Wednesday, September 30th saw the final round of the 2015 OCAA Golf Championship contested at Hunters Pointe Golf Course in Welland, and the results proved to be golden for the host Niagara College Knights. The team captured three gold medals in the men's team, men's individual, and women's individual divisions.
The 54-hole, three day event saw 85 golfers representing 15 Ontario Collegiate Athletic institutions take to the links while battling the elements, nerves, and fellow competitors in search of 12 provincial medals up for grabs.
After two days of wet and rainy weather to open the event, conditions improved significantly for the final round. High winds late in the day gave spectators an exciting finish as many golfers elected to take high risks in favourable wind conditions in search of low scores.
"These last three days gave us a phenomenal glimpse of the talent that exist across the OCAA" said OCAA golf convenor Jay Shewfelt. "Hunters Pointe, Niagara College, the Golf Association of Ontario, and most importantly the student-athlete competitors all combined to put on a fantastic event that featured a truly exciting finish."
In the men's team division the Niagara Knights edged out the nine-time defending champion Humber Hawks by just one stroke, turning in a 54 hole total of 866. The Knights were paced by fourth year player Evan Littlefield. The Thunder Bay native carded a final round 1-under (69), to lift the Knights to their first men's team OCAA Championship since the 1975-76 season. Littlefield shot a three round 1-under (212) to capture the men's individual title. Josiah Dixon (Stevensville) captured the men's individual bronze medal shooting +8 (218). Rounding out the Knights team was Logan Lammerant, Mark Wikkerink, Zack Bankuti.
The Hawks, who trailed by 14 strokes after the opening day, closed the gap to just three at the end of round two. The two teams both played outstanding golf over the final 18 rounds, and the overall winner was not determined until the final putt of the round. The Hawks were paced by Scott Benzoni who shot a final round even par 70 to finish in second place in the men's individual division, just two strokes back of Littlefield. Christian McCullough of Humber finished in a tie for the bronze medal with Dixon of Niagara. The rest of the Humber side consisted of Barrett McCarthy, Michael Vance, and Will Gavarkos.
The Georgian Grizzlies captured the men's team bronze medal. The team of Daniel Knapp, Matt Lemay, Brady Zordan, Aidan Dunphy, and Jonathon Collins recorded a three day total of 911.
On the women's side the Georgian Grizzlies carded a three day total of +44 (464), giving the team an impressive 11 stroke victory. The Grizzlies were paced by the strong play of Emilie Tyndall who finished at +20 (230) giving her the women's individual silver medal. Corey Pond finished in fourth place, and Sady Beelik rounded out the Georgian roster.
Riding an individual bronze medal performance by Sheila McKeen (+27, 236) the Humber Hawks captured the women's team silver medal. The Hawks posted a three day total of 475, and received strong play from Sonia Nagindas and Michaela DiMarcantonio.
The St. Clair Saints team of Laura Martin, Victoria Ducharme, and Jordan Schatz won the women's team bronze medal, shooting a three day total of 494.
Defending CCAA Champion Lorelle Weavers of the Niagara Knights entered the final round trailing Georgian's Emilie Tyndall by two strokes. The Burlington native captured her first OCAA gold medal after carding an impressive final round 75 to give her a three day total of 226 (+16).
"I'm so proud of our entire team" said Niagara College golf coach Cameron Thin. "We had an amazing team only meeting last night (Tuesday) and we discussed the situation heading into the final day. We knew we were facing a tough third day, but everyone, to a player, remained focussed on a team first approach and I think that proved to be the difference maker for us."
The event also saw St. Clair Saints head coach Kevin Corriveau named OCAA coach of the year. The award is voted on by head coaches from all participating OCAA golf institutions. Additionally Lorelle Weavers, Emilie Tyndall, Evan Littlefield, and Scott Benzoni were named Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association All-Canadians.
The top four men's teams (Niagara, Humber, Georgian, and Durham) and top two women's teams (Georgian and Humber) will now advance CCAA National Championship being held October 13-16 at the Chilliwack Golf Club in B.C.
