The Niagara Knights golf team is heading westward to take part in the 2016 Canadian University/College Championship in Parksville, BC. Running from May 31st to June 3 at the Morning Star Golf Club, the Knights will be competing against the best college and university programs that the country has to offer.
The Knights golfers are coming off their most successful season to date this past fall. The men's team captured the 2015 OCAA Championship, with team members Evan Littlefield (Thunder Bay) and Josiah Dixon (Bognor) capturing the individual gold and bronze medals respectively. On the women's side of the draw, Lorelle Weavers (Burlington) captured the 2015 OCAA Individual Championship and is hoping to strike gold once again. For their efforts Littlefield and Weavers were named All-Canadians. It marked the second straight season that Weavers had earned the accolade. Weavers will serve as Niagara's lone representative at the championship.
Entering this week's event the Knights will look to ride the momentum they generated during the fall season. On top of their OCAA success, the Niagara men captured the silver medal at the 2015 PING CCAA National Championships in October. They held the lead on the final day before ultimately succumbing to the eventual champion Camosun Chargers. At the championship Mark Wikkerink (Trenton) led the Knights with a sixth place finish, earning himself an All-Tournament nod. The key to success for the Knights will be relying upon the depth they possess throughout the lineup. Littlefield, Dixon, and Wikkerink are joined by Logan Lammerant (Seaforth) and Nick Schepens (London) to round out the squad heading to BC.
Weavers, the 2014 CCAA Women's National Champion, followed up her OCAA gold medal with a fourth place finish at the 2015 CCAA Championship. As the Knights only female, Niagara is unable to compete in the team portion of the championship. However, Weavers past success at previous provincial and national events make her an instant threat to contend for the individual championship in BC. Her experience in high pressure situations will surely come into play, and could serve to be a difference maker if she finds herself in contention on the final day.
"All my competitive experience is going to be helpful throughout this event," Weavers said of her previous championship victories. "However, golf is such an unpredictable sport, I am sure we will have to overcome some adversity this week," she added. "I am confident that we will be able to overcome any and all challenges that we face individually and as a team."
The Knights are one of five CCAA programs competing in the event. On the men's side Niagara will be joined by the Camosun Chargers, UFV Cascades, and the Georgian Grizzlies. Weavers will be joined on the women's side by the Humber Hawks.
Despite limited practice time as a team, Head Coach Cameron Thin is confident his group has the ability be in the mix for gold on Friday. "Everyone is confident with their games entering the tournament and are looking forward to competing in BC this week," said Thin. With the team members having returned to their respective hometowns following the completion of the academic year, the team is looking forward to getting together again. Thin added, "Our team dynamic is our strength, so I believe we will pick up right where we left off."
The 2016 event will feature 20 men's teams and 12 women's teams, plus individuals, from across the country vying for the national championship titles. Following the third round, the field will be reduced to the top 10 men's teams and top six women's teams, in addition to any individuals within 15 shots of the lead.
Additional information regarding the 2016 championship, including participants and results, can be found here.
-With files from CCAA
