After the season's first event, the Fanshawe Invitational, was rained out last weekend, the Knights officially completed their first tournament of the season at the Georgian Invitational on Thursday. Niagara captured three medals at the event, including a team bronze and a pair of individual silver medals.
Lorelle Weavers (Burlington), the defending OCAA women's champion, fired a four-over 76 to claim the silver medal. After a frustrating front nine, Weavers dialed it in on the back nine for an overall 76. With her performance the two time CCAA All-Canadian earns her seventh medal at an OCAA invitational event. This is in addition to her 2014 CCAA National Championship gold medal and OCAA silver medal, and 2015 OCAA Championship golf medal. With a strong start to the season, Lorelle will once again be in the conversation as one of the nation's best female collegiate golfers.
On the men's side of the draw, Josiah Dixon (Bognor) fired a three-under 69 to finish in a tie for the silver medal. The defending OCAA bronze medalist was the low golfer on the day for the Knights. Collectively Niagara put in a bronze medal performance, firing a cumulative 294 to finish only five strokes back of the host Georgian Grizzlies for gold. Ben Kenel - 73 (Hamilton), Evan Littlefield - 75 (Thunder Bay), Logan Lammarant - 77 (Seaforth), and Nick Schepens - 82 (London) rounded out the scoring for Niagara. Competing as individuals, Brett Shewchuk (Thunder Bay) and Austin Golding (Dunnville) shot 74 and 86 respectively.
Head Coach Cameron Thin believes the Knights team has more in the tank at the upcoming events. "We feel that we didn't bring our 'A' game today," said Thin. "However, the fact that we finished third while not playing well is a testament to the talent level of this team and the expectation level they have placed upon one another."
The Knights will next hit the links on September 25th at the Brock Invitiational at Sawmill Golf Course in Fenwick. They will return to their home turf, Hunters Pointe Golf Course, on September 26th as they play host to the Knights Fall Classic.
