In the words of Aubrey Graham the Niagara Knights golf team went, "Back to back like Jordan '96 '97." The Knights captured four medals, including three golds and one bronze, for the second consecutive year at the 2016 OCAA Golf Championship, presented by Belairdirect.
Lorelle Weavers (Burlington) captured the second OCAA gold medal of her career with a three round total of 230, earning a one stroke victory over the Georgian Grizzlies Addison Wallwin. Rounds of 73, 78, and 79 were enough for Weavers to solidify herself as the preeminent female collegiate golfer in the province. She grabbed the lead after a strong day one performance at National Pines Golf Course in Innisfil and never let go.
Weavers spent the week with Wallwin on her tail the entire way. She held a one stroke lead over the Grizzlies golfer following day one, and extended the lead to three following the tournament's second round. On day three Wallwin made her push on Georgian's home course, narrowing the gap to two at the turn. However, a birdie by Weavers on her 17th hole extended the lead back to two. Although giving one back on the tournament's final hole, Weavers held on to add the gold to her already extensive medal collection.
On the men's side of the draw, Josiah Dixon (Bognor) and Evan Littlefield (Thunder Bay) both found the podium for Niagara. Dixon returns to Niagara with gold, while Littlefield rounded out the podium with a bronze medal performance.
Dixon was dominant throughout the week, posting three rounds of even par or better en route to victory. After finishing the first round tied for second, one stroke back of the leader, Dixon took control. A four-under 68 was enough to propel him into first, grabbing a three stroke lead over Humber's Christian McCullough entering the final day.
A string of three straight birdies on eight, nine, and 10 extended Dixon's lead to five strokes with just eight holes to play. The lead proved to be too much for a comeback and Dixon carded an even par 72 to capture his first OCAA Championship. He finished the tournament at 6-under par for a three day total of 210.
Teammate Evan Littlefield, the defending champion, entered play on the third day in sixth place. Starting three strokes out of a medal contention, Littlefield save his best for last. He carded a one-under 71 for a three day, which completed a three day total of a 2-over 218. He performance leapfrogged a trio of golfers to capture a medal for the second straight season.
The results are a reversal from one year ago, where Littlefield captured gold and Dixon nabbed the bronze at the 2015 OCAA Championship. Despite the change, the Knights men maintained their crown as the province's top team.
The play of Dixon and Littlefield were bolstered by the remainder of their Knights teammates, as Niagara captured the men's team championship for the second straight year. Heading into the final round trailing by three strokes, the Knights made up five strokes to take the gold medal over the host Georgian Grizzlies.
Dixon, Littlefield, Ben Kenel (Hamilton), Brett Shewchuk (Thunder Bay), and Logan Lammerant (Seaforth) teamed up to record a three day total of 894 to maintain their hold on the championship. The Knights improved their standing each day of play throughout the event. They were third after the first round, second after two rounds, and found themselves standing along at the top following day three.
The Knights will now head to PEI on October 17th to compete in the 2016 PING CCAA National Golf National Championship, hosted by Holland College. The Knights men are the defending silver medalists in the team event, while Weavers finished just out of the medals in fourth.
