It’s safe to say the Queen’s golf team that the Canadian University/College Golf Championships wasn’t their best outing. Although the Gaels had a strong finish at the 2016 event, as well as a promising qualifying finish at the 2016 OUA championship, neither the male or female team made the final round of the Canadian Championships.
This championship is run through Golf Canada and was established to give the best Canadian university and college golfing talent the chance to compete nationally. The event is also used as the Canadian team qualifying event for the World University Golf Championship.
Going into the tournament,the Queen’s teams had a promising outlook. During the 2016-17 season, the men’s team had won bronze at the OUA championship, while the women’s team finished just shy of the podium fourth place. Women’s team captain Robyn Campbell won an individual silver for her strong performance.
Unfortunately, this success didn’t carry over. Both teams missed the final cut, rendering them unable to compete on the final day. Overall, the men’s team finished 12th and the women’s team finished last.
Golfer Michael Reaume commented on the team’s performance at the event, stating “unfortunately, none of us played to our potential. Last fall, we won five of seven tournaments that we competed in, so we were really hoping to end our season on a high note.”
The men’s team was missing their captain Chris Murray — a key player with valuable leadership abilities — because he was still on exchange. Reaume felt Murray was the missing link and without him the team struggled.
The team’s coach, Bert Kea also commented on Murray’s absence. “We went into the Canadians with the same amount of preparation as last year except our captain Chris Murray was not available due to being on exchange. I am sure if he had been there we would have made the top 10 and been in the finals as a team,” Kea said.
A coach for 18 years, Kea praised the Gaels for their dedication and hard work.
“At the event, my experience is very exciting, living with the ups and downs of the players. Seeing them grinding to do their best and not ever giving up. Working with such a talented and dedicated group of athletes is the reason I keep doing it,” he said.
Despite both team’s disappointing performance at the event, Reaume and rookie Parker Lobban made it to the third round in the separate, individual play competition. Reaume tied for 27th with +26 overall. Lobban finished close behind Reaume, tying 31st with an overall +28.
Despite the underwhelming performance, Coach Kea sees the tournament as a positive learning experience for the Gaels as they continue their journey through the OUA competition.
“My hopes for the upcoming season is to improve with both the men’s and women’s teams during the OUA season. As the core for the teams will be back I have great expectations. With the help of Coaches Sandy McBride, Kristen MacLaren and Brad Revell, I am sure we will do well,” Kea said.
The 2017-2018 season will begin in September with the Carleton Invitational and the Queen’s Invitational at Cataraqui Golf & Country Club.
Tags
Gaels Athletics, Golf, Sports, women's golf
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