When the Gael’s Golf Team headed out West at the beginning of June, they swung big.
For the first time since 2018, both of Queen’s Golf teams competed in Kamloops, B.C., from June 3 to 6 at Golf Canada’s Canadian University/College Championship. The event serves as the national championship for Canadian student-athletes, featuring over 20 schools and 150 competitors from across the country.
The men’s team made the cut for all four rounds, placing as high as third at the halfway point before slipping to seventh place with a +39. Their finish was first among all Ontario universities at the event, signaling improvement on an already remarkable bronze medal at the OUA Golf Championship in October. Coach Jessie Mercer told The Journal in an interview that this is Queen’s best score relative to par since the competition’s inception in 2003.
On the other hand, the women’s team was competitive throughout most of the tournament but missed the cut for the final round. Finishing second among Ontario university teams, the Gaels ended the tournament with an +85, signaling growth for the reigning OUA Women’s Golf bronze medallists.
Individually, the Gaels made their mark. Kiley Rodrigues, ConEd ’25, posted a +17—good for 10th place overall and the top finish among Ontario golfers. It marks Queen’s first top-10 result at the women’s tournament since Robyn Campbell, ConEd ’18, placed sixth in 2015.
For Rodrigues, this season marked a return to competitive golf after a few years away following her time playing in the U.S.
“I was really excited to compete again,” she said in an interview with The Journal. “It was awesome to see the results and finish near the top. Having Jessie [Mercer] and the team behind me definitely helped me play better.”
On the men’s side, standout Daniel Abraha, Comm ’26, led the competition after the first round, ending with a formidable -1 to tie for 10th in the nation. Gaels Luke Macpherson, Sci ’26, and Kendrick Webster, Sci ’27, tied for 31st with scores of +13 each. Ryan Crowley, ConEd ’26, tied for 34th with a +14, and Alex Osborn, Comm ’27, placed 50th with a +32.
For Queen’s Golf Head Coach Jessie Mercer, this is just the beginning. She explains that returning to Nationals for the first time since 2018 was a big step for the program, adding that consistent appearances help put Queen’s back on the national radar.
Mercer praised the camaraderie her team displayed and credited them for upholding the team culture seen in all of the top teams at this level. She was proud of her entire team and highlighted the aforementioned Abraha and Rodrigues.
The coach also highlighted Kendrick Webster for finishing an up-and-down season with a strong showing on the biggest stage. While Mercer stayed humble, Rodrigues credited her leadership and the supportive team atmosphere as key to their success.
The Gaels Golf team kick off their next season at home, hosting the Bert Kea Memorial Invitational on Sept. 14.
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