The Queen’s men’s golf team have teed it up on the big stage.
Following a trip to Levis, Quebec, the men’s golf team competed over the week of June 15 to in the Canadian University and College Championship. The annual individual and team tournament is qualified through the OUA season in the fall and is the last event of the calendar.
READ MORE: Queens men’s golf prepares for national championship
Round one of three commenced on June 15, where the 20 teams competing all start at the same position, hoping to outscore their opponents and take the national trophy. Queen’s got off to a hot start in the team portion, firing a combined 283, good for first place on the day.
The team’s highlight on day one was Luke Macpherson, Sci ’27, shooting a Queens golf record in a national championship by shooting a six-under 66. His performance saw him standing all alone at the top with a one-shot lead. Cameron Greatrex, Sci ’29, contributed as well with a three-under 69 alongside seven birdies, putting him in a tie for fifth place in the individual competition.
The second round saw Queen’s lead dwindle as golf powerhouses University of British Columbia and University of British Columbia Okanagan put on the pressure and fired 274 respectively with all their scorers posting rounds under par. The Gaels tried to hang on as best they could but ultimately ended day two with a 299, putting them in a tie for 5th.
While normally a four-round event, on the third and final round due to weather the Gaels battled the elements and carved out a 302 to finish the tournament tied for eighth place. On the individual side, Macpherson scored the lowest on the team, finishing one over par in a tie for 18th place out of 105.
Macpherson sat down with The Journal to discuss and reminisce on the premier event, explaining the course fit well into his game.
“I could hit driver basically everywhere, which allowed me to get a little aggressive and try to make a lot of birdies,” Macpherson said.
He also explained they met a local during the practice round who told them the course record.
“I asked the guy what’s the course record here, and when he said 65, I told him I was going to shoot 64,” he said. “He kind of laughed in my face, and honestly I’ve never shot that before but I was petty determined.”
What started as a little joke almost turned into a reality when Macpherson shot 66 on the first day, taking the solo lead.
“I didn’t look at the scoreboard all day, I was just in a groove,” Macpherson said. “Being at the top of the leaderboard at nationals in both team and individual was a new feeling.”
Macpherson believes that what led to their success was the overall team chemistry and the growing experience they took from previous events. “We felt like we belong, its going to be different next year but excited for the new faces coming in.”
Macpherson and the Gaels will continue their momentum this fall with high hopes coming off a successful season.
Tags
Golf national championship, Le Tempete Golf Club
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