For Queen’s golf, there’s simply no place like home.
On Sept. 14 the Gael’s hosted the Bert Kea Memorial Invitational— honouring former Queen’s coach Bert Kea, who led the program for nearly two decades between 2000-17—at the Cataraqui Golf and Country Club. Queen’s men’s side captured the team title, while the women narrowly missed a repeat win, finishing second by a single stroke.
“The Bert Kea [Invitational] is super special,” Head Coach Jessie Mercer said in an interview with The Journal. “Being able to honour and recognize his efforts is really cool.” Kea passed away in 2023, but the event will continue to ensure that his legacy through his work with Queen’s sports and the Ontario golf community is recognized by generations of Gaels to come.
Reigning OUA champion Daniel Abraha, Comm ’26, headlined the day, going three under par to win the men’s individual event on his home course. “It was pretty cool for Dan,” Mercer said. “Being a Kingston kid, a member at Cataraqui, to get that home win at the Bert Kea in his last chance, it’s something he’s wanted his whole university career.”
Rookie Cameron Greatrex, Sci ’29, emerged as a key player, finishing 3rd overall with one under par. Alex Osborn, Comm ’27, Kendrick Webster, Sci ’27, and Luke Macpherson, Sci ’26, finished even par, tying for 4th in the event.
At her first-ever collegiate event, Hannah Lee, HealthSci ’29, tied fifth overall in the women’s individual competition, finishing six over par. Gella McDaniel, ArtSci ’27, finished eight with nine over par, and Marlow Slatter, Kin ’27, rounded out the top ten, tying for ninth with ten over par.
The Gaels’ primary men’s team, consisting of Abraha, Osborn, Webster, Macpherson, and Ryan Crowley, ConEd ’26, won their team event by five strokes, narrowly edging Wilfred Laurier University, who won the event last year.
Queen’s primary women’s team, featuring Lee, McDaniel, Slater, and Ellen Gilday, Sci ’26, took second in an ultra-competitive top four. The Gaels finished second overall behind Laurier, who won by just a stroke. Bishop’s University matched Queen’s total but lost the tiebreaker on third-best individual scores, giving the Gaels the edge. The secondary women’s team finished sixth out of eight teams, with a total score of 59 over par.
Mercer praised the group for stepping into big roles. “Only one of the four girls who went to Nationals last year is back,” she said, referring to McDaniel. “But our new players and returnees really filled those gaps.”
Regarding the rookie Lee’s performance, Mercer was happy, but not surprised, saying, “I wasn’t surprised to see her make the jump. But it was really great to see it happen, it’s a different scene when you’re playing for someone other than yourself,” she said.
Next, Queen’s golf will travel to St. Catherines, ON., to compete at the Brock Invitational on Sept. 21, as they continue to gear up for the OUA Championship later this fall.
Tags
Bert Kea, Bert Kea Memorial Invitational, Golf, Jessie Mercer
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