A total of 82 players in four divisions competed in the BC Golf Association’s Bantam and Novice boys and girls championships amid COVID-19 regulations at the Mount Brenton Golf Course last week.
“Cups were modified to reduce contact points,” noted Mount Brenton head professional Jan Best. “Parents were only allowed to drop kids off and then basically leave. There was no hanging around allowed.”
He added there were 15 volunteers and four rules officials to oversee the two-day event.
Mount Brenton’s shorter course in length is always a challenge no matter what the age group with tricky pin placements, conveniently-placed hazards and fairway doglegs.
“Mount Brenton does it again,” noted Best. “Strong defence by the course. Not an easy track.”
First-round leader Matt Wilson of Nanaimo found that out the hard way in the Bantam boys field of 48 players. He was the leader after the first day with a one-under-par 70, but shot 76 the second day for a 146 total and fell back to a tie for fourth.
Daniel Bennett of Gorge Vale was the runaway leader in the division after shooting 72 and then a blistering 64 the second day for a 136 total. He had 11 birdies and one eagle over the two rounds.
Roy Baek of Swan-e-Set Bay Resort in Coquitlam was the runner-up at 142 (72-70), carding nine birdies along the way, and Ryan Vest from Predator Ridge in Vernon came third at 143 (72-71).
Ryan Liang of Point Grey (75-71) and William Tu of Shaughnessy (72-74) joined Wilson at 146.
Brendan O’Brien wound up tied for 17th, but was one of the birdie leaders with seven.
In the Bantam girls division, Michelle Liu from Shaughnessy led the field of 18 players with a 142 from rounds of 72 and 70. She also recorded eight birdies.
Chelsea Truong of Victoria (75-73–148) was second, with Yeji Kwon of Port Coquitlam’s Westwood Plateau course (81-68–149) placing third, Katherine Hao of Fraserview in Burnaby (75-75–150) fourth and Vanessa Zhang of Marine Drive (76-76–152) fifth.
The Novice boys event was a dead heat between Lucas Vizzutti of Myrtle Point in Powell River and Shaughnessy’s Luke Van Alstine with 62 points apiece. Local favourite Zachary Grisdale of Cowichan Golf & Country Club came third with 58 points.
Sophia Mackenzie of Arbutus Ridge Golf Club in Cobble Hill claimed top spot for the Novice girls with 70 points.