BATTLEFORDS PROVINCIAL PARK - Battle West Athletics hosted district golf competition for area schools on Sept. 14 at the Jackfish Lodge Golf Course. The top four golfers in each boys and girls division advance to Sask. HIgh School Athletics Provincial competition, which will take place at Rosthern Valley Regional Park Golf Course Sept 24-25.
Unity Composite High school sent four golfers in both the boy's and girls division, coached by Kyla Snell, along with Brent O'Donnell.
UCHS now has three golfers moving on to upcoming SHSAA provincial golf competition. Denim O'Donnell earned gold and Hunter Sperle won bronze, both are in Grade 12. Denis Fineday from Spiritwood was the silver medallist.
Thomas Snell, who initially missed the playoff cut by one stroke in a playoff hole has now been advised he will also be part of the UCHS golfing squad heading to provincials as one of the other top four who qualified is unable to make the provincial event.
Layne Parker was the other member of the UCHS team.
Denim shot an 83 for gold, while Hunter scored an 85 fo bronze. Thomas tied with two others at 87, forcing them into a play-off hole, placing him in fifth, just outside of a provincial berth. However, it was recently announced that a top four qualifier from another school was unable to attend provincials, thus allowing Snell to advance to provincials.
Although the girls were not able to make the top four, the UCHS team of Reagan Husch, Kristina Hansen, Erika Bretzer and Dahlia Rafid-Hamed had a great showing.
Coach Snell said, "With the girls all being Grade 11's, I am hopeful they keep playing and will be contenders in this event next year."
O'Donnell and Sperle participated this summer on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, enabling them to sharpen their golf skills for this event. Both are also members of the Unity and Atton's Lake Golf Clubs. O'Donnell also captured the Junior Club Championship at the Unity Golf Club on Sept. 11 weekend.
Coach Snell adds, "I'm so proud of these golfers. The boys played great and it was fantastic to have a girl's team competing again as it has been a few years."
UCHS will be cheering loud for their golfers when they head to SHSAA provincial championships in a couple of weeks.
