Canada’s top University and College golfers will convene at King’s Forest Golf Course in Hamilton, Ont., starting today through to May 29, to compete in the seventh playing of the Canadian University/College Championship conducted by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA).
The Varsity Blues men’s team is in a great position to compete for the championship and look to make a major improvement on their ninth-place finish in 2008. The 2008 OUA champions are led by veteran players Mark Bania (Kitchener, Ont.), Scott Samuel (Toronto) and Adrian Cord (Toronto). Richard Persaud (Scarborough, Ont.) has returned from injury and, along with rookie Daly Kim, will add depth and talent to an already-potent line-up.
"Our men's team is very strong, and will be looking to challenge for the championship this year,” said Varsity Blues general manager Chris Tortorice. “On any given day, any one of the five players is a threat to contribute an under-par round. The King's Forest course is a long and challenging test, and it should suit our players.”
On the women's side, three-time OUA champion Danielle Greene (Gananoque, Ont.) is expected to be in the running for a top finish. She is joined by a veterans Jane Jhung (Toronto), Sarah Devonshire (Kingston, Ont.) and Michelle Lee (Scarborough, Ont), who are looking to improve on their 10th place finish in 2008.
"Danielle is expected to lead our women's team,” added Tortorice. “Her length off the tee and overall consistency from tee to green makes her a threat to win at King's Forest.”
The field will be comprised of 20 men’s and 10 women’s teams as well as six individuals. The competition begins Monday, May 25 with a practice round and opening ceremonies at King’s Forest. Following Thursday’s third round, the field will be reduced to the top 10 men’s and the top five women’s teams, as well as any individuals within 15 strokes of the lead.
At last year’s championship, the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds defeated the University of Victoria (UVic) Vikes to capture the school’s first-ever men’s team title. In women’s play, the Vikes captured the crown, spoiling UBC’s try for a sixth-consecutive title. Solid play by UBC’s Andrew Robb and UVic’s Christina Spence earned the B.C. natives the individual men’s and women’s titles.
As part of the RCGA’s Pathway to Champions, both the male and female individuals achieving the low score after 72 holes (four rounds) of play will earn an exemption into the 2009 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Club de golf Le Blainvillier in Blainville, Que., and the 2009 Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship held at Royal Oaks Golf Links in Moncton, N.B., respectively.
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