For Haley Hewer it was like any other day out on the Penticton Golf and Country Club golf course, except this time she walked away with her third junior golf championship.
“It felt good to reclaim the trophy,” said Hewer, who last won the championship two years ago and stood beside Kurtis Fontinha, who was the male division winner. “I was really happy with the 76 and it probably could have been a little lower.”
Hewer, who also plays on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf tour (MJT), said that playing on the familiar course helped her finish on top. The 17-year-old shot a 155 at the tournament.
“It was kind of nice to just have a laid back kind of tournament,” she said. “It’s nice to have another thing to put on your golf resume.”
Finishing in second was Honor Hollman, followed by Kathryn Hollman and Jodie Wiltse. Hewer, who was a runner-up last year, said that Coates did not play due to an injury.
Hewer also had good results recently on the MJT finishing second in the 2014 Ford Series at Kelowna’s Harvest Golf Clubs and earned the same result at Predator Ridge on Aug.11 to 12.
Fontinha captured the male championship from Zachary Gardner.
Fontinha, who shot a 69, then 85, said his second round wasn’t as strong after he made a couple of mistakes, however, he is glad his overall performance was strong enough to win.
“l felt my swing was good, solid for the two days,” said Fontinha, 19. “I played as hard as I could.”
Fontinha said the competition was strong as some players have provincial experience. He said winning is a confidence boost as his season turned around after a slow start.
“It means a lot,” he said of winning the championship. “Good to get my name on the plaque. A good memory to have.”
Nate Milligan took first in the 17 to 18 age group with Eric Eastman finishing second. In the 14-16 group, Landon Stellingwerff came out on top with Declan Riddle taking second. In the youngest group, 12-14, Jack McLennan was first with Noah Johnson second.
The low net winner was Jack Black, followed by Nathan Bendig, Aiden Hutchinson and Jackson Coates.