FITZSIMMONS TIES FOR SECOND AS WESTERN WINS WATERLOO INVITATIONAL
October 6, 2008
CAMBRIDGE, Ont. - The two-day Waterloo Invitational was played on the very difficult 7,000-yard Whistle Bear Golf Club near Kitchener Oct. 4-5 and Western literally blew away their 10-university competition.
Western's men's team shot an even-par total on Saturday of 288 and a team total of 294 (6 over par) on Sunday to win by 15 shots over second-place Waterloo.
"This is an unheard of gap between the top two teams," said coach Jim Waite. "Local convenors and the Whistle Bear Pro were very vocal in their praise of the Western team stating that a 6 over par total over two days is a phenomenal achievement on this very difficult course."
Led by captain Charles Fitzsimmons (Toronto, Ont.), who shot 70-74 for an even par total of 144, the team also featured great showings by the four remaining members of the team.
Rookie Greg Gable (Ancaster, Ont.) was 2 under par 70 in his first round before fading a bit on the final day. Andrew Zanatta, after a disappointing 78 on Day 1, roared back with a 73 on Day 2.
Second-year players Johnny Hall (Langton, Ont.) and Alex Hrycko (Toronto, Ont.) were both very consistent over the two days with 147 and 148 totals respectively.
Sixth player Mike Johnson (London, Ont.) turned in a fine 75 on Day 2, after an opening round of 81.
"It was a total team effort in achieving their goal of winning at least one tournament in OUA play before the provincial finals in Hamilton," Waite said. "The second part of our goal is to medal in every tournament we play this year, and is still in place."
The low score for the tournament was turned in by Patrick Forbes (Toronto, Ont.) of Queen's who shot 70, 72 for a 142 total. Fitzsimmons and Laurentian's John Atherton (Toronto, Ont.) tied with 144 totals, two shots behind Forbes.
"A team total of under 300 is the measuring rod of excellent golf," according to Waterloo coach Dave Hollinger. "The men from London set new benchmarks with totals of 288 and 294 at the difficult Whistle Bear Golf Course."
Finishing third in the 11-team field was Queen's, while fourth place was awarded to Laurentian. Toronto rounded out the Top 5.
Western continued its play on Oct. 6 at the Cutten Club, placing second, as they tune up for the OUA Championship at Crosswinds Country Club in Hamilton later in the month.
All five Mustangs golfers finished in the Top 10 overall in a field of 55.
Western's final tournament before the finals will be held at Rebel Creek in Kitchener on Tuesday Oct. 14.
TEAM SCORES
1. Western - 582
2. Waterloo - 597
3. Queen's - 617 (won tiebreaker for 3rd place on fifth-man's score)
4. Laurentian - 617
5. Toronto - 625
6. Humber College - 625
7. Carleton - 626 (won on 5th man's score)
8. McMaster - 626
9. Wilfrid Laurier - 632
10. Windsor - 639
11. Guelph - 646
Source: Mustangs Athletics
Photo credit: Craig Glover
Western's men's team shot an even-par total on Saturday of 288 and a team total of 294 (6 over par) on Sunday to win by 15 shots over second-place Waterloo.
"This is an unheard of gap between the top two teams," said coach Jim Waite. "Local convenors and the Whistle Bear Pro were very vocal in their praise of the Western team stating that a 6 over par total over two days is a phenomenal achievement on this very difficult course."
Led by captain Charles Fitzsimmons (Toronto, Ont.), who shot 70-74 for an even par total of 144, the team also featured great showings by the four remaining members of the team.
Rookie Greg Gable (Ancaster, Ont.) was 2 under par 70 in his first round before fading a bit on the final day. Andrew Zanatta, after a disappointing 78 on Day 1, roared back with a 73 on Day 2.
Second-year players Johnny Hall (Langton, Ont.) and Alex Hrycko (Toronto, Ont.) were both very consistent over the two days with 147 and 148 totals respectively.
Sixth player Mike Johnson (London, Ont.) turned in a fine 75 on Day 2, after an opening round of 81.
"It was a total team effort in achieving their goal of winning at least one tournament in OUA play before the provincial finals in Hamilton," Waite said. "The second part of our goal is to medal in every tournament we play this year, and is still in place."
The low score for the tournament was turned in by Patrick Forbes (Toronto, Ont.) of Queen's who shot 70, 72 for a 142 total. Fitzsimmons and Laurentian's John Atherton (Toronto, Ont.) tied with 144 totals, two shots behind Forbes.
"A team total of under 300 is the measuring rod of excellent golf," according to Waterloo coach Dave Hollinger. "The men from London set new benchmarks with totals of 288 and 294 at the difficult Whistle Bear Golf Course."
Finishing third in the 11-team field was Queen's, while fourth place was awarded to Laurentian. Toronto rounded out the Top 5.
Western continued its play on Oct. 6 at the Cutten Club, placing second, as they tune up for the OUA Championship at Crosswinds Country Club in Hamilton later in the month.
All five Mustangs golfers finished in the Top 10 overall in a field of 55.
Western's final tournament before the finals will be held at Rebel Creek in Kitchener on Tuesday Oct. 14.
TEAM SCORES
1. Western - 582
2. Waterloo - 597
3. Queen's - 617 (won tiebreaker for 3rd place on fifth-man's score)
4. Laurentian - 617
5. Toronto - 625
6. Humber College - 625
7. Carleton - 626 (won on 5th man's score)
8. McMaster - 626
9. Wilfrid Laurier - 632
10. Windsor - 639
11. Guelph - 646
Source: Mustangs Athletics
Photo credit: Craig Glover