For the first time in two decades, a Canmore Collegiate High School team has won back to back provincial championships.
Competing in Sherwood Park, near Edmonton, the senior girls golf team won the provincial title by 20 strokes, Sept. 24-25.
“The last time we won back to back provincial championships was back in ’93 and ’94, when we won boys basketball,” said Carole Nelson, the school’s athletic director.
“They golfed two days, 18 holes each day, and these girls came out ahead by 20 strokes of their nearest opposition,” said Nelson. “I think the biggest factor is that we had three girls who were able to shoot around the 90 mark and any opposition we had maybe had only one girl on the team who was able to do that.”
At the zone championship, held earlier this season in Strathmore, the team also took first place. Last year, they finished second in zones, then went on to win the provincials.
The team consists of four students, ranging from Grades 10 to 12: Angela Cooke, Laura Ferreira, Emily Munro and Amanda Ferreira.
“They were up 15 after the first round and ended up winning it by 20,” explained Nelson. “A lead of 15 strokes is really not that insurmountable, so they knew they had to go into that second round and still golf the way they were capable of golfing and the fact that we had girls improve their scores, enabled us to walk away with the banner and that was a really good feeling.”
The courses they played were Belvedere Golf & Country Club and Broadmoor Golf Course, said Cooke.
“The first was a little tougher; it was a private course, so a lot of blind holes,” she said. “The second day was easier – shorter holes and easier to get to.”
There was some strong competition, she said.
“There were quite a few individuals there that I’ve competed with over the years who are really into it and really good,” said Cooke. “I think us going into it, we all golf all year, so I think we’re one step ahead of everybody else.”
Blind holes were one of the biggest challenges, said Munro.
“Some of the blind holes on the first day were challenging – when you can’t see where you’re aiming – you have to go by where the scorecard tells you,” she said. “It’s guesswork when you don’t know what’s on the other side of a giant hill, you have to hope it ends up being good.
“There was also one point when the tournament was on television and that’s always stressful.”
Another challenge was making sure the other players record the correct scores, said Amanda.
“Golf is a game of honesty and integrity, so it’s up to the players to be honest with themselves and with others, based on how they’re playing,” she said.
Bringing home the championship banner was their dream, said Laura.
“Angie and I came into this year wanting to secure the banner for our senior year, and we did, so we couldn’t ask for more,” she said. “I’ve been looking into scholarship opportunities in the States. It’s always been a dream to one day make it to the LPGA.
“This summer I was golfing every day, I tried really hard to compete outside of school.”
Consistency was the key to the victory, said Nelson.
“So combined with Emily’s heroic feats on the second day, I think the consistency of our other three golfers to shoot their best was definitely instrumental in winning the championship,” she said.
Now that the season is over, the girls will turn to other sports and, for the graduating players, look at possible scholarship opportunities in the future.
“Three of the four are involved in volleyball, a couple will play basketball, some will play badminton and curling,” said Nelson. “They’re a good bunch of athletes, stellar golfers, provincial champions.
“Scholarship opportunities abound in girl’s golf,” she added. “Girls who shoot under 90 stand a great chance of getting scholarships and these girls have a lot of promise if they choose to go that way.”
