Cnadian Optimist Junior Golf National Championships - 2007 Highlights

One hundred and ninety one top junior golfers from Alberta to Quebec teed it up in Ingersoll, Ontario at the 16th Annual Canadian Optimist National Championships. Montana golfers from the Canadian/United States Optimist District again participated in the 54 hole championships. The Champion in each of the six age divisions received an invitation to attend the prestigious 2008 Optimist International Junior Golf Championships at the PGA National Resort and SPA in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

The weather was very good and the Ingersoll Golf and Country Club course was again in perfect condition. The competition over the three days was extremely tight and three of the six age divisions required a play-off decide their champion.

Boys 16-18 Division - Heading into the final round there were ten players within three strokes of each other which opened up all kinds of possibilities. When play ended, Jamie Dodds of St. Thomas, Ontario carded a 75 to pull into a tie with Brad Atenhoff of Burlington, Ontario. Both finished the tournament with a stroke total of 226. Brad won the play-off on the first hole of the play-off.

Boys 14-15 Division - Another division where 54 holes of play wasn't enough to have a champion emerge. Evan Cowan of Coaldale, Alberta shot a 73 on the last day to move from fifth place to a first place tie with Dan Boyd of Forest, Ontario. Evan won the championship on the second play-off hole. His play improved each day of the tournament finishing with a 227 total (78-76-73). Cory Nathan of Sarnia, Ontario and Roberto Sanchez-Mitchell of La Fleche, Saskatchewan tied for third place.

Boys 12-13 Division - This division was the tightest of all divisions with three golfers finishing with a total of 231 for the 54 holes. After two play-off holes the Champion was Sam Herbert of St. Thomas, Ontario. Matt Gerber of Kitchener, Ontario claimed second place while Ben Westaway of St. Thomas, Ontario was third.

Boys 10 -11 Division - Hanish Nagrani of Welland, Ontario shot 236 for the tournament and finished four strokes ahead of Devan Schulert of Kingsville, Ontario. Another two strokes back was Sebastien Constantineau, from Algonquin, Quebec.

Girls 15-18 Division - Robin Doig from Seaforth, Ontario led the tournament from start to finish, ending the tournament with a 246 total. Two strokes behind was Sarah Westaway from St. Thomas, Ontario. Corey Crosson, of London, Ontario placed third another two strokes back.

Girls 10 to 14 - Josee Doyon, of St. Georges de Beauce, Quebec and Stephanie Carr of Amerstberg, Ontario were tied at 169 heading into the final round. Josee had the better final round to win the championship. Olivia Richards of Waterford, Ontario placed third.

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