Bodfield tops field with 67

Kennedy Bodfield made an impressive debut Tuesday at the Wood Trophy golf tournament at Rockway Vineyards.

The 26-year-old St. Catharines resident carded an impressive 67 to capture the gross title at the former Niagara District Ladies Golf Championship.

The former scholarship player at McNeese State University had a simple explanation for her late arrival at the tournament, which has been held annually since 1967.

“I just wasn’t playing a lot the last five years or so since I graduated from school,” the Rockway Vineyards member said. “But this year I have been playing a lot more and I have been trying to compete a little bit more. I played here and next week I am competing in the Canadian mid-amateur.”

Timing and commitments kept the supply teacher with the District School Board of Niagara supply teacher from taking part in any Golf Association of Ontario events this summer but it hasn’t prevented from golfing four or five rounds a week.

“I am not practising as much as I should be but I have been just playing. My game has gotten a lot better this year. I am getting some cobwebs out after a long time off.”

She is motivated to play by one main reason.

“I love the game. After I graduated and after I had knee surgery, it was kind of a love/hate relationship a little bit. But having the time away, I am now able to appreciate the fact that I can play pain free and I can play nice courses with nice people like Stefi (Markovich), Shelley (Lothian) and Emily (Zwier). It’s great to be able to enjoy being outside.”

Being pain free certainly helps.

“That’s the point where I was at. I played in pain for so long — pretty much for most of my university career — and after taking the time off, now I can just enjoy it again. I am not stressed out as much about competing as much. I am out here having a good time.”

The four-time Champion of Champions winner obviously had a good day Tuesday.

“I was chipping really well and that helped. I didn’t get in too much trouble and then I was able to make a lot of good pitch shots.”

Bodfield was on 16 or 17 greens in regulation.

“I had a lot of those awkward 30-40 yard chips but they went well today.”

Tuesday’s victory will give her a nice boost heading into the Canadian mid-am next week at Mad River Golf Club in Creemore.

“It is all about confidence, remembering what it is like to compete and remembering that you can do it. It’s ‘OK, I can compete.’ ”

She has no specific score in mind for Mad River.

“I want to go, I want to have fun and I want to play well. Whatever happens, happens but it would be nice to play some good golf.”

Tournament organizer Karen Vamplew is happy to see the Wood Trophy tournament continue to be played every year.

“It is an effort to keep the ladies in the district as a cohesive unit and to enjoy each other’s company more than anything else,” she said. “It is an entry level competition and is always has been. We are trying to keep that alive too. There are not too many if any districts that are still doing since the districts were all dissolved in 2016.”

Sixty-four players from nine clubs took part in the tourney.

RESULTS

Low amateur: Kennedy Bodfield, Rockway Vineyards  67.

Flo Monroe Trophy (net): Margot Richardson, Niagara-on-the-Lake 67.

A Flight (net): Chantelle Proulx, Niagara-on-the-Lake 68; Ruth McBride, Bridgewater 71; Betty Divok, Rockway Vineyards 74; Donna Larsen, Sawmill 74; Denise Weaver, Rockway Vineyards 74.

B Flight gross: Ellen McLeod, Lookout Point 82

B Flight net: Yolanda Henry, Niagara-on-the-Lake 70; Kerri Hollinshead, Pen Lakes 71; Carolyn May, Sawmill 71; Carol Cort, Rockway Vineyards 72; Wendy Bowering, Rockway Vineyards 72.

C Flight gross: Lisa Petro, Rockway Vineyards 86.

C Flight net: Barbara Smith, Rockway Vineyards 70; Lisa Allen, Niagara-on-the-Lake 70; Maria Townley, Niagara-on-the-Lake 71; Ginny Green, Niagara-on-the-Lake 72.

D Flight gross: Regina Treschak, Sawmill 96.

D Flight net: Karen Cheu-Metz, Bridgewater 71; Pamela Proulx, Cardinal Lakes 71; Anita Upshall, Rockway Vineyards 74; Marlene Soucy, Lookout Point 76; Christine Perrin, Lookout Point 76; Robin Foster, Niagara-on-the-Lake 76.

Wood Trophy winner: Niagara-on-the-Lake 278 (Yolanda Henry, Lisa Allen, Maria Townley and Margot Richardson).

Closest to the pin winners: Donna Larsen, Sheila Lohnes and Laura Takata.