Furtney wins for first time
Blake Furtney captured his first event title on the Niagara District Junior Golf Tour in dramatic fashion.
The 16-year-old Fonthill resident topped Cole Thomson by one stroke on the second playoff hole to place first in the U-19 boys category Monday at Grand Niagara.
Furtney and Thompson both shot a 76 through regulation, setting up a playoff. The Sawmill members then each parred the first playoff hole before Furtney two-putted for par on the second hole while Thompson bogeyed.
“I hit my tee shot on to the green and then Cole went over the green, which was a tough shot from back there,” Furtney said.
“It was the first time I was in a playoff. I was nervous.”
Furtney said parring the first playoff hole took some of the edge off.
“I made a little five-footer on one and that kind of settled my nerves.”
Furtney joined the tour three years ago and was happy to come out with a tournament victory, although, he said it wasn’t life and death.
“I wanted to get a win but I didn’t need one because I’ve been playing good golf recently,” he said.
Furtney said his short game has really come around.
“The putter has been really good. I’ve been hitting the middle of the green and making the putt or two-putting consistently” he said. “It gives me confidence if I don’t hit a good shot that I can get up and down.”
Furtney, who attends E.L. Crossley, began golfing when he was eight.
He has also competed in the MJT (Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour), GAO (Golf Ontario) and US Kids.
Long term he would like to secure a scholarship to golf at an American school.
Kowalyshyn turns in consistent round
Sierra Kowalyshyn of Sawmill fired a 75 to edge Casey Kenney of Sawmill by two strokes in the U-19 girls division.
“I was pretty consistent,” the 14-year-old Stoney Creek resident said. “On the back nine, I had a little up and down but I got back and my putting and chipping were really great today so my short game really saved me.”
Kowalyshyn led from start to finish which she said was an advantage.
“It helps me because then I can play a safer, more consistent game and not try to think of ways to get better. I can just keep doing what I’m doing.”
The victory was Kowalyshyn’s third on the tour this season.
“I’m just going to play my best and if I happen to win, great,” she said.
With only two other competitors in the division, Kowalyshyn was well aware where she stood.
“I feel like it pushes me and it’s an advantage, but it all depends,” she said.
Kowalyshyn is third in overall points with 158 over four tournaments. Kenney leads with 173 over five while Edyn Sobie, Players Club Mississauga West, is second with 164.5 over all six stops.
“I haven’t won a tour championship yet but I would really be happy to,” Kowalyshyn said. “It’s definitely something I’m looking forward to.”
The next event is Monday, July 31 at Rolling Meadows.
Following are the leaderboards from Monday’s tournament:
Under-19 girls: Sierra Kowalyshyn, Sawmill 75; Casey Kenney, Sawmill 77; Edyn Sobie, Players Club Mississauga West 100.
Under-19 boys: Blake Furtney, Sawmill, Cole Thompson, Sawmill 76; John Kingdon, Sawmill 78, Andrew Burciul, Sawmill 78; Nathan Freure, Sawmill 79, Christian Rotundo, Lookout Point 79; Jack Ilskens, Lookout Point 79, Will Burleigh, Sawmill 79; Kian Oelofse, Lookout Point 80, Ryder Fletcher, Bridgewater 80; Anthony Sartor, Players Club – Ottawa 80, Elliott Christopher, St. Catharines Golf & Country Club 80.
Under-15 boys: Dawson Dermatas, St. Catharines Golf and Country Club 79; Chase Partridge. St. Catharines Golf and Country Club 84; Ryan Kirkpatrick, Sawmill 86; Jordan Spratt, Twenty Valley 88; Carter Fulkerson, Players Club Ottawa 89; Jaxon Pozzobon, Sawmill 90; Braxton Fleguel, Golf Canada ClubHouse 92; Cam Strugar, Golf Canada Clubhouse 94; Carter Thompson, Sawmill 97; Vince Belardi, Sawmill 100.
Under-13 boys: Landon Friesen, Sawmill 81; Alex Shorthouse, Players Club Ottawa 87; Jack Vitiello, Sawmill 91; Daxx Partridge, St. Catharines Golf and Country Club 94; Jonah Sobie. Players Club Mississauga West 101.
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