Ditto saves best for last
Nate Ditto picked a great time to shine.
The 16-year-old member of the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club carded an even par 72 to capture the junior boys division at the 74th Walt McCollum Niagara District Champions of Champions golf tournament Saturday at St. Catharines Golf and Country Club.
“That was my best-ever score in a tournament,” the Grade 11 student at Holy Cross said. “I felt good the whole day but I didn’t really get anything going until the end. I started making birdies at the end to bring it back.”
His final nine included three birdies.
“It was a strong finish.”
A regular competitor on the Maple Leaf Junior Tour, Ditto was thrilled to record his Champions victory.
“I was aware that it is a big deal in Niagara and it is a good tournament to win. I know that. This is the highlight of the summer.”
His other wins this year have come at a Maple Leaf Junior Tour event in Whitby, a junior showcase event in Kingston and at his club championship.
“It was a good year.”
He has been only been golfing competitively for the past three years but he was quick study.
“Right when I started I got lessons from Travis Glass at Eagle Valley and I learned some good stuff.”
He has high hopes for his golf career.
“I am hoping to golf at a college in the States. That is the ultimate goal.
The 5-foot-3, 125-pounder packs a lot of wallop in his small frame.
“I average about 275 yards off the tee,” he said. “I just swing at it, I get power from my legs and just go.”
He was looking forward to celebrating his victory.
“It is my sister’s birthday and I am sure we will do something when I get home tonight for fun.”
Sister Taya was celebrating her 18th birthday.
Rounding out the top five were: Sawmill’s Will Burleigh 74; Lookout Point’s Jack Ilskens 80; Brock’s Pearse Conlon 83; Bridgewater’s Brennan Pisaric 85; and, Freedom Oaks’ Braxton Fleguel 85.
