Martel drives to first
Defending points champion Sierra Kowalyshyn shot a 76 to capture the U19 girls division Thursday on a Niagara District Junior Golf Tour stop at Niagara National Golf and Country. Photo: BILL POTRECZ.
Michael Martel overcame a wonky putter to emerge on top of the U17/19 boys division Thursday on a Niagara District Junior Golf Tour stop at Niagara National Golf and Country.
The 17-year-old Pelham resident fired a 73 to place first, one stroke ahead of Will Burleigh and four up on Jack Ilskens.
“I hit the ball decent, I just struggled with the putter a lot. Not a lot fell today,” Martel said. “On both 16 and 17 I missed a couple of five-footers so that was tough. Missed a couple on the front too but struck the ball pretty decent.”
Martel, who is a member at Lookout Point, said he normally doesn’t struggle so much with his putter.
“It was just kind of today. I had a couple that went in from about 10 feet but also a couple of bad ones that I missed too. It goes both ways,” he said.
Martel said with his putting game acting up he concentrated on driving the ball.
“The focus is just to make sure to hit the green in regulation, that way it kind of ensures the two-putt or the occasional three-putt,” he said. “It’s a mental hurdle you have to get over in the round.”
Martel knew where he stood in relation to the field as he approached 18.
“I did look (on 18) but 18 is pretty short so I only had about 162 so I hit a nine-iron. I knew I just had to two-putt,” he said.
Martel, who also won a tour stop at Brock this year, played in a couple of GAO (Golf Ontario) events this season and is slated to play in the Ontario Summer Games Aug. 1-4 in London.
The Notre Dame graduate will attend McMaster University this fall where he will major in health science and also golf. Older brother Matt is a member of the team.
“The program I got into is the best program in Canada. I was happy to get in there and Matt being there and being close to home is also nice as well.”
U15 BOYS
Mike Nevinger finally got into the winner’s circle Thursday.
The 13-year-old Fort Erie resident shot a 79 to capture his first tournament championship this season after placing second twice to go along with a third and fourth.
“It’s amazing. It’s only my fourth or fifth tournament,” he said.
Nevinger was determined to get over the hump.
“I think I came in with the mentality of really wanting to win and it really showed I could do it,” he said.
Nevinger feels the win will help him down the road.
“Now I know what I can do and build off of that.”
Mike Nevinger, who is member at Bridgewater Country Club, finished well ahead of Joshua Bertrand and Daxx Partridge, who tied for second at 86.
“I was hitting the ball really well today, I was just trying to keep it under the wind. Tee shots were really helping and I was really dialled in today,” Nevinger said.
Nevinger attends Garrison Road Public School in Fort Erie.
Defending points champion Sierra Kowalyshyn shot a 76 to capture the U19 girls division. Casey Kenney was second at 78 followed by Tiffany Kang with a 96.
Eli Perng was the only U13 boys participant and shot a 74.
The tour resumes Monday at Rolling Meadows.
U13 BOYS
1. Eli Perng 74.
U15 BOYS
1. Mike Nevinger 79; T2. Joshua Bertrand 86; T2. Daxx Partridge 86; 4. Carter Thompson 89; 5. Eli Corfield 91; 6. Charlie Smith 93; 7. Brett Sharpe 94; 8. Callum Birdsell 94.
U17/U19 BOYS
1. Michael Martel 73; 2. Will Burleigh 74; 3. Jack Ilskens 77; T4. John Kingdon 78; T4. Braxton Fleguel 78; T6. Dawson Dermatas 79; T6. Ryan Kirkpatrick 79; T8. Austin St. Croix 80; T8. Chase Partridge 80; 10. Cameron Strugar 81.
U19 GIRLS
1. Sierra Kowalyshyn 76; 2. Casey Kenney 78; 3. Tiffany Kang 96.
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