Junior golf tour wraps up
Casey Kenney fired a 79 Monday to capture top spot in the U19 girls category and also take first place in overall points as the 2024 Niagara District Junior Golf Tour wrapped up at Beechwood. Photo: BILL POTRECZ
Casey Kenney’s summers will never be the same.
The 18-year-old graduate of Sir Winston Churchill has spent the past seven years on the Niagara District Junior Golf Tour where she was among the best female players.
Kenney fired a 79 to capture top spot in the U19 girls category and also take first place in overall points as the tour wrapped up its 32nd year Monday at Beechwood.
Kenney, who golfs out of Lookout, won five of the seven tournaments she entered this season to finish with 293 points. Last year’s points champion, Sierra Kowalyshyn, was second with 186 points as she won two of her seven events.
“It’s going to be weird next year when I don’t have John’s tour (tour director John White) to go and do,” Kenney said. “I’ve been doing this since 2018 and this has been my summers. I always enjoyed being with John, whether it’s a tournament or just practice.
“I don’t know what’s next.”
Kenney, who will attend Brock this fall and tryout for the school golf team, loved the atmosphere of the tour.
“All the kids were in it for fun. It was never an uptight, intense environment and I think that’s what made me like it so much and why I played well and enjoyed it,” she said. “I’ve played (golf) well sometimes and not enjoyed it and not played well and enjoyed it but I feel this is a good balance of both of them.”
1. Casey Kenney 79; 2. Alivia Nickason 99.
Overall points: 1. Casey Kenney, 293; 2. Sierra Kowalyshyn, 186; 3. Tiffany Kang 178; 4. Mikayla Lacey 166; 5. Alivia Nickason, 162; 6. Hazel Templeman 89; 7. Evelyn Li 79.
U17/19 BOYS
Will Burleigh was a double winner Monday.
The 17-year-old graduate of West Niagara Secondary School, who needed a win to capture the overall points championship, carded a 73 to take top spot in the boys U17/19 division and edge out Michael Martel for the points title.
“It put a little more pressure on but I knew I had to win and play well,” Burleigh said. “I didn’t force anything though and let it happen.”
The Sawmill member admitted he was proud of his effort.
“It was amazing,” he smiled. “I do have one more year on tour so I get to do it again next year.”
Burleigh edged out Michael Martel by just 20 points for the overall title. Both golfers won three events. Martel was moving in at McMaster University Monday and unable to attend.
Burleigh topped Colby Franchetti and Andrew Burciul by two strokes for the win.
“I was really consistent. I started off great and then all the way through the round I was hitting every fairway all the way up to 18. I was hitting a lot of greens and the putter was really good.”
Burleigh was playing in a group with Burciul which made it difficult to ignore the other scores.
“Most of the time I try to think about it but I was keeping his score,” he said.
Burleigh is satisfied with his progress this summer.
“(My game) has gotten better, a little more consistent,” he said. “It’s not like just one part of my game is on during the round. It’s become more even. I’ve had more of a level head and level game.”
1. Will Burleigh 73; T2. Colby Franchetti 75; T2. Andrew Burciul 75; 4. John Kingdon 77; 5. Townes Bestward 79; 6. Kian Oelofse 80; 7. Ryan Kirkpatrick 81; T8. Jack Ilskens 83; T8. Jaxon Pozzobon 83; T10. Luke Emerson 86; T10. Carter Fulkerson 86.
Overall points: 1. Will Burleigh, 821; 2. Michael Martel 801; 3. Andrew Burciul 694.83; 4. John Kingdon 594.5; 5. Dawson Dermatas, 572.16; 6. Braxton Fleguel, 545.33; 7. Cameron Strugar 522.5; 8. Carter Fullerton 521.5; 9. Ryan Kirkpatrick, 519.67; 10. Thomas Gale 477.
U15 BOYS
Brennan Turner finished off a perfect summer with his ninth win in nine events, firing a 71 to take first place and also capture the overall points title in the U15 boys division.
“It was pretty good,” the 14 year-old Fonthill resident said. “I just kept playing consistent and kept coming out on top.”
Turner admitted finishing off with a perfect record was on his mind.
“It wouldn’t be the way to end it,” he said of not placing first. “I was playing really well on the weekend so I knew today was going to be a good day as long as I kept the ball in play.”
Turner said he had a solid, consistent round.
“I just kept hitting fairway to green. Some putts were dropping and some weren’t. I lost a few balls out there but just kept it on pace and kept it under par.”
Turner feels his game is in a good place.
“Usually over the summer my game gets better because I’m used to playing so much. I’ve got a perfect feel for my swing and I find I usually hit the ball 10-15 yards further by the end of the season.”
Turner is now preparing for the Canadian U15 championships in Elmira this week.
1. Brennan Turner 71; 2. Vince Belardi 80; 3. Carter Thompson 87; 4. Mike Nevinger 89; 5. Alex Shorthouse 90; 6. Callum Birdsell 96; 7. Logan Taylor 99.
Overall points: Brennan Turner 360; 2. Mike Nevinger 262; 3. Charlie Smith 198.5; 4. Callum Birdsell 180; 5. Brett Sharpe 164; 6. Alex Shorthouse 160; 7. Joshua Bertrand 153.5; 8. Carter Thompson 149.5; 9. Logan Taylor 146.5; 10. Eli Corfield 117.
U13 BOYS
Matthew Milton won his third title of the season in the U13 boys division with a 95.
“Mostly everything was working well, just my putting was a little bad,” he said. “I wasn’t the best around the tee.”
Milton was the lone competitor Monday after Eli Perng withdrew.
“I find it easier because I have less pressure on me and no one is watching me,” the 12-year-old Stevensville resident said. “I just play my own game and it turns out good. When I’m playing with people I get a little nervous.
“I just try to play my best and not compare myself to other people.”
Milton was proud of his season.
“It’s pretty nice. It’s exciting.”
Milton feels he is golfing as good as ever.
“My shots are straighter, farther,” he said.
Perng took the overall points title, winning all five tournaments he entered.
1. Matthew Milton 95; 2. Eli Perng WD.
Overall points: 1. Eli Perng 225; 2. Matthew Milton 203.
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