Taylor sews up ladies title
Alexandra Taylor got the last laugh on COVID.
The 27-year-old Welland resident, who missed the 2021 Champion of Champions earlier this year after contracting the virus just before the event, captured the ladies division championship at the 73rd Annual Walt McCollum Niagara District Champions of Champions golf tournament Saturday at the St Catharines Golf and Country Club.
Taylor, who is member at Cherry Hill, shot a 73 to edge out Stefi Markovich of Lookout Point CC by three strokes and Sandra Billyard of Port Colborne by four.
“I was very disappointed when I tested positive because I looked forward to the tournament so much every year,” Taylor said. “It’s a lot of fun to play the ladies.
“I was definitely excited to be back out here.”
Taylor, who is a big fan of college football, gave up a trip with her family to see the Ohio State Buckeyes in order to compete.
“I said no to an Ohio State football game, that’s how much I wanted to be here,” she smiled.
The championship was the third in the ladies division for Taylor who also has two junior titles to her credit.
“It’s just fun to still be able to have people in Niagara to compete against,” she said. “Playing competitive golf is so much fun so I’m really glad there’s people I can play here. It’s always fun to play against Kennedy (Bodfield) and Stefi. We’re not members at the same club anymore. She keeps me on my toes and so does Kennedy.
“It’s a lot of fun to play against such good players. It’s a lot of fun to have competition.”
Taylor asked her mother, Diana, to caddy for her at the last minute and the idea proved to be a good one.
“It was nice to have her out there, mainly for a walk,” Taylor said. “I think she said something on the first hole in regards to golf and I just told her you’re out here to talk to me and distract me from golf.
“It was nice to be able to spend some time with her and take time out of my busy life to be with her for that long.”
Taylor, who is a regional co-ordinator at Golf Ontario, tried to keep it simple.
“I was nervous the whole way around,” she said. “I was mainly focused on making pars. I was hitting greens, I didn’t make anything outside of five feet for a birdie but I was hitting my driver well. I went through a slump at the end of the summer with my irons but I was hitting my irons well. I didn’t have any three-putts out there.”
Taylor didn’t concern herself with the competition.
“I didn’t know exactly. I knew they had a few rough holes. I tried not to focus on scores, I didn’t look at the scorecard. I didn’t want to know. I just try and play my game.”
LADIES LEADERBOARD
1. Alexandra Taylor, Cherry Hill GC 73; 2. Stefi Markovich, Lookout Point CC 76; 3. Sandra Billyard, Port Colborne CC 77; 4. Chris Critelli, St. Catharines G&CC 78; 5. Kennedy Bodfield, Rockway Vineyards GC 79; 6. Louise Robitaille, Niagara-on-the-Lake GC 83; 7. Shelley Lothian, Cardinal Lakes GC 84; T8. Ruth McBride, Bridgewater G&CC 85, T8. Nancy Bridgeman, Peninsula Lakes GC 85; 10. Karen Vamplew, Twenty Valley G&CC 87; 11. Shelley Bauer, Sawmill, 91; T 12. Michelle Fraser, Whisky Run 99, T. 12 Christine Liszak, Willodell 99; 14. Julia Min, Beechwood 102; T. 15 Carla Bousfield, Freedom Oakes GC 105, T. 15 Anita Wagner, Grand Niagara 105; 17. Cathie Gage, Rolling Meadows 108; 18. Carrie Pennimpede, Niagara Falls GC 109.
Dear reader. If you liked this story or one of the 4,500 other stories found on our website, please consider hitting the Support Us button on the right-hand side of our home page and making a PayPal contribution to our website. Your support would be much appreciated. If you are a business owner, please consider advertising on our site. Our rates are reasonable and we provide plenty of exposure for your business. Contact bpotrecz@outlook.com for more information.
