`Marking Day' two day junior camp
- For competitive juniors up to age 14
- $395 +hst, includes overnight stay at Rafters Ridge, 1 dinner, range balls, and greens fees.
- Get ready for the Midget
- 2012 dates to be announced.
- This Camp is limited to juniors playing in the Midget, or otherwise competing
- Lunches not included
This young golfer has a few years to wait
Canada Games 2009:
So close Going into round 3, the boys team was fired up,in hindsight, too much so. We started well, Eric Banks was 1 under well into the front 9, and Eric Locke was even. After the first 4 holes we had reached second place, a silver was in our grasp.
But we lost our mojo collectively, and the entire boys team lost ground big time. We finished out of the medals.
The same thing happened to Courtney and Brynn, no magic. Irene kept it together, and going into the last hole needed par for a playoff for bronze. Unfortunately, her drive landed in a big divot, and she bogeyed, missing by a shot.
There is no way around it, it was painful, and tears were shed. One of my teachers told me of a master butcher who never seemed to need to sharpen his blades. His secret, get them too sharp and they will dull easily. But grind the blade to the point just short of that, and they last. We wanted it too badly.
We talked afterward about how Tom Watson dealt with coming so close and just missing out in the British Open. He held his head high, congratulated the winner, and made no excuses.
All but Courtney are coming back next year, and four of these juniors are only 16, with 2 more years left. We leave PEI more inspired to work even harder, leapfrog this incredible week and be even more ready next year at Nationals.
Day 5, Wednesday Aug 26, from Canada Games
Boys in the medal race, tied third. Girls in fourth, Irene 6th individually
I almost forgot to mention the defining moment for the boys team; the MOHAWKS. On the morning of the first day, at breakfast, I nearly choked on my coffee when the boys walked in with the Native Style haircut, only a strip remaining in the middle, the rest bald. But the team bonding effect far outweighed the look. As I told one of the parents, I as coach I can control a lot, but the hairstyle is out of my jurisdiction.
On day 2, the wind howled, and the scores were higher. We stayed in the hunt, with the boys tied for third, the girls tied fourth. As in the Olympics, third place is in the medals, bronze. We had a team meeting in the evening, and the warriors are ready to play without hesitation.
Individually, Irene Jung had the second best round of the day among all the girls, a 73. She is alone at 6th overall. Eric Locke is 2 shots out of the medals, and all the boys are in a good spot to make the cut.
Day 4, Tuesday, August 25, from Canada Games
Holy Cow, the Nova Scotia Boys are tied for first in the team competition! Eric Locke from Digby is tied for the individual boys with 69.
And that's not all: Eric Banks is tied for 10th, Ally Tidcombe tied 16th.
On the girls side, The team is tied for 4th, only one spot away from a medal. Irene Jung had a 76 and is 6 back in the girls, at 8th. Brynn Tomie is 18th, Courtney Balcome 23rd.
I am hoping for a good nights sleep for this incredible group of athletes, and see what tomorrow brings at the beautiful Brudanell River Golf Course, with two more days of team competition.
Before heading to bed, I might take a stroll to the other end of the UPEI campus, to catch Nova Scotia in a relay race.
Day 3, Monday, August 24, from Canada Games
Never have I seen so many confident, in shape, at-the-top-of-their-game youth as I have in the last 2 days. Swimmers, gymnasts, paddlers, you name it, all here to show the excellence that is possible with dedication, hard work, good coaching, and the many other fortunate factors that led them all here.
I was most in awe of the wheelchair athletes and special needs players, 100% a part of all this, belonging and accepted. .
Today was a practice round for the golfers, getting the kinks out, and getting to know the course. Some of the top players in the world are here, including perhaps the top 18 year old boy, on the planet, Eugene Wong, and from BC, Sue Kim. .
The Nova Scotia team is prepared, and walking tall. Whatever will be will be; as my friend Dr. Joe Parent would say, so be it.
Tomorrow, round 1. 3 boys and 3 girls from each province. .
Day 1 and 2, Sunday, August 23, from Canada Games
For the first time ever, golf is included in a multi-sport, national venue. The Canada Games Golf team is making history, and will be watched by the Olympic Committee, as golf will likely be part of the Olympics in 2016
I am here in Charlottetown, PEI, with 6 golfers, 3 boys and 3 girls, and our Manager Erica Donovan. We drove up on a comfortable bus from Halifax, with hundreds of super elite Nova Scotian athletes from many sports.
The practice round is tomorrow (Monday). An interesting difference between this event and the National Championship, is that I will be allowed to coach during the round.
I will update this after the practice round at Brudanell. Hopefully Hurricane Bill won't render the course unplayable. Must set the alarm, as the boys have to be up at 5:15, as the bus leaves at 6
As RCGA Regional Coach, Ed works with some of the finest junior golfers in the Province. Because of time commitments, the Awareness Golf School does not run an ongoing junior programme per-se. For Group junior instruction, contact The Links at Penn Hills for camps and clinics.