GOLF: UBC picks up both team banners at CW Championships
Calgary's Banks wins in playoff, UBC's Bell takes women's title
SQUAMISH, B.C. – The UBC Thunderbirds captured both the men’s and women’s team titles at the 2021 Canada West Championships at the Squamish Valley Golf Club on Tuesday.
Individual women’s champion Grace Bell led the way for UBC posting a one-under par round of 71 on Monday, and an even-par 72 on Tuesday. The first-year out of Calgary, Alta. bounced back from two bogeys on three holes to start the day, with a run of three straight birdies to get the round back on track.
The Thunderbirds’ 2021 banner made it back-to-back Canada West titles for UBC, as they shot a combined +3 during the two-day event to win by 27 strokes.
"We have a really young group this year, but they are all very experienced players," said UBC head coach Chris MacDonald. "It's a new team but they are playing great golf together and having a lot of fun. It was nice to see their consistency out there this week."
The men’s individual crown came down to a dramatic finish as UBC’s Russell Howlett (66-71), the Day 1 leader, and Calgary’s Ethan Banks (69-68) needed some extra golf after both finishing at -7. On the second playoff hole, Banks, a second-year from Calgary, Alta., knocked in his par putt to win the Canada West gold medal.
Howlett would walk away with an individual silver and a team gold medal as the first-year Thunderbird led UBC to a -25 overall score and a 23-shot margin of victory.
"The guys played awesome golf," said MacDonald. "The greens were soft and our guys are great ball strikers so we had a lot of putts from inside 10 feet."
The UBC Okanagan Heat finished the event as the women’s silver medalists. The Heat were led by Kendra Jones-Munk. Jones-Munk posted a final score of +8 (78-74) to grab seventh spot in the individual standings. Finishing in bronze position were the Victoria Vikes. Individual silver medalist Sukriti Harjai led the way for the Vikes with a final score of +4 (74-74).
There was plenty of bronze headed back to Vancouver as three UBC golfers finished tied for third behind Harjai. Una Chou (73-76), Emily Li (75-74), and Sonja Tang (76-73) ended the 36-hole championship at +5.
The 2019 Canada West men’s team champions, the Fraser Valley Cascades, settled for the silver medal in 2021. Jackson Jacob was the top Cascade finisher, tying for the bronze medal, at -6 (68-70). Calgary received the bronze medal after narrowly topping Victoria. Both squads finished the championship at -1, with the Dinos taking the edge in the tie-breaking criteria.
UBC’s Mackenzie Bickell was the other men’s medalist, finishing tied for third with Jacob at six-under-par (73-65). Bickell shot the low round of the tournament with a seven-under 65 in the final round to get back into contention.
In total, 74 golfers took part in the championship, representing eight Canada West schools.