Sports

 

 The Seaway Kickers U13 Mixed team finished their season August 22, with a big 10-0 win against the Ottawa Internationals M1 team at the fields at Ottawa Technical High School. 

Scoring started early in the first half with a one-timer low and to the left of Ottawa’s goalkeeper by David Swerdfeger.

Connor Dumoulin netted back-to-back goals at the 10 and 14 minute marks of the game, making it 3-0 Seaway. 

Ottawa rallied on Seaway’s end but could not get through the visiting team’s defense. 

A quick turnover brought the ball back to Ottawa’s end, with midfielder Shawn Dowson scoring for a 4-0 Seaway lead. Swerdfeger added his second of the night finding the low corner on the goalie, giving Seaway a 5-0 advantage at the halftime.

Play resumed in the second half with a renewed offensive effort by Ottawa,. Although they tested Dowson, who had switched positions to backstop Seaway’s goal, all attempts were cleared and the score remained unchanged.

A charge by Seaway midfielder Kendrew Byers resulted in his goal at the 42 minute mark in the second half, to increase the Seaway advantage to 6-0.

 Sam Waytowich, Theo Blancher, David Vreman and Aaron Tibben scored a goal apiece in the second half for the final 10-0 shut out Seaway win.

Byers and Dowson shared the shutout as the U13 Mixed team completed their undefeated regular season in the South Side Soccer League with 15 wins and 0 losses. 

[…]

 

ond consecutive year, Sarabeau Stables, has had an impressive seven riders and seven horses qualify for the prestigious Trillium Ontario Riding Championships at the Caledon Equestrian Park at Palgrave, Ontario, from September 4-8.

Sarabeau Stables, owned and operated by Sandy Marcellus is a young stable located east of Morrisburg, just now in its third complete season. In each of the three seasons, Sarabeau has been represented at Trillium, beginning with five riders in year one.

“We’ve been having a really good year,” said trainer Cheryl Levere who has been with Sarabeau since it opened. “All of our horses have qualified, and that is really something. We have some really good horses.”

Levere points out that Sarabeau Stables has attracted some really good riders, many of whom she has watched grow, both physically and within their riding abilities.

“Some of our riders are finding it a bit harder this year, as they are now having to juggle their riding with work. Sometimes, some of them aren’t able to ride as often as they should,” she added.

Marcellus and Levere are pleased to have two horses return to the stable this spring, Skip the Frosty and Sweet Cherry Wine, both of which have been great horses for Sarabeau.

“We have re-schooled both horses. Both have new riders and both are doing well,” said Levere.

“Ours riders are all second year (or more) riders now. They are working hard, and they all now know when they have done something wrong. They have all improved over the years so much…they have really grown as riders. It has been good to watch them grow up,” says Levere.

Riders to qualify for this year’s Trillium competition are  16-year-old Rayanna Marcellus of Pigeon Island Road, 14-year-old  Madison Drenna of Morrisburg, sisters Serena, 15, and Brianna, 17, Armstrong of Iroquois, Julie Julien, 27 of Cornwall, 16-year-old Troy Webb of Ingleside and 15-year- old Jeanna Lamothe of Ingleside.

Horses to qualify include Sweet Cherry Wine, Simply Irresistible, Piccolini, Keepsake, Morganfield, Skip the Frosty and Alexus owned by the Armstrong family.

With one more points show left before Trillium, all riders have qualified or will have qualified at this show for one or more Trillium events.

The top seven riders from each of seven regions in Ontario compete at Trillium

Rayanna Marcellus is currently in first place in Children’s Hunter riding Keepsake, and in first place in A Equitation over Fences riding Picco and Keepsake. She and Picco are in second place in Large Ponies. Rayanna and Keepsake are second in A Equitation and third in Children’s Medal.

Madison Drennan and Sweet Cherry Wine are second overall in the small-medium Pony/Hunter division.

Serena Armstrong and Skip the Frosting are first in small/medium ponies and second in B Equitation. Riding her sister’s horse, Alexus, she is eighth in Low Hunter and fourth in B Equitation on the Flat.

Brianna Armstrong and Alexus are first in Children’s Medal and fifth in Children’s Hunter.

Troy Webb is third in Children’s Hunter riding Morganfield, fourth in Children’s Medal and fifth in A Equitation over Fences.

Jeanna Lamothe and Simply Irresistible are fifth in Children’s Hunter.

Although she will not be making the trip to Trillium, Julie Julien is fifth riding Morganfield in Adult Equitation over Fences.

Hunters categories ride on simplified courses meant to mimic traditional hunting field obstacles and the horses are judged. 

The jumper category rides a more technically difficult course with twists and turns and judging is on the fences etc. knocked down as well as time. The horse is judged.

The Equitation category is a hybrid between hunters and jumpers in which the rider’s abilities are judged over a jumper type course. The horse itself is not judged.

In over fences and flat, again it is the horses that are judged. In over fences there is one horse and rider at a time and the horse’s skills are judged. In flat all horses gather in the ring and are judged in a group at different paces, walk, trot and canter.

The Sarabeau riders are busy working with their horses in preparation for Trillium and running fundraisers to help with expenses.

For each rider the cost to go to Trillium is about $1,400 which includes entry fees, transportation for themselves and the horses, lodging for themselves and stable costs for the horses,  and food for themselves and the horses.

In addition to sponsorships, the riders are most appreciative of support from the public at their fundraisers. These have included car washes, spaghetti dinners and bake sale. 

Individuals/businesses/clubs interested in sponsoring the Sarabeau riders/horses can call Sandy Marcellus at 613-543-4561.

Pictured above, l-r are Julie Julien, Madison Drennan, Serena Armstrong, and Rayanna Marcellus. Horses l-r, are Morganfield, Sweet Cherry, Frosty and Picco.

[…]

 

Morrisburg women’s club champion, Vicki Boivin, made it two big wins in a row at the Morrisburg Golf course here last Wednesday, when she posted a very strong 80 to walk away with the championship of the annual Ladies Open.

Boivin’s 80 was seven strokes better than the next closest competition which came from fellow Morrisburg Club member Lori Anne Davies and Patti Negrave (public player) who tied with 87s.

Despite the rainy/windy weather conditions which were particularly prevalent during the early play, Boivin collected a two-over par 38 (one birdie-three bogeys) on the front and added a 42 on the back.

“With the wet conditions, the greens were holding really well,” said Boivin. “You could throw the ball up, and it would land and stick. I was chipping really well.”

With Boivin claiming the tournament’s low gross for the day, that left Davies and Negrave to play off for A flight’s low gross. That ended with Negrave taking the decision with a par on the par 4 ninth hole.

Also scoring a big win at the annual Open, which attracted 66 area golfers, was Morrisburg’s Elsie Guindon.

Guindon, playing in C flight, where she was the top shooter with a 105, had a 65 net for the overall low net of the tournament field.

Boivin and Guindon were presented the Odonto Corporation championship trophies by Morrisburg club captain Monique Patenaude.

The next three spots in A flight all went to Morrisburg members. Brenda Stitt was next with an 88, which gave her a 68 net for the low net for A flight. Defending Open champion Diane Gallinger scored a 91 and Patenaude shot a 92. 

In B flight, Barb Badali from Champions Nest (Ottawa) was the low shooter with a 96. Second spot went to Cedar Glen’s Susan McIntosh with a 97, and Lombard Glen’s Kim Sumare was third with a 98. 

Sumare’s 98 gave her a 68 net for the low net in B flight.

Next up was Morrisburg’s Valerie St. John with a 105.

Guindon led the C flight shooters with her 105. Sandy Hood of Metcalfe was next with a 106, and Metcalfe’s Margo Neilson had the third low score with a 112.

Eighteen players competed in a non-handicapped division for which the winners were determined by the Callaway Scoring System.

Straight up the low shooter in the Callaway class was Linda Spratt with an 87, while Debbie Leger scored an 88.

Using the Callaway scoring, Spratt remained in first place with a 72. Ledger and Donna Tapp were next in the Callaway with 73s.

[…]

 

While it will be several weeks before it is decided who is part of the 2013-14 Morrisburg Junior B Lions roster, those standing behind the bench have been determined.

Last week, the Lions team management announced that Andrew Scott of Iroquois, and Mark Evans of Cornwall, will be joining head coach Dan Frawley behind the Lions bench for the coming season.

Former Pittsburgh Penquin captain, Memorial Cup Champion and AHL Calder Cup Champion, Frawley is returning for his second season as the Lions head coach.

In addition to Frawley’s credentials, the two assistants coaches sport some pretty impressive hockey and coaching experience of their own.

Scott, who comes on board as associate coach was the 2010 Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey Metro Division “Coach of the Year”.

Originally from Johnstown, Scott, a defenceman, played Junior B hockey with the Prescott Falcons and Junior A (Tier 2) with the Kingston Voyageurs. He finished his junior hockey career as a 20 year old with South Grenville.

Scott’s coaching career includes stints with the Kemptville 73s (Jr. A.), the Upper Canada Cyclones (AAA minor) and the Metcalfe Jets (Jr. B.). As head coach of the 2010-11 Jets, he was named the Metro Division’s coach of the year.

“I was with the Jets for two years,” says Scott. “I was there to help them get their program up and going again.”

After taking last year off, he says, “I’ve known Dan for a couple of years, and I jumped on board when he asked me if I was interested.”

“I have played against the Lions and coached against the Lions, and I didn’t want to miss this opportunity to work with Dan and the Lions. They are one of the winningest teams in the league. There is a lot of history here.”

Assistant coach Mark Evans originally comes from Fergus, Ontario. “I came down here to play hockey for the Cornwall Royals and played for them for three years (85-88).” Originally a defenceman, Evans guarded the  Royals’ blue line for two seasons, until coach Orval Tessier moved him to right wing for season three.

“I was basically a utility player, and so that is what I’ve brought into my coaching. I’ve seen it both ways.”

For many years, Evans has been involved with the Huron Hockey School. In 1991, he started coaching at the bantam level with the Seaway Valley Rapids minor association. 

“I started as assistant coach with the Cornwall Colts (Jr. A Tier 2) in 1992-93, when they moved from Massena to Cornwall. In 1994-95, I was the head coach.”

During the 94-95 season, the Colts were the CJHL Champions and Evans was voted Coach of the Year.

After a three-year coaching hiatus, Evans returned to coaching to coach his twin boys’ minor level teams. 

Evans became familiar to the Lions organization last season when his son, Eric played for the team.

Evans and Scott are both excited and eager to get the season rolling.

“We are all on the same page,” says Scott of this year’s Lions coaching staff. “It’s all about development for the players with a winning attitude, both on and off the ice.”

Since the Lions skated off the ice with a dismal finish last season, team ownership has changed with newcomers Rick Gilmer (vice-president of operations and assistant general manager) of Morrisburg and Gary Brownlee (vice-president business development) of Ingleside, now on board with veterans Kevin Casselman (president/general manager) and Dale Lewis (vice-president community relations), both of Morrisburg.

Joining the owners on the executive management team are Bonnie Barkley (treasurer) and Lois Casselman (secretary).

Rosanne Brownlee and Patti Laframbois will be putting their experience with the Cornwall Colts to work as a fundraising coordinators, Tracey Mabo returns as music coordinator, Thom Racine is on board as Director of Public Relations and Barry Cooper is the team scout.

The Lions opened their camp Sunday night (August 18) in Spencerville. 

They are on the ice in Spencerville again tonight (August 21) and then will host the Brockville Tikis this coming Saturday night, August 24 at 8 p.m.

[…]

 

Kingston Frontenacs winger Marc Beckstead and the Canadian Tire Store in Morrisburg were the hosts for the day, Saturday, as area youngsters were provided the opportunity to meet Beckstead and three of his Fronts teammates and have a little fun with the Tribeck Inflatables.

Beckstead, 18 of Morrisburg was joined by defenceman Mikko Vainonen, 19, of Finland and centreman Darcy Greenaway, 20, of Wilton, Ontario. The three, who will report to the Fronts training camp at the end of this month, had a great time Saturday, at CT in Morrisburg, visiting with the local youngsters and signing ball caps and posters.

The attendance of the  Ontario Hockey League’s Frontenacs players at the Canadian Tire’s Back to Hockey Event was organized by Marc’s uncle Trevor, owner of Tribeck Inflatables.

“We do a lot of different events in Kingston and the area,” said Greenaway, who is heading into his third season with the Frontenacs. Greenaway says he has spent much of his summer and most weekends doing this type of promotion for the Frontenacs. “It’s fun to talk to people and give away free stuff, and it’s good to come out and do it with the guys.”

Greenaway is five foot, eight inches. He weighs 186 pounds and wears the Frontenacs #22 sweater. He had a 44 point season last year with 24 goals and 20 assists.

 Also on hand was defenceman Mikko Vainonen who has returned to Canada having spent much of his summer back home in Helsinki, Finland. The Finnish defenceman, who will play out his second season with the Frontenacs, recently signed a three year entry level contract with the NHL’s Nashville Predators. He is six foot two inches and weighs 205 pounds.

Locally, the Frontenacs were represented by Marc Beckstead, son of Ernie and Leisa Beckstead of Morrisburg. Beckstead, is looking forward to shedding his rookie status as he heads into his second season with the Frontenacs. Last year, he played in 53 games and posted six goals and eight assists.

He says he has had a great summer and worked hard with his training. “I have been training with Ian Perry, five days per week all summer. I am feeling really good, and I’m excited for camp, really excited. They (the Frontenacs) told me to put on some muscle over the summer, so that is what I have been working to do.”

Beckstead attended his first camp last year with a weight of 173 pounds. He finished the season at 180 pounds, and will be heading to camp at the end of August with a weight of 190 pounds.

In addition to his weight training, Marc has been skating four times per week.

Trevor Beckstead, of Beckstead Inflatables says he was excited to spearhead the Frontenac/Canadian Tire promotion.

 In a recent local event, he noticed a number of kids wearing Fronts caps. “I told them (the Frontenacs) they’d be surprised at the number of Fronts fans in this area. When they said they would bring the truck and the wheel and prizes for the kids, I thought that was awesome. They have never been past Gananoque, so this is great.”

[…]

 

Designer David Casselman has laid down quite a challenge for golfers at the Morrisburg Golf Course, a challenge that involves an average break of about two feet anywhere on the new third hole green.

Friday, Casselman was at the course where he was joined by Morrisburg Golf Club officials to cut the ribbon to officially open the newly designed and constructed third hole and the resurfaced and slightly expanded second hole green.

On hand for the opening were Morrisburg Golf Club greens chair Shawn Hummel, club captains Andy and Monique Patenaude and greenskeeper Lee Beaupre.

“We are very pleased,” said Hummel. “David did an exceptional job with the construction, and Lee has done a great job with the maintenance.”

Last year, the second and third greens at the Morrisburg Golf Club were lost to disease, and the greens on the first, fifth, seventh and eighth greens were affected to a lesser degree.

To resolve the green issues, it was decided by the membership-owned Morrisburg Club to totally rebuild and redesign the third green, re-surface the second green, spot repair the other affected greens, and put a new mowing/maintenance/fertilizing program in place that would strengthen all of the course’s greens. 

This all got rolling late in the fall of 2012, with the major work done this spring. The result as of last Friday, is that all greens at the Morrisburg Golf Course are now healthy and providing golfers with some great play.

According to Hummel, it was Casselman’s decision to increase the playing surface of the second green. The back end was raised, and tile drainage was added to prevent water from laying on the green. He was left to design the third hole.

Casselman is pleased with the results of his work. Although he has helped to design and build holes with his dad at the Cedar Glen Golf Course east of Williamsburg, this was his first time to design greens for another operation.

“I like how they have turned out. We doubled the size of the old  third green (now 4,000 square feet). We dug the pond to the left of the green and used that ground as the fill for the new green as a cost savings. The idea is that the pond will now help with drainage in the area. Fawcett Brother Excavation did a great job. They dug the pond and spread the fill around.”

“I put down 12 inches of green mix, and we sodded with a bent grass.  The green is now higher than the former green and raised at the back to make it more accessible to receive a ball and to provide esthetic value, and better drainage….along with hopefully some tricky putts.”

As for the second green on the par three second hole, “we levelled it off, sloped it towards the tee and took out some of the gullies that held water.” Casselman says he found there was too much sand in the green and so, while he used the soil that was there, he added 10 inches of greens mix to enable the new sod to develop a good root system.

He says it has been a good summer to establish new greens. “We had the rain that helped out and Lee (greenskeeper Beaupre) has helped with the maintenance.”

“The greens are looking really good,” said Beaupre. “They are still in the process of mending, but we now have them cut to the same height as our other greens.”

In addition to the work on the second and third greens, new sod was placed in the troubled areas on the fifth, seventh and eighth greens and they too are now in great shape. A better maintenance/mowing program has rejuvenated the first green.

Beaupre says the larger green surfaces (two and three) now offer more pin placement opportunities and will help to spread the traffic around more effectively, thereby helping with the maintenance. With a chuckle, he adds, “on number three, there is not a level spot, and I am looking forward to some pin placements.”

The coast of the work totalled about $30,000, and in addition to those who physically helped with the project (laying sod etc.), the support of the members has been phenomenal through a loans program and various fundraising initiatives.

“We are looking forward to having some of our members return and to green fee guests coming out to give us a try,” says Hummel. “We are in good shape and we are inviting the golfing public to drop in for a game.”

[…]

 

Kickers on track for undefeated season

OTTAWA – The Seaway Kickers U13M team visited the Ottawa Internationals M2 team August 15, at Brewer Park in Ottawa, hand kept their undefeated season intact with a 6-1 win.

Action started at the four minute mark in the first half with a goal by Ottawa Internationals forward Isaac Gaudreau, breaking through Seaway’s defense; besting Seaway goalkeeper Shawn Dowson high and on the left side, 1-0 Internationals. 

With the pressure on and an undefeated season record to maintain, the Kickers applied pressure to the Internationals, breaking through their defence with a drive by Seaway midfielder John Coligan, tying the game, 1-1, at the 18 minute mark. 

Seaway midfielder Devon Dumoulin landed the go-ahead goal at the 22 minute mark, making it 2-1 Seaway. Forwards Connor Dumoulin and David Swerdfeger added a goal a piece at the 30 and 32 minute marks, Seaway leading 4-1 at half-time.

Devon Dumoulin scored his second on the night early in the second half, and Connor Dumoulin added his second of the night at the 67 minute mark in the game. 

Final score, Seaway Kickers 6, Ottawa Internationals 1. 

Dowson and Kendrew Byers shared the win as goalkeepers. The Seaway Kickers U13M team concludes their season August 22, at Ottawa TLC West in Vanier, against the Ottawa Internationals M1 team. Game starts at 6:30 p.m.

Kickers U13 Girls team gets first shutout

IROQUOIS – The Kickers U13 Girls team hosted the Ottawa Internationals G2 team on August 13 at the Merkley Soccer Fields in Iroquois where they came up with a big 6-0 shutout.

Cameryn Broad started off the scoring early in the first half, followed by a goal by Helene Bygott, 2-0 Seaway at half-time. 

The Kickers continued their lead with a goal by Kristyn VanHoof early in the second, followed by goals from Gracie Perry and Kiana Fredette. 

VanHoof netted her second of the night late in the second half, final score Seaway Kickers 6, Ottawa Internationals 0. 

Cameryn Broad and Kristyn VanHoof shared the shutout in goal, the first shutout for the team this season. 

The U13 Girls team will finish off their season in Ottawa, on August 20, coverage will be in next week’s Leader.

U18 Kickers win big at home

IROQUOIS – The U18 Mixed team hosted Nepean City on August 15 in a high-scoring game that saw Seaway leading 6-1 at the half and winning 14-1. 

Goals were scored by Travis McNeilly(4), Cameron Chayer(3), Ryan Froats(2), Nash Nesbitt-Johnson(1), Evan Mullin(1), Nathan Scarr(1), Clay Dumoulin(1) and Quinn Smail(1). Noah Picotte claims the win in goal. 

The U18 Mixed team will conclude their season  August 22 at home, when they host the Nepean Hotspurs M2 team. Game time is at 6:30 p.m.

U15 Girls shutout Nepean

IROQUOIS – The U15 Girls team shut out the Nepean Hotspurs G1 team August 14, at home in Iroquois. 

Jane Van Morrsel netted the lone goal for the Kickers.

The team plays two games to finish the season, hosting the Ottawa Royals G1 team on August 20, then playing Nepean City in Nepean on August 21. 

Mixed results for U13 Mixed team at tournament

KEMPTVILLE – The Seaway Kickers U13M team competed at the SouthSide Soccer League annual  “FunDay” tournament August 18, playing three games.

Game one against the Ottawa Internationals M1 team ended with a 3-0 shutout win. Connor Dumoulin netted two for the Kickers and Kurt Cutler one with Shawn Dowson and Kendrew Byers sharing the shutout.

Game two saw the Kickers win a 6-0 shutout over the Nepean City M2 team. Scoring for the Kickers were Aaron Tibben(2), Connor Dumoulin(1), Jacob Byvelds(1), Kurt Cutler(1) and Brayden Blacquiere-Rizk(1). Dowson and Byers shared the shutout.

Game Three saw the Ottawa Internationals M3 team shut out the Kickers 1-0.

[…]

 

Who says 13 is unlucky?  Not the Cedar Glen Ladies Valley League Team which ended a 15-year Cedar Glen drought in Ladies Valley League competition here Sunday afternoon, with a 13 stroke victory over second place Summer Heights.

Cedar Glen last won the Valley League golf competition in 1997, and Sunday’s victory made it just two wins since they joined the League in 1991. 

For the win, Cedar Glen posted a total of 874 strokes. Summer Heights scraped out second place by a slim one stroke over Prescott, 887-888 strokes respectively, while Morrisburg was fourth with 924 strokes and Iroquois fifth with 943.

The second place Summer Heights golfers were the defending champions from the 2012 tournament hosted by Morrisburg.

The Ladies Valley League consists of 13-player teams,  plus one spare, from each of the five clubs. There are three players in each of A-B-C-D flights with the two best scores in each counted towards the team total. Also counting in the team totals are the senior players’ totals.

Shari Boyd led the Cedar Glen champs to their victory with an 87, while senior player, Muriel Whitteker posted a strong 90 to back her up. Lynn Shaw added a 94 in A flight, while B flight’s Sheila Bush had a 92 and Sue McIntosh a 97. 

Elise Muir made a big, contribution with a 91 in C flight, while Jocelyn St. Pierre added a 105. Marie Beckstead counted a 107 in D flight, with Corry Witteveen contributing a 111.

Also playing for the Cedar Glen team, (their scores did not count) were Pat Reaney in A flight, Christena Yelle in B, Sheila Crowder in C and Linda Murphy in D. Loretta Van Dellen was their spare.

The low shooter for the day was Vicki Lalonde of Summer Heights who posted an 81 to claim the Trudy Beavers Trophy for low gross in A flight.

Cedar Glen’s Sheila Bush posted a 92 to win the Phyllis Locke Trophy for low gross in B flight.

The lone playoff of the day was in C flight with Cedar Glen’s Elise Muir and Prescott’s Glenda Deir finishing tied with 91s.

Muir claimed the Mildred and Dick Atchison low gross C flight trophy in a sudden death playoff, while Deir settled for the C flight low net win with a 61.

The top shooter in D flight was Cedar Glen’s Marie Beckstead who won the Bank of Montreal trophy with  a 107.

Net wins went to Sue Sloan of Iroquois (87-69 net) in A flight, Julie Bennet of Iroquois (93-67 net) in B flight, Prescott’s Deir in C flight, and Cedar Glen’s Corry Witteveen (111-71 net) in D flight.

Gail Adams of Summer Heights posted an 86 to win the senior low gross Howard Wallace Trophy, and Diane Throop of Prescott won the Jennie Clifford Memorial Trophy for low senior net with an 87 for a 70 net.

Ann Leduc of Summer Heights was the low spare with a 91, and Loretta Van Dellan, Cedar Glen had low net (97-74 net).

Low gross shooters for each team were: Mia Harrison 83, Prescott; Vicki Boivin 88, Morrisburg; Sue Sloan 87, Iroquois; Vicki Lalonde, Summer Heights 81; Shari Boyd 87, Cedar Glen.

It was the 43rd playing of the annual Ladies Valley League golf competition.

[…]

 

He went four over in the first four holes, but Upper Canada golfer Lance LePage got it back together here Saturday, to win the annual Morrisburg Golf Club’s Men’s Open tournament with a 2-over-par 72.

“I started out rough,” said LePage of his double bogey on the par-4 first hole. “I had two, three putts in the first four holes, and they had nothing to with the golf course. It was in excellent shape. The three putts were all me. I missed two putts that were inside three feet.”

That may have been the case on the front nine, but it was the exact opposite on the back, said LePage of his 1-under-par 34 which he added to his front nine 38 for a 72 total and the tournament championship.

On the back nine, Lepage posted a pair of birdies, on the par four 12th hole and the par four 18th.

“I didn’t miss any putts on the back nine. It was a good day, and the greens staff had the course in great shape.”

LePage, a former member of the Morrisburg Club, said he was impressed with the work done on the Morrisburg Golf Course which sees the total re-design and re-build of the third green and a re-shaping and re-sodding of the second green.

“The golf course is in great shape, and the new greens are fantastic. The third green is a great improvement and will be a tricky green to play. It will certainly be interesting to seem some of the pin placements on it.”

With Lepage winning the overall tournament championship, that left Prescott’s Steve Martineau and Brockville’s Peter Gilder tied for the low gross in A flight with 75’s.

A sudden-death playoff on the par four ninth hole and a Martineau birdie settled the issue.

The low net in A flight was won by Upper Canada’s Allan McNairn who shot a 78 for a 68 net.

Following Martineau and Gilder was Prescott’s Rob Kimberly who shot a 77. Ottawa golfer Paul Nooyan shot a 78 and Morrisburg’s Lindsay Weegar carded an 80.

Seven golfers broke the 80 barrier on the day, and among them was Morrisburg’s Dave McClenaghan. His 79 scored the win in B  flight, two strokes up on Prescott’s Bruce Perrin and Upper Canada’s Sam Laurin.

Laurin’s 81 gave him the low net in B flight with a 68.

Next up in B flight was Upper Canada’s Kirk Barkley with an 86. Paul Casselman (Cedar Glen) and Justin McNamee and Mike Bowers all tied with 87’s.

Morrisburg’s Charlie Moore and Larry Gallinger, and Cedar Glen’s Rob Casselman shot 89’s.

Prescott golfers led C flight with Les Randel claiming the win with an 84. Ed Greengrass was second with an 87 which gave him the flight’s low net with a 67.

Morrisburg Club Captain Andy Patenaude was next with an 89 and Mitch Cassell (Morrisburg) carded a 90.

[…]

 

One of the biggest sporting events to come to Eastern Ontario and certainly the biggest golf event ever, the Great Waterway Classic is set to tee off at the Upper Canada Golf Course, August 19-25.

The Great Waterways Classic tournament at Upper Canada next week is a men’s professional golf tour tournament, the seventh tournament on the 2013 PGA Tour Canada schedule. The former Canadian Golf Tour, PGA Tour Canada was taken over by the U.S. PGA Tour last November and competitors are vying for one of five Web.com Tour cards.

Upper Canada is one of four host courses selected to host a Great Waterways Classic/PGA Tour Canada event. The four-course Classic began in 2012, at Smuggler’s Glen in Gananoque. 

It provides an excellent opportunity for local golfers and golf enthusiasts to attend a professionally run tournament, featuring professional players who one day may be playing on the PGA tour.

Over the years, the Canadian Tour has helped to launched the careers of 2003 Master champion Mike Weir and 2005 U.S. Open winner Michael Campbell.

Last week the Great Waterways Classic and PGA Tour Canada officials announced six tournament exemptions, for the 156 player tournament at Upper Canada, three at the junior level and three sponsor exemptions.

Getting the nod for the sponsor exemptions were Kingston golfer Matt McQuillan, Ottawa golfer Andrew Jensen and MacKenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ontario.

The junior-aged players to receive exemptions were Ryan Mitchell of Beaconsfield, Quebec, Chris Wilson of Timmins, Ontario and Tyler Pope-Ferguson of Amherstburg.

At the junior level, five events were held and attracted 400 golfers, giving each the opportunity to qualify and earn a spot in next week’s Classic.

“Close to 400 junior participants was a fantastic turnout,” said Brad Parkins Chief Operations Officer at Canadian Junior Golf Association and the Tournament Director for the Great Waterway Classic.

According to PGA Tour Canada’s Scott Pritchard there were 70 applications for sponsor exemptions. To make the selections, Pritchard explained they were looking for players who would attract fans, players who would appeal to the sponsors and players who would attract the attention of the media.

“We are very excited to be coming to Upper Canada,” he said. “This is the start of a four week stretch for the players. It is an exciting time for the tour, and will be an exciting time for golf in Canada.”

Tournament officials expressed their pleasure in awarding the sponsor exemptions to two players from Eastern Ontario and gave a warm welcome as well to Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ontario.

McQuillan and Jensen  were both present at last week’s  press conference and both had great things to say about the Upper Canada Golf course.

“I am thrilled to be here,” said McQuillan whose best PGA Tour event finish was at the 2011 John Deere Classic in Illinois when he tied for third. “I am very happy to be able to compete so close to home.”

McQuillan, who played the Upper Canada Course for the first time earlier this summer with his dad, rated the local links at “PGA Tour quality.”

Andrew Jensen of Ottawa, too, expressed his delight at playing so close to home. “This is pretty awesome,” he said. “I played a lot of junior golf here. It is nice to play so close to home and to be able to channel some of my junior golf days out here.”

Jensen joined the Canadian Tour in 2008. He did not play in 2011 or 2012 due to injury/health but regained his status for 2013.

Mackenzie Hughes, 22, is a graduate of Kent State University. He was the Canadian Amateur champion in 2011 and 2012 and qualified for the recent 2013 U.S. Open, but did not make the cut. 

Golfers from around the world will be teeing up at Upper Canada next week, which will be a very exciting time for the St. Lawrence Parks Commission, which operates the course, and Course Superintendent Randy Leclair. Leclair was delighted with McQuillan’s comment that Upper Canada was “tour quality.”

“It’s been a bit of a challenge, but everything is looking good,” said Leclair. “The weather was an issue, but August has been good.”

In preparation for the Waterway Classic, Leclair and his crew have completed considerable renovations on the pro tees. One new tee to service both the second and 17th holes was added and work on the course’s par five 14th, allows the narrow hole bounded to the north by a creek and to the south by bush to be played at over 650 yards. The course now features two cuts of rough, an intermediate cut at 1.25 inches and the regular rough at 3-4 inches.

“We have renovated all of the bunkers and done a lot of tree work, particularly on those that come into play off the pro tees,” said Leclair. “Overall, PGA Tour Canada officials, have been very happy with the greens.”

“I am looking forward to getting the course as good as we can, and hopefully the players will enjoy it,” he concluded.

In addition to having the opportunity to attend the tournament, golfers who frequent the Upper Canada Golf course from throughout Ontario, the Ottawa Valley, Quebec and the northern U.S. have been and will continue to enjoy the changes and renovations at the popular course.

For all golf enthusiasts, players and fans of the game, single day passes for the Great Waterway Classic,  Thursday through Sunday, are $10. Week Passes are $25. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-877-508-1069 or by e-mailing gwetickets@cjga.com. Tickets will also be available on site each day at the front entrance.

PGA Tour professional and Ottawa area native Brad Fritsch is the Honourary Chairman of the Great Waterway Classic and The Cornwall Hospital Foundation is the Official Charity.

The 2013 PGA Tour Canada was in Calgary, Alberta, August 6-9 for the ATB Financial Classic. Following the Great Waterway Classic at Upper Canada next week, the Tour heads to the Wildfire Invitational at Peterborough. It goes to Sydney, Nova Scotia September 2-8 and wraps up September 9-15 at the TOUR championship of Canada in London, Ontario.

The money leaders to date are Vancouver Island’s Riley Wheeldon, Wil Collins of South Dakota and Hilton Head’s Joe Panzeri of Idaho who won the recent ATB Financial.

This is an exciting time for area golfers and golf fans to take in some top-notch golf action at the beautiful Upper Canada Golf Course located just east of Morrisburg. 

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