Ontario’s best females golfers drive to Windsor for tournament

 

The Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association hosted their ladies golf tournament in Windsor once again. The two day event took place on Oct. 12 and 13. More than 100 golfers came from 80 schools in 18 regions to compete. Roseland Golf and Curling Club was the host venue for the second consecutive year, preceding Essex Golf and Country Club which hosted the event in 2014.

This was a year of firsts for the tournament. In the past, the event was a one day, one round event. For the first time, the event spanned over two days, much like the OFSAA boys golf events do. This is also the first year the participants were able to wear corporate logos such as Nike or Under Armour.

Making an event like this happen is no easy task and behind it all is Vilanova’s Fernando Brunone. He said the event has generated a great response.

“For the most part everything has been positive,” said Brunone. “I heard some constructive criticism last year but nothing major.”

Brunone is serving as convener for his fourth OFSAA event. After attending an OFSAA event in Toronto in 2008, he answered the call and volunteered to host the following season’s tournament. Since then he has hosted three female tournaments and one male tournament dating back to 2009.

Planning the 2016 tournament was time sensitive. The event was not originally intended to be hosted locally, but instead in Richmond Hill, ON. An issue arose and Richmond Hill was forced to withdraw from hosting the event. OFSAA officials then approached Brunone, trusting his experience and asked him to serve as convener sometime in late June. His experience was key and his organization skills made the task of hosting on short notice much easier.  

This year’s OFSAA title will not be defended, as last year’s champion Isabella Potokalis is not participating. The top local performer from last season’s event Sandwich Secondary’s Megan Schauer, is also not participating, as she is now attending Tennessee Wesleyan University.

Nonetheless, this year’s local talent pool is strong. Holy Names Catholic High School tenth grader Jasmine Ly is the area’s top performer. In her most recent high school event, Ly placed second in the South Western Ontario regional. She also finished as the Jamieson Junior Golf Tour champion.

As one of many local golfers, Ly was not phased by the home course advantage.

“It helped me a bit but you still have to shoot well,” said Ly

Ly is joined by other local golfers such as Brennan’s Shannon Coffey, Riverside’s Hannah Meloche, Holy Names’ Rachel Cote, Cardinal Carter’s Gioia Diococco, Lajeuensse’s Hannah Prieur and Villanova’s Sophia Fallea, Olivia Morasutti and Kate Latella.

The golfers were separated into 28 groups Wednesday. The first day concluded with a banquet for the participants and their families. After the first day, the top 50 participants were entered into the top tier. The remaining 60 golfers competed in tier II.

“The level of competition was good,” Ly said. “I know a lot of the local girls from tour play but I was impressed with the others.”

Brennan’s Coffey finished fifth in the top tier after posting a two day score of 151. Second place in the top tier was awarded to Tilbury District High School’s Hailey Katona who shot 145. The gold medal went to Jasmine Ly, who shot an opening round 68, followed by a day two score of 73 finishing with the best score of the event.

OFSAA officials are pleased with the direction the tournament is going. There is no word yet on where the event will be held in 2017. Brunone will have to wait and see on his convening four-peat, but says he would take on the task with open arms.