UXBRIDGE/STOUFFVILLE — The Investors Group Junior Boys’ and Girls’ Spring Classics wrapped up on May 22 from Wooden Sticks Golf Club in Uxbridge and Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Stouffville. Heading into the final rounds, Thornhill’s Kelvin Lim held a one-shot lead in the boys’ championship, while Richmond Hill’s Monet Chun was eight clear of the field in the girls’ competition. The rounds produced few dramatics, as both leaders were able to see their leads through to the championship.
Investors Group Junior Boys’ Spring Classic
The 15-year-old Lim got out to a consistent start with pars on his first four holes. A pair of bogeys would drop the Station Creek Golf Club member back to three-over as he made the turn. Lim birdied the par-five 14th before finishing his round with a bogey on 18. Still, even with a two-over (74), he was able to claim the title at three-over (75-70-74-219). Lim also won the Juvenile Championship.
For Lim, his success during the three days was all about sticking to his routine. “Yesterday the weather was pretty bad but I just stayed focused,” said Lim. “I just thought about my routine, my swing and grinded through the round. As for today, I was hitting the ball really well, despite not being able to make anything. I focused on myself and not my opponents, I had a score in my mind and tried to achieve that. This win definitely makes me feel more confident heading into the rest of the season.”
Finishing in a tie for second place were Mississauga’s Sudarshan Yellamaraju and Cobourg’s Nicholas Oosterhof. Yellamaraju, 15 from Blue Springs Golf Club, began the day in second, one-back of Lim. He got out to a rough start and was five-over as he got to the ninth tee. He would birdie the ninth as well as the 18th to help him finish three-over (75). That brought him to five-over (72-74-75-221) for the tournament.
As for Oosterhof, from Dalewood Golf Club, he began the day six-over but had one of the low rounds at one-under (71). Oosterhof, 18-years-old, was even after the front nine but hit birdies on 14 and 16, after a bogey on 12, to finish one-under. He finished the tournament five-over (75-75-71-221).
For full tournament information, including the final leaderboard see the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao176/index.htm
Investors Group Junior Girls’ Spring Classic
Over at the Junior Girls’ Spring Classic, Chun, 16-years-old from Summit Golf & Country Club capped off an impressive week with an 11-stroke win. The Golf Canada Development Squad and former Team Ontario member finished the final round two-over (74). After an even front nine, Chun would bogey 10 and 17, but still took the win comfortably. She finished the tournament four-over (71-75-74-220).
After the win, Chun spoke about what helped her this week to capture the title. “It was a tough week here at Sleepy Hollow. I struggled with my putting, but my shots helped to keep me in good shape.”
“Coming into the round I tried to focus on staying even and remain consistent throughout the day. I have been playing in the Spring Classic for about five or six years and think it is a great tournament to win considering all of the top players who have played in it before,” added Chun.
Picking up the silver was Maple’s Alyssa DiMarcantonio. DiMarcantonio, from Station Creek Golf Club, began the day in second but was unable to catch the leader. The 14-year-old did begin the day two-under, but would finish five-over (77). She ended the tournament at 15-over (75-79-77-231).
Rounding out the top three with the bronze was Richmond Hill’s Emily Zhu. Zhu, 13, started the round in a four-way tie for third but separated herself from the pack. Zhu followed up an even front nine by going four-over on the back. That brought her tournament total to 16-over (75-81-76-232)
Full information, including the final leaderboard can be found on the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao1726/index.htm
Golf Ontario would like to thank both Wooden Sticks Golf Club and Sleepy Hollow Country Club, along with their staffs, for hosting the events. Thanks also to Investors Group and the Golf Ontario volunteers for their continued support of golf in the province.
About the Investors Group Spring Classic
The Investors Group Junior Spring Classic is a 54-hole stroke-play competition contested annually over the Victoria Day long weekend that features many of Ontario’s best male and female junior golfers. The field of competitors gained entry to the competition through a qualifying process earlier in the season.