Optimist Junior Linksters Off To A Brave Start

With files and results from the Harry White Optimist network of volunteers

The junior program's first event of 2009, the Spring Match Play, teed-off March 14-15 at Kensington GC in Burnaby, and the nearby Rupert Park GC in Vancouver, B.C., both courses that are operated by their respective Parks Boards.

All three of the aces were recorded at Kensington course. On day one James Hunter, a 13-year old from Vancouver, smoothed his wedge shot into the cup on the 14th Hole. On day two, Surrey resident Sy Lovan, age 10, put a 1 on his score card after acing the 4th Hole. Then came 10-year-old Shania Remandaban of Coquitlam, with her ace on the 10th Hole.

Scott Farrell of Burnaby, a Junior Linkster alumni and the on-site tournament Director, who was following the play at Kensington, happened to be at the 10th tee when Shania's group was waiting for the group ahead to putt out. Scott asked the young miss "how many hole-in-one's have you had?" Shania kiddingly replied, "five", to which her father quickly added "are you sure you're telling the truth?" Sheepishly Shania responded, "I really have never had an 'ace."

Shania then stepped onto the tee, hit her drive straight at the pin and watched it land on the green, take two bounces and roll into the cup. With spectators screaming, Shania seemed to be in shock and had to ask, "what happened?" On a day when only family members made up the galleries there were no less than three witnesses for each memorable feat.

Results of the two-day matches for the Junior Girls Division saw the classy Stephanie Wong of Richmond, take first place over Remandaban, despite her ace. Newcomer Lana Gill of Vancouver finished third ahead of Kamloops' Rachelle Nielsen.

Boy's Age 11-12 "Bear Cub" Division winner, Sy Lovan of Surrey, made good use of his second day "ace" in winning the scheduled 36-hole match over North Vancouver's Cameron Burns.

Boy's Age 13-15 "Tiger Cub" Division winner Kevin Vigna of Burnaby happily accepted the first place trophy over pal and clubmate Lucas Gatto of Vancouver. Some terrific golf was on display by these two lads, with day one hole-in-one "ace", James Hunter of Vancouver, settling for the bronze medal. These three juniors regularly step into the winner's circle.

Event #1
OPTIMIST JUNIOR LINKSTER TOUR
March 14-15
Kensington GC, Burnaby, B.C. Par 54, 1,450 Yards

Junior Girls Division
1. Stephanie Wong (Richmond, B.C.)
2. Shania Remandaban (Coquitlam, B.C.)
3. Lana Gill (Vancouver, B.C.)
4. Rachelle Nielsen (Kamloops, B.C.)

Boy's Age 11-12 "Bear Cub"Division
1. Sy Lovan (Surrey, B.C.)
2. Cameron Burns (N. Vancouver, B.C.)

Boy's Age 13-15 "Tiger Cubs" Division
1. Kevin Vigna (Burnaby)
2. Lucas Gatto (Vancouver)
3. James Hunter (Vancouver)
4. Taylor Durham (N. Vancouver)
5. Tony Mak (Richmond, B.C.)
6. Kevin Lin (Vancouver, B.C.)

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

There is nothing quite like playing golf in a blizzard, as the intrepid Optimist Junior Linkster juniors in the "Pee Wee" and "Divot" divisions - Age 5-10 experienced. Visitors from Victoria and Nanaimo added to the tournament field and although no hole-in-ones were recorded, chip-in's, playoff's and skills contests did happen

Age 6 & Under "Pee Wees" winner, from Victoria, was Jeevan Sihota, a new member who triumphed over Ricky Wen of Richmond. Four and half year-old Rogan Campbell, also of Richmond, gleefully accepted a bronze medal for third place.

The Age 7 - 8 "Pee Wees" champ was Richmond's Michael Crisologo and in a narrow victory over Ethan Choi of Coquitlam. Ilirian Zalli of Vancouver, settled for the third place spot and the bronze medal. Look out next time!

Age 9 - 10 "Divots" winner Diego San Pedro, was one of the Richmond products who survived a match against Christian Zalli of Vancouver, who won a silver medal.

Junior Girls Division winner was the hard working Tiffany Kong of Vancouver, who claimed the trophy over new member and visitor from Nanaimo, Shirin Anjarwalla. Surrey's young Claire Lovan, always a bright life at the B.C. Optimist Junior Linkster Tour events, won bronze.

These youngsters are an inspiration to all who play golf and great role models for adults too!

Event #1a,
OPTIMIST JUNIOR LINKSTER TOUR
March 14-15
Vancouver Parks Board Rupert Park GC, Par 54, 1,235 yds

Age 6 & Under "Pee Wees"
1. Jeevan Sihota (Victoria)
2. Ricky Wen (Richmond)
3. Rogan Campbell (Richmond)
4.
Age 7 - 8 "Pee Wees"
1. Michael Crisologo (Richmond) Skills Winners: Putt: Michael
2. Ethan Choi (Coquitlam) : Chip: Ethan
3. Ilirian Zalli (Vancouver)

Age 9 - 10 "Divots"
1. Diego San Pedro (Richmond) Skills Winners: Putt: Christian
2. Christian Zalli (Vancouver) : Chip: Eric
3. A.J Ewart (Coquitlam)
4. Eric Wu (Surrey0

Junior Girls Division
1. Tiffany Kong (Vancouver) Skills Winners: Putt & Chip: Tiffany
2. Shirin Anjarwalla (Nanaimo)
3. Claire Lovan (Surrey)

Many thanks to our dedicated Optimist Volunteer committee: @ Rupert Park: Jan Lovan, Ruel Perez, Roseabell Crisologo
@ Kensington: Scott Farrell & Earvin Remandaban

UPCOMING OPTIMIST JUNIOR LINKSTER TOUR Programs
March 21 @ Birdies & Buckets -
Age 5-15 juniors and parents/relatives, etc. 11 a.m.

March 28 @ Guildford GC, Surrey -
Age 5-15 junior/divot teams 2 p.m.

March 29 @ Birdies & Buckets -
RULES CLINIC & Skills Contests 1 p.m.

For more Junior Golf Program Information visit OPTIMIST JUNIOR LINKSTER TOUR
or contact Harry White at jrlinkster@shaw.ca
or telephone: (604) 261-4390