The 2013 PING CCAA Golf National Championships took place in Quebec City last week, where STU’s golf team made its first ever appearance.
The Tommies captured silver for the second consecutive year at the ACAA Championships in early October. Usually only the first place winner heads to compete nationally, but STU entered for a fill position and got it.
Athletics director Mike Eagles is thrilled the team and the school are getting exposure at the national level.
“It’s a real positive for the program. We want to use our varsity program to recruit students to St. Thomas. That’s pretty much my number one rule. If you have a varsity sport, it should have the chance to bring you students. It’s a profile for the university and for potential golfers,” he said.
Only five STU golfers were sent to Quebec City, captain John Lynch, Ryan Cooke, Douglas MacFarlane, Parker Muzzerall and Walter Works.
With the exception of Muzzerall, STU made up four of the bottom five scores. STU finished last of the 15 teams that competed.
The golf program was started under former athletics director Jennifer Myers only a few years ago, meaning it still needs time to grow. The team came second in their division for the past two years.
Walter Works has been on the golf team for four years and is happy to see the program get an opportunity to play against the best teams in the country.
“Recognizing the high calibre of golf being played at other schools throughout Canada will make a huge difference in our team’s preparations,” he said.
Works said he and the team enjoyed their time in Quebec City because it gave them a chance to show off St. Thomas.
“We just wanted to show that we could represent our school and program well on the national stage.”
