Windy conditions throw a wrench into Griffins' results at CCAA nationals
MacEwan Athletics
Windy conditions put a damper on the final tournament of Griffins Elizabeth Stewart's and Daniela Donnelly's university careers at the 2017 CCAA PING golf national championship last week in Whitby, Ont.
Scores across the field ballooned, but, for the Griffins, the inclement weather especially affected their results as they settled for a seventh-place team finish out of eight. Their tally of 728 even placed them behind Medicine Hat, a team that they beat with ease throughout the ACAC campaign.
Stewart, who won the second All-Canadian award of her university career at the CCAA pre-tournament banquet, managed just one of her rounds in the 80s at the tough Royal Ashburn track and finished tied for 17th (91-86-94-95). She had a personal best round of 74 at an ACAC tournament earlier this season, so it's not hard to see how much the conditions affected her.
"The scores were not a reflection of how the girls were playing," said Griffins head coach Jodi Campbell. "Many days they would finish off their round and they would be looking at me and saying, 'I hit the ball so good, but just could not score very well.'
"I think that was a true reflection of the week. They just weren't able to get some momentum going and to start to see some better results produced. It just seemed to compound every day to the point they just weren't able to get any momentum from it."
Griffins rookie Hailey Turcotte tied with Stewart for 17th after rounds of 93, 98, 90 and 85, also higher than she's accustomed to. Donnelly finished 20th (98-95-96-94).
Campbell noted that despite the finish, fifth-year players Stewart and Donnelly enjoyed the final tournament before graduating from MacEwan.
"There's no question it was a special week for both Daniela and Lizzie," said Campbell. "I think what made them kind of adjust our expectations for the week was when they realized it wasn't just them. The entire field on both the men's and women's side were finding their scores elevated throughout the week. In one way, it kind of made them feel better because 'OK, it's not just us who are out here battling.'
"At the same time, there's no question they wanted to be able to have that final event be just an amazing experience," he added. "Even though the golf didn't produce the scores they wanted to, we had a blast as a team. It was so much fun. Going to nationals is an experience they'll remember for a long time and there's nothing that can diminish that."
