Creston welcomed the largest turnout in years for high school golf in the Kootenays, as 67 students from 15 schools competed in the two-day zone playoffs on May 21 and 22.
Schools from across the region — including as far as Golden and Midway — converged on the Creston Golf Club for a shot at qualifying for provincials.
"Junior golf is certainly growing in the Kootenays, and it was amazing to be given the opportunity to showcase our beautiful course and community," said team manager Melanie Lankhaar-Rejman.
The competition included A, AA, and AAA division schools, offering a full slate of talent on the greens.
The high school golf season began in late March, with several "play days" leading up to the playoffs. Kootenay River Secondary School (KRSS) fielded a team of nine golfers this year: Brant Storm, Hayden Beaudoin, Phoenix Walker, Evan Felitsyn, Drayden Miller, Ashlyn Rejman, Sofia Huscroft, Payton Larson, and Kate Darby. Five of those athletes — Storm, Beaudoin, Walker, Miller, and Rejman — competed in Christina Lake and Balfour ahead of Creston’s April 17 play day and the season-ending zone championship.
Two KRSS golfers stood out during the playoffs: Grade 12 student Storm posted the lowest overall male score with a 74, while Grade 10’s Rejman shot an 86 to lead the female division. Rejman also claimed the longest drive for female competitors on hole #7.
As a team, KRSS finished fourth in the AA division with a combined score of 365, coached by Laura Wigen and Don Price.
"It was encouraging to see so many young golfers with exceptional skills enjoying our course over the two days," said Lankhaar-Rejman. "Definitely looking forward to hosting more events in the future and seeing our high school junior golf program grow."
Schools advancing to provincials:
- A Division: Golden Secondary (361) - competing in Kelowna
- AA Division: Selkirk Secondary, Kimberley (326) - heading to Pemberton
- AAA Division: JL Crowe, Trail (357) - bound for Salmon Arm
Final zone results:
AAA Division
- Trail (JL Crowe) – 357
- Cranbrook (MBSS) – 384
AA Division
- Kimberley (Selkirk) – 326
- Invermere (DTSS) – 331
- Castlegar (SHSS) – 351
- Creston (KRSS) – 365
- Fernie (FSS) – 389
- Grand Forks (GFSS) – 395
A Division
- Golden (GSS) – 361
- Cranbrook (Parkland) – 370
- Midway (BCSS) – 374
- Nakusp (NSS) – 392
- Nelson (Trafalgar) – 408
- Sparwood/Elkford (SS/ESS) – 457
Organizers extended thanks to the Creston Golf Club’s pro shop and clubhouse staff for accommodating the large group, as well as to James Kemp for volunteering as a set-up and course marshal, and to Pealow’s Independent Grocer for donating healthy snacks for all participants.
