Pair of silver medals for Cougars golf teams

While the Cougars men’s and women’s golf teams couldn’t repeat as ACAC champions, they’ll both walk away with their heads held high after claiming a pair of team silver medals at the 2011 ACAC Golf Championship.

The Cougar men, led last year’s individual gold medalist Nathan Schurr, finished six strokes back of the Grant MacEwan Griffins for top spot in the men’s competition, finishing with a team total of 607, while the Griffins checked in at 601. Rounding out third place was the Lethbridge Kodiaks who trailed the Cougars by five strokes, finishing third with a team total of 612.

Not lost in the team success, was once again an excellent performance by Nathan Schurr, who won his second consecutive ACAC individual men’s title with a tournament best 144, beating Grant MacEwan’s Adam Bruce by two strokes.

Schurr trailing by a shot through 15 holes posted birdies on the 16th and 18th holes to best Bruce by two strokes, becoming only the fourth repeat champion in ACAC men’s golf since 1965-66 and first back-to-back champion since Scott Allan of SAIT won consecutive titles 1993-94.

Meanwhile, for the Cougar women, it was another impressive showing, as the team held their own in claiming an ACAC silver medal.

The Cougar women were led by Katie Benoit, who finished tied for second, although officially finished third on a countback, and finished second overall as team.

The Cougar women fell short by only three strokes to the Grant MacEwan Griffins, finishing with a team total of 348, while the Griffins checked in at 345.

Finishing in third was the Lethbridge Kodiaks.

Although the team didn’t defend their titles, head coach Brock Balog was impressed with his troops.

“I thought we put out a great effort,” said Balog. “We faced the strongest field in the ACAC in years and performed well. I was happy with the team, the course and the championship as a whole.”

Next up for the Cougars will be a cross country trek to Charlottetown, P.E.I where they’ll compete in the CCAA National Championship hosted by Holland College October 19-21.

Congratulations and best of luck at nationals!

Men's Full Results:

Women's Full Results:
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The Mount Royal University Cougar men’s and women’s golf teams will look to defend their ACAC titles as they head to the Desert Blume Golf and Country club in Medicine, AB from Oct. 2-3.

Last season, the Cougars Nathan Schurr won the men’s individual competition with a two round total of 147 (73-74), and also helped the Cougars men’s team to their second consecutive ACAC team title.

Meanwhile, for the Cougar women it was Maddie Pedersen leading the charge, winning the women’s individual competition with a 176 (91, 85) and helping her squad to the women’s team title.

Head coach Brock Balog, says his team is ready for the weekend.

“I expect both teams to repeat or defend their championship,” said Balog. “The competition has increased, it will be difficult to defend, but I feel we are all prepared.”

Desert Blume, described as a links style course in a desert setting, plays 6879 from the black tees and can be an extremely challenging course according to Balog.

“It’s a great golf course,” said Balog. “It’s difficult especially the rough, more so than anything the ACAC has played on so far this year. We welcome the challenge and feel it brings out the best of us of a player having a more difficult golf course, which we pride ourselves in competing on.”

Glenn Racz, Head Golf Professional at Desert Blume , said it is imperative “that you put the ball in play,” and added “if the winds are up it is a good club and a half whether it is up hill or downhill.”

The first round tees off on Sunday, Oct.2 with day two of the competition wrapping up on Monday, Oct.3.

To follow the action live online, click here.

Best of luck on the links Cougars!

-With files from the ACAC