Head coach John Randle of the Camosun Chargers men's golf team will not have to make a motivational speech before his squad begins the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association national championship today at the Oshawa Golf Club.
"The guys know how bad it felt to lose the Pacwest championship,'' said Randle. "As soon as we left Chilliwack [site of the last of four Pacwest tournaments], the guys started looking towards the nationals. Emotionally, they will be ready for it. They will be going to the nationals with a chip on their shoulders and sometimes that is good for a team.''
The Camosun team of Jarred Callbeck, Jared Hundza, Kevin Walz, Grant Maskiewich and Kevin Bredy entered the final round of the Pacwest tournament with a nine-shot lead over the University of Fraser Valley Cascades. Fraser Valley stormed back to tie Camo-sun and then was awarded the championship by virtue of the tiebreaker. The Chargers were the defending champions.
At last year's nationals, the Chargers finished in fourth place, losing another tiebreaker to Fraser Valley.
"We have been preparing for the nationals all year and losing the Pacwest title made my job easier," said Randle. "Losing to our arch-rivals from Fraser Valley is the only motivation our team needs. Now, we just have to make sure that they have enough rest and that they are ready to go."
While the Chargers had to settle for silver in Chilliwack, Callbeck, who was a two-time Pacwest athlete of the week, won the individual honours.
"It was pretty cool to finish on top,'' said Callbeck. "I played eight conservative rounds of golf and I didn't make a lot of big mistakes.
"I'm excited about going to the nationals. Our team in hungry to win the overall title and avenge that loss to Fraser Valley.''
Callbeck completed the 144 holes with a score of 578, five ahead of Aaron Pauls from Fraser Valley. Cody Bell and UBC-Okanagan teammate William Deck tied for third at 586.
"I have played in Canadian junior and amateur championships but this will be my first time at a national competition in a team event."
After each of the three rounds, the top four scores from the team of five are used to determine the placings.
The Humber College Hawks from Ontario have won the last three titles. [email protected]
