Four!

That’s the number of Hunting Hills High School students who made up the boys’ golf team this year which headed west of Calgary for the Alberta Schools Athletics Association provincial golf championships earlier this month.

When the final putt had dropped Logan Hill, Bryce Kopec, Grant Numrich and Jordan Williamson were crowned the 3A/4A provincial champions.

“We are really proud of them,” said first-year coach Dylan Winnicky. “We knew we had two really strong individuals who were gunning for first place as an individual and our other two players really stepped up and made it possible to win the team event.”

The two-day event was held at Redwood Meadows and River Spirit golf courses in wet, windy and cold conditions and the Hunting Hills team handled the weather the best with a one stroke lead after the first day and winning the tournament by nine shots in the end.

Grade 11 student Jordan Williamson managed to shoot the second best score on day two, firing a 73 which Winnicky said really helped the team win the provincial title.

The team did manage to get in a practice round at each course and discuss a strategy heading into the tournament which Winnicky said certainly helped in the end.

“I think it helped our two younger players, just kind of sticking to a game plan and not veering off of what clubs to hit on some of the risky par fours and par fives.”

The coach also passed along some credit to the team being able to use the facilities out at Lakewood Golf Resort where Red Deer College golf coach Scott Bergdahl helped the players, providing feedback on their swings.

It’s the fourth provincial golf title for the school and Winnicky says the fallout from the win may help in growing the program down the road.

“I think it’s exciting, just for recruiting for next year. Already having some girls wanting to come out and put a girls team in as well. I think it’s only good promotion for Hunting Hills golf.”

He agrees these provincial championships are good for growing the sport right across the province.

“It’s giving high school kids a chance to compete in tournaments and a tournament like this it opens up doors for college,” he said. “It’s good for those boys to get some tournament action in and build a resume for college golf.”

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