Hofland and Kennedy win in Playoffs, KNox Fires Career round at Hidden Lake

A putt lips out during Bantam Playoff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

By: Michaela DiMarcantonio

BURLINGTON, Ont. – The Hamilton Halton Junior Golf Tour (HHJGT) kicked off its 32nd season Thursday July 2nd at Clublink’s Hidden Lake Golf Club (New Course) for Tour Stop #1. Nick Hofland captured the Junior Boys division in a playoff while extra holes were also required to award Ryan Kennedy the Bantam division title. Jennifer Knox secured the Junior Girls division with a career low round.

 Nick Hofland was the first off the tee at Hidden Lake Golf Course on Thursday morning. He began the day with a bogey and collected three others and a single birdie before making the turn at 3-over. It wasn’t until the back nine that Hofland gained the momentum needed to propel him to the top of the leaderboard. He charged with a birdie on the par 3 hole #11 before adding an eagle to the card on the par 5 hole #14 and a birdie on the 16th hole for a 3-under 33 back nine score. He posted the early clubhouse lead with an even-par round of 71....

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Nick Hofland Junior Division Winner

Ryan Kennedy Won on 3rd Playoff Hole

An hour later, Desmond Primeau also signed for a round of 71 at his home course. Desmond’s play was consistent throughout the day with just three bogeys and three birdies on the card among strings of pars. 

Hofland and Primeau went back onto the course to determine the season’s first medalist. On the first playoff hole Hofland was able to sink a short par putt for the win over Primeau and 300 HHJGT points. As runner-up Primeau collected 250 points. 

Earning 225 points was third place finisher in the Junior Boys division, Marcus Khaw, who won 4 times in the Bantam Division in 2014. Khaw ended the day one back of the lead with a 1-over-par 72. 

After 18 holes the Bantam leaderboard also had a tie at the top with Ryan Kennedy, Luca Carestia and Tyler Cunningham all shooting a 9-over-par 80. On the third playoff hole Kennedy hit a majestic iron shot into the par 3 to four feet.  With Carestia being eliminated after the second hole, Tyler Cunningham had nearly 50 feet for birdie in which he left 1 revolution from falling into the hole for birdie.  With Cunningham in for par, Kennedy struck his birdie putt and it caught the bottom lip and into the bottom of the hole for the victory.  He earned 300 points for the win. Carestia and Cunningham each collected 237.50 points for their share of second.  

The Junior Girls division also had an exciting finish as Jennifer Knox recorded her career low round with a 5-over-par 76. 

“I shot my lowest round ever today.” Said Knox while signing her scorecard. “I saw an old set of my Dad’s (Callaway X Steel) irons in the basement, I liked the feel of the grips, so I used them.” 

The different irons worked beautifully as Knox birdied the par 3 third hole and played steady with confidence the rest of the way . Her performance earned her 300 points as she makes a charge for the overall 2015 HHJGT Junior Girls division title. 

 In second place for the Junior Girls division and earning 250 points was Ellis Harvey pointing a round of 87. In third place, earning 225 points was Abby White with a round of 98.

NEW for 2015 will see any player winning multiple times earn 50 extra points toward the season long Point Standings.  The winners today will be in a great position to earn a solid Tour finish if they can find the winner’s circle for a second time this season.

To view full results from Tour Stop #1 at Hidden Lake Golf Club (New Course) on the Taylor Leibow Leaderboard please click here. 

The HHJGT will continue its season with Tour Stop #2 on Monday July 6 hosted at Glendale Golf and Country Club. 

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Jennifer Knox