BY SCOTT
HADDOW
Lasalle Secondary School golfer Brennan Doyle is ready to
hibernate for the winter with a full belly of accolades.
He will need his rest, for in the spring, he will face a great
challenge.
The 16-year-old recently won the 2006 NOSSA boys' individual
crown in North Bay by firing a final score of par 72, and also
helped his team finish third overall.
Because he took the boys' belt, Doyle earned himself the
right to compete in the unofficial OFSAA golf championship, but
it will not be decided until June 2007.
The event was held at the North Bay Golf and Country Club.
On top of winning first at NOSSA, Doyle also enjoyed success
this past summer by having the chance to compete in the Ontario
and Canadian junior golf championships, which included a solid
36th place finish at the provincial event.
After placing fifth at the Sudbury city championship, Doyle
was all business at NOSSA.
"After my disappointing finish at cities, I wanted to do
better...I knew I had a better game in me," said Doyle. "I
wanted to finish off my season strong by winning. I practiced
hard...then went out and did it. I putted well, hit most of my
fairways, which was key on the course because it was tight."
Doyle follows in some impressive footsteps of past NOSSA
winners such as Nick Yawney and Adam Evershed.
"It was great too in because I get to go to OFSAA...I am
proud to have my name on the trophy," said the Grade 11
student.
Doyle knows he will be a big fish from a small pond trying
to make noise at the OFSAA series, but isn't fazed by having to
compete on a big stage.
"It will be a great experience...there will be a lot of tough competition," said the golfer of 12 years. "Going to the Canadian and Ontario juniors allowed me to see what the top level of competition really is...I played with all the best players. I proved to myself I can compete with these top guys. I saw where I have to get my game to. Over the winter, I will play some indoor golf and go down south to golf. I will also be in the gym to keep my flexibility."
Doyle's overall game keeps him in constant contention.
"Brennan's game is solid in a lot of areas," said Lasalle
golf coach Roger Finlay. "He has the ability to hit the right
shots when necessary. He's coachable and dependable...a
remarkable talent."
Doyle will have to hone his game for OFSAA.
"He will have to make his best game now his worst game in
the future," said Finlay.
Doyle hopes to parlay his talents into a golf scholarship
down the road and study business.
For now, until the snow covers the links, Doyle will just
keep swinging away.
"You can never be perfect...there's always something to improve."
