Scott Whalen has an itch to scratch, and the only way to satisfy it is by winning the boys' NOSSA golf championship.
Whalen, a Grade 12 St. Charles College student, took the Sudbury city championship recently in dramatic fashion, disposing of Lively's Brandon Petrenko in extra holes. Whalen and Petrenko were tied at 71 after the final round. It took four extra holes for Whalen to claim the championship.
It was the second straight city crown for Whalen, who now
wants to add a NOSSA title to his collection.The NOSSA golf
championship begins Thursday at the North Bay Golf and Country
Club.
"I am going for first place," said Whalen. "If I win, I can
go to OFSAA and compete against the best golfers in the
province. It would be a big boost for me."
Whalen has his plan mapped out. He wants to keep it simple
with his strong overall game and force other golfers to make
mistakes.
"If I play my game, I should win," said the 17-year-old. "My
strengths are driving the ball accurately and making putts. If
I keep it up, I should be successful."
Whalen's methodical game and approach impresses St. Charles
golf coach Peter Stankiewicz.
"He's been playing consistent all year and I don't
see it stopping," said Stankiewicz. "He just has to keep
playing the way he can play. He has to focus and not get
frustrated. He can't concern himself with a bad shot here
or there because other golfers will make mistakes too."
Hot on his heels will be Petrenko, who will be looking to
not only usurp Whalen in North Bay, but also get some
redemption.
"This is my fourth NOSSA golf championship," said Whalen. "I
haven't done well at past events, but hopefully it will
change this year. I want to win. I lost the city championship
in extra holes, so it's on my mind."
Petrenko's game is rounding into form.
"My short game is working well for me...my putting has been
really good," said the Grade 12 student. "It usually isn't,
but I'll take it. I have to hit everything in regulation to
have kind of success."
Despite her age and inexperience, Sitko is looking to raise the girls' OSSA trophy over her head at the end of the event. Sitko took the girls' city crown by force recently. She won by firing a final score of 84, the lowest total in Sudbury girls' high school golf since 1994. Sitko finished 10 shots ahead of her nearest competitor.
"It's cool to go to NOSSA," said the 14-year-old.
"I've never played in a big tournament before, so I am
looking forward to this one. I am a little nervous and
anxious."
Sitko knows she has to play like a savvy vet to win.
"I have to hit the fairways and not lose any balls," said the Grade Nine student. "At the city championships, I didn't lose any balls and having no penalty strokes really helps. I also have to keep up my short game, especially putting. I have to keep my putts to one or two, not three or four."
There are a host of other local qualifying golfers going as
well, but full were unavailable at press time.
