Armed with an all-local team, the Laurentian
University MenÂ's Golf Team put forth a respectable effort in
their first season of competing in the Ontario University
Athletics (OUA) golf scene. After a successful stint as a club
team during the 2004 season, the Voyageurs attempted to build
on some strong individual efforts and make a splash in the OUA
in 2005.
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In the summer, Laurentian announced that Paul
Schweyer, head pro at Idlwyde Golf and Country Club and
Laurentian alumni, would be the first head coach of the menÂ's
golf team. Harold Rose, a part time professor in the Laurentian
Mathematics department, was also added as an assistant
coach.
Play began in September as open tryouts were
held at Idlwyde and five players including one alternate were
chosen to represent the Voyageurs. Yves Fraser (Sudbury), Steve
Clark (Sudbury), Jason Kauffeldt (Valley East), Brian Ceaser
(Lively), Maxwell Kallio (Lively) and Ryan Whissell (Lively)
were all selected.
Tournament play began with the Challenge Cup
at the Elmira Golf Club, in early October as Laurentian hit the
course looking to send a message to the rest of the OUA.
Although the Voyageurs played well individually they could not
capitalize on the match play style of the tournament and
finished in seventh place. Both Whissell and Kauffeldt put in
strong efforts to lead the charge. The season continued with a
tenth place finish in the UWO Invitational at the St. Thomas
Golf Club then on to the OUA championships in London playing at
Sunningdale Golf Club.
The men came out hot on the first of two days
of competition ending the day tied for fourth place with the
University of Toronto and only three shots back of a podium
finish. Brian Ceaser shot a 73 and sat tied for the overall
lead. The Voyageurs could not carry this momentum into day two
as Ceaser and company fell out of contention and finished in
eleventh place overall with a final score of 644.
The disappointment of this yearÂ's OUA
championships will hopefully fuel the players for another run
next season. The outlook looks bright for next year as all
players are eligible to return for 2006. If the Voyageurs can
turn their flashes of brilliance into consistent play they have
the possibility of contending for an OUA title in the near
future.
