KELOWNA, B.C. – After an idyllic fall afternoon in the Okanagan, the host UBC Okanagan Heat and the UBC Thunderbirds hold the lead in the men’s and women’s events after round one of the 2024 Canada West Golf Championships at the Okanagan Golf Club.
With the top two golfers in the field, and three of the top five overall, UBCO was the story on day one in the men’s event as the Heat chase their first-ever Canada West Championship. Led by second-year Ryan Gillis, the Heat combined to shoot 15-under par 273 as they sit seven shots clear of the second place Victoria Vikes, who shot eight-under par 280.
The defending Canada West champions, the UBC Thunderbirds, sit third after shooting four-under par 284.
Gillis was on fire in the opening round as he blitzed the Bear Course at the Okanagan Golf Club with a sparkling round of eight-under par 64. Featuring nine birdies and just a single bogey, Gillis tied the low round posted at the Canada West Championship, matching the mark set by Daniel Campbell of UFV in the inaugural championship back in 2019.
Gillis, who will be looking to keep the individual title with the Heat after back-to-back wins by former UBCO standout Justin Towill, leads by three shots over teammate Thomas Lemay. Lemay sits at five-under par 67 while a pair of Victoria Vikes, Jagre Knight and Becker Gilewich, are tied for third at three-under par 69.
UBC, the four-time defending champions on the women’s side, got off to another strong start as they look for a fifth consecutive title. The Thunderbirds, with three golfers in the top five individually, shot two-under par 217 to sit eight shots ahead of the host UBC Okanagan Heat. UBCO sits second after a round of six-over par 225 while the UFV Cascades round out the top three at nine-over par 228.
Four golfers will be in hot pursuit of the individual title on Tuesday as UFV’s Morgan Best, UBC’s Grace Bell and Elizabeth Labbe, along with UBCO’s Bess Chan, all sit at one-under par 72.
Defending individual champion Jessica Ng is also in the mix, alone in fifth place at even-par 73 and in total, 10 golfers are within three shots of the lead which will make for an exciting final round.
Round two will start at 11 a.m. on Tuesday with a shotgun start and following the tournament, the individual and team medals, along with the Canada West all-stars, will be announced.
Women’s Team Standings – After Round 1
Men’s Team Standings – After Round 1
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Photo Link #1 (Credit Connor Hood)
Photo Link #2 (Credit Carlo Borella)