Ferguson shows fall golf is his game

       PCI golfer wins WOSSAA, while the Central Elgin Titans repeat as team champions 

By Rob J. Ross

Thursday, September 28, 2017

UNION, Ont. - A sizzling back nine carried Jack Ferguson to the top of the leader-board.

Ferguson shot a 74 over 18 holes, to win the WOSSAA boys' golf championship, by two strokes, at the St. Thomas Golf and Country Club.

Ferguson, along with runner-up Zach Friesen of Woodstock St. Mary's and the Central Elgin Titan team, of Satshia Tep-Chhun and Brady and Landon Johnstone, qualify for OFSAA, at the Kingsville Golf and Country Club, October 11-12.

The Parkside C.I. student started slowly over the first nine holes, but found his form midway through the course.

"Not the start I was looking for. The front nine I had a 42. I didn't play too well. But I eagled (hole) 12 and 14 I birdied. That was the turning point," said Ferguson. "I made good putts and got some momentum and then played safe golf from 14 to 18."

Ferguson shot a 32 over the back nine and finished his round birdying 18.

"The whole time the number in my head was 75 or lower, to give me a chance (at OFSAA). When I made the putt for birdie on 18, I thought my score would definitely get me in."

At two previous WOSSAA tournaments, Ferguson came close to qualifying for the high school provincial event.

Last year, Ferguson finished third, two strokes off the leader. Before that, the Parkside team placed second.

"Fall golf is my type of golf."

Brady Johnstone  and Evan Connell, from London Laurier, shared third place, with 77's. Landon Johnstone was fifth, while Dorchester's Jayden Boddy, finished tied for eighth, carding an 80.

The Titans repeated as team champions, combining for a score of 237, 10 shots clear of second place Woodstock St. Mary's, at 247. London Oakridge followed in third place, a stroke behind St. Mary's, while Parkside finished fourth, with a combined score of 249.

"It was nice finishing third.  A little bonus to go with our team winning," Brady Johnstone said. "My round didn't start off well. I had a double on my fourth hole, but other than that I didn't make any big numbers. I was consistent."

CECI repeated the feat achieved a year ago, winning both Thames Valley Region (TVRA) and WOSSAA and qualifying for OFSAA.

"A bit of pressure feeling on yourself because you kind of think you should make it again. We all can shoot in the 70's and that's what we felt we needed. We felt good as a team (entering WOSSAA)," Brady said. "(OFSAA), last year was an ice breaker. It was a good experience. This year, maybe we have a chance at OFSAA (medal)."

Tep-Chhun finished with an 82.

Sheldon Pryce, of Clinton St. Anne's, has the field's only hole-in-one, accomplishing the feat on hole nine. Pryce finished with an 85.

Landon Underhill led the East Elgin Eagles, with a round of 84. St. Joseph's Brett Chapman carded an 86. Aidan Smith, the TVRA champion, with a 75, couldn't repeat the performance, leaving WOSSAA, with an 85.