Lai repeats as WOSSAA girls golf champ

MITCHELL, Ont. - St. Joseph's Rams teammates Andrea Lai and Melissa Gillies are returning to OFSAA girls golf. Lai repeated as WOSSAA champion, laying down an incredible five-under 67, on a cloudy day with occasional showers October 1, at the Mitchell Golf Club.

"My round was solid today. My putting was my strongest suit today. I was making 30-footers and 25-footers from everywhere, so I was really happy with the result today," Lai said. "After the first hole. I had a 20-footer for par. It was a good momentum booster and good way to start my round.

Gillies placed fourth overall, third in the high school division, carding a respectable 86.

"Amazing. I'm very excited to get back to OFSAA," Gillies said. "I played well. My strokes felt good. My tee shots were my strongest suit. Definitely left a few putts out there, but overall happy with how I played."

Lai is the reigning OFSAA champion, winning the high school provincial tournament last year in a playoff as a Grade nine student.

The 15-year old, the only player from WOSSAA heading to OFSAA for the Open division, is even stronger this year and is eying repeating.

Lai will approach OFSAA like all tournaments, going over the course with her dad and coach and talking a game plan.

"I'll play my game, do my best and not over think it," Lai said. "I already know what I have to do, so go out and have fun."

Gillies is aiming to improve on her result from last year.

"I'm hoping to play a little bit better at OFSAA this year. Maybe have better scores to be a little higher on the leaderboard," Gillies said.

Both Lai and Gillies follow in the steps of strong female golfers from St. Joe's, including Jade Tep-Chhun, who made four OFSAA appearances and now is at the University of Waterloo.

Sarah Collier, nee Westaway, currently a teacher and coach at St. Joe's, played golf at Ball State in Indiana, after four OFSAA appearances.

The Rams current golf stars admire traits in each other.

"Her consistency. It's always a good stroke every single time. She's so consistent and that's so amazing," says Gillies about Lai.

Whether on the greens or on the court playing basketball, Gillies is known for her upbeat personality.

"Her mindset. She's alway really positive," Lai says. "I always see her smiling on the course, even after a tough shot. She always brings her self back up. That's a really good mindset to have, especially in golf."

The top five from WOSSAA advanced to OFSAA.

London Central Avalina Flick took gold in the high school division with a 78. Lulu Stuckless from Exeter South Huron was second with a 81.

Avery Kojlak, London Aquinas and Ellia Lobraico, Msgr Bruyere, placed fourth (87) and fifth (90), respectively.

Parkside Stampeders Breah Payne finished tied for seventh, carding a 93, with Norah Dixon and Taylor Shortt. Reese Flanagan rounded out the A flight top 10.

Rams Charlie Giesbrecht was 14th with a 99.

In B flight, playing nine holes, Lauren Lanzi from London Mother Teresa, had the top score of 48.

Lucas Vikings Emma Joudrey placed second with a 50, and Medway High's Sydney Burla, third, with a 53.

OFSAA 2026 is at the Royal Niagara golf course, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, October 14-15.