Osoyoos golfers compete in national championship hosted at OGC

The Osoyoos Golf Club hosted the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur and Senior Championship from Aug. 17 to 20. (Vanessa Broadbent / Osoyoos Times)

By Vanessa Broadbent

Osoyoos Times

Osoyoos resident Christine Jurgenson is on the course at the Osoyoos Golf Club more days than not, but her rounds this weekend had by far the highest stakes yet.

From Aug. 17 to 20 the Osoyoos Golf Club hosted the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur and Senior Championship, and with it 142 golfers.

Jurgenson was one of three Osoyoos women to compete in the Golf Canada championship, and the only local to place in the low 70 players and compete in the third and final round on Tuesday morning. She qualified for the tournament after winning the Osoyoos Golf Club’s championship last year.

“It was such a great experience,” Jurgenson said. “I never would have gone into anything like this unless it was here and got the chance and I’m really glad and really proud.”

She finished the tournament with 38-over and tied for 64th place.

Along with adjusting to teeing off from a different spot than she normally does, Jurgenson noted that playing under Golf Canada came with added rules and regulations.

Osoyoos golfer Christine Jurgenson hits her final putt on Tuesday afternoon. (Vanessa Broadbent / Osoyoos Times)

“I realize what these professionals go through because we had to make sure we were in certain positions; we had to wait our turn,” she said.

“Sometimes we play hurry up golf and go way ahead but you can’t do that here. You can’t be in anybody’s view. You have to be quiet.”

The experience left Jurgenson with plenty of new skills she’ll bring with her when she hits the course again.

“I learned how to chip better, putt better, hit my driver better – everything. I learned a lot.”

Kelowna resident and Osoyoos native Marli Mikulecky grew up participating in the Osoyoos Golf Club’s junior program and was no stranger to the course returning for the championship.

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“It’s something I never imagined growing up, being able to come back here and there’s all these amazing golfers here playing at my old course,” she said.

The championship was Mikulecky’s first national competition in 10 years.

“It’s good to be back at it, especially here.”

Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. won the tournament on Tuesday afternoon, finishing at two-under par. Kyrinis won three titles: mid-amateur (ages 25 and older), mid-master (40 and older) and senior (50 and older). Following her at one-under, Amy Ellertson from Free Union, VA. finished second while Christina Proteau (Port Alberni, B.C.) and Nonie Marler (Vancouver) tied for third at one-over. Defending champion Sue Wooster from Australia finished with two-over, tying for fifth with Sarah Dunning of Waterloo, Ont.

Jackie Little from Proctor, B.C. won the super senior championship, open to ages 60 and over.