In the college’s professional golf management program, students are getting into the swing of things.
On Sept. 22 and 23, Paradise Canyon Golf Resort hosted the Lethbridge College Scholarship tournament for all students in their first, second and third year of the program.
More than 70 students took part in the two-day tournament, a couple of whom were participants from the surrounding college community.
The tournament was an opportunity for students to win scholarship funds based on their standings.More than $9,000 in scholarships was handed out.
PGM program instructor Dave English says scholarships are mostly from endowment funds and various donations. For students in their second and third year, rankings were determined by a combination of their score and GPA.
The event also gave students a chance to qualify for the college golf teams.
However, students who have received Canadian Professional Golf Association accreditation and are now carded professionals are considered ineligible to compete. English says approximately 10 students in the program are carded professionals.
Based on their score from the two-day tournament, the top eight male players have been named to the 2011-2012 Lethbridge College golf team. Derrik Goodwin, Tanner Laidlaw, Mitch Taylor, Taylor Irvin, Jordie Weich, Mitch Matichuk, Brady Karlson and Dylan Thornbourough will represent the college this season.
After finishing third in the nation last year, the women’s team faces a lack of players this season. With just two females trying out, Tannis Tailfeathers and Anna Danychukare have been named to the team’s roster.
Since the PGM program was established in 1993, the scholarship tournament has taken place every year. For the last decade the tournament has taken place at Paradise Canyon where several Lethbridge College graduates from the program work.
“It’s the amazing support from Paradise Canyon that allows this to take place. They make it all possible,” says English.
As for the upcoming season, English and team coach Trent Matson have high hopes for the team.
“In past years we’ve had early tryouts but some of our better players can’t come. Our students really come from long distances, all the way from Manitoba to the interior of B.C. to the Northwest Territories. We have all our best players trying out this year so we’re really optimistic we’ll have one of our best teams,” says English.
Students in the PGM program started regular classes on Monday.
Photo: Third year professional golf management student Derrik Goodwin hits off the first tee on day one of the Lethbridge College scholarship tournament at Paradise Canyon Golf Resort.