Bantam Girls’ and Boys’ Championship

Asked following his round if he was nervous coming on his final nine holes, Callum was very forthcoming.

“Yes, I was nervous.”

The nerves did not show as he hit his final six greens-in-regulation (14/18 for the day) and did not three-putt the entire day.

“I wanted to just play safe today.”

Davison now joins the likes of Eugene Wong (2002, 2003 & 2004) and Adam Svensson (2006 & 2007) as champions of the Bantam Boys’ Championship, a fact that when communicated to him brought a smile to his face.

“It feels good to be the Bantam champion,” he said.

Finishing in a three-way tie for second place at -3, 141 total were Fort St John’s Jake Lane, Mill Bay’s Tristan Mandur and Vancouver’s Raymond Li.

Lane and Mandur, both 13, posted four-under-par rounds of 68 during the final round, propelling them into the second place tie. Both of their rounds featured five birdies and only one bogey.

Li, 11, struggled to drop putts on the day, narrowly burning edges on a number of close birdie putts. His final round even par kept him in a strong position to close the Championship and leaves him with two years left of eligibility to capture a Bantam title.

Others under par for the day and the Championship were Surrey’s Khan Lee, 12, at -2 (74-68-142) and BC Amateur standout Roy Kang, 13 of North Vancouver at -1 (73-70-143).

In the Girls’ division, twelve-year-old Katherine Chan of Richmond scorched the Merritt Golf and Country Club in her final round carding a five-under-par 67, -4 total (73-67-140).

The Quilchena Golf and Country Club member posted seven birdies on the day, besting her career-low score by six strokes.

“I was pretty lucky today. I had many putts that went in so I was happy about that,” stated Chan.

Chan scored back-to-back birdies on three occasions during her final round and another on the par-4 12th. She offset these with two bogeys coming on the 3rd and 12th hole.

After such an impressive round, there was nothing but kind words from Chan about the Championship and Merritt G&CC.

“I enjoyed the golf course. There were a lot of great players out there who could have played better than me. I went out there today and just wanted to play my best so it feels great to be the Bantam champion,” she said.

Finishing in solo second was recent B.C. Summer Games participant Sumie Francois of Burnaby. The twelve-year-old member of Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club posted a one-under-par final round 71, good enough for a two round +2 finish (75-71-146).

Thirteen-year-old Ashley Cai of Vancouver and twelve-year-old Alisha Lau of Richmond posted identical two-round totals of 148 (76-74) to sit in a tie for third place to close the Championship. The only other person on the day to shoot even-par or better was Shania Remandaban, 13 of Coquitlam who posted a 72, 150 +6 total (78-72).

The Bantam Boys’ and Girls’ Championship is contested annually for players aged 13 and younger as of the last day of the competition. Past winners include Adam Svensson, Eugene Wong, Sue Kim and Anica Yoo.

Round One Recap

Merritt, British Columbia (BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF)- The 2012 British Columbia Bantam Boys’ and Girls’ Championship got off to a hot start today with an onslaught of career records with Katherine Chan of Richmond grabbing the lead in the Girls’ division and Callum Davison of Duncan stealing the Boys’ lead heading into the final round at Merritt Golf and Country Club.

On a perfect day for golf, Chan, a twelve year-old member of Quilchena Golf and Country Club, fired a career-low one-over-par 73, good enough for a two-stroke advantage over her competitors in the Girls’ division.

Sitting in solo second is former Callaway Junior World Champion Sumie Francois of Burnaby. Francois, a twelve year-old playing out of Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club, carded a three-over-par 75, giving herself a two-shot margin to recoup in tomorrow’s final round.

Four players sit in a tie for third, only three back of the leader Chan after shooting four-over-par 76′s. Courtenay’s Abigail Rigsby (13), Vancouver’s Ashley Cai (13), Surrey’s Hannah Lee (12) and Aisha Lau (12) of Richmond are all within grasp of coming from behind to capture the title.

In the Boys’ division, Callum Davison, a twelve year-old player from Duncan Meadows Golf Club, closed out his inward half with a four-under-par 32, en route to a career best -4, 68. His previous best round was even par, easily surpassing that today by four-strokes.

Sitting in second all by himself is Vancouver’s Raymond Li. Li, an eleven year old Zone 4 Public Player, also carded a career best, breaking 60 for the first time with a three-under-par 69, one-stroke behind Davison’s blazing pace.

Thirteen year-old Keaton Gudz of Vancouver is alone in third place, within reach of the lead after posting an 18-hole opening round 72, even par. Three players sit at one-over-par in a tie for 4th for the Championship, five back of the lead, including defending champion A.J. Ewart of Coquitlam.

Final round play in the 36-hole Bantam Boys’ and Girls’ Championship will commence tomorrow at 8:00am. Spectators are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Entrance is free of charge.

For Boys’ final round tee times and round one results, please click here

For Girls’ final round tee times and round one results, please click here