A Grade 10 student from Innisfail Jr./Sr. High School managed to swing her way into the top five at the golf provincials held in Fort McMurray Sept. 24-25.
Courtney Dickson headed to the provincial competition after taking the zone title Sept. 18. She placed fifth in Fort McMurray.
“The first day was pretty good,” she said. She was able to make the top four on day one, but said the second day didn't go as well.
“The first course was in better shape,” she said. The players also didn't get a chance to do a practice round on the second day's course, either.
She said while the first course was actually harder, the second course wasn't in as good shape, hosting rough fairways and slow greens.
The first round she shot nine over par, while she wasn't sure of her score the next day.
Still, her most memorable shot came on that rougher course.
“The second day on (hole) 17 I sunk a 20-foot putt for birdie,” she said.
Despite the memorable putt, she said her short game isn't always her strongest. The golfer, who has been hitting the links since she was three and her parents didn't want to hire a babysitter, said the longer game is normally her strength.
“Probably my driver and fairway shots are my best,” she said.
This was Dickson's first time playing for the high school team, even though she's been playing in other tournaments since she was 11.
“It was a lot of fun,” she said of her provincial experience. She said the first day she was paired with much slower golfers, while the second day was better-paced as she golfed with the other top players.
The young golfer is dedicated to her sport, trying to make it to the range three times and play two rounds a week.
Coach Jeff Anderson said he was “very impressed” with Dickson's performance, especially since it's her first season with the team.
“It's exciting to have young lady golfers,” he said.
While he couldn't follow her on the zone championship course, he said he got feedback from officials that Dickson shows “great sportsmanship and great potential.”
