OLDS — The Olds Golf Club now has its 2022 champions.
Mark Shultz shot 74-70 to win by two over Tim Hollman and Jenny Lee shot 79-78 to win by 11 shots over Jocelyn McInnis during the Olds Concrete Club Championship, held Aug. 13-14 at the Olds Golf Club.
Reid Williamson was the junior champion, firing a one-day score of 75. No junior girls played this year.
Ninety club members participated in the tournament over the two days, dealing with some very hot temperatures.
The high on the Saturday was 30 C and 28 on the Sunday, dipping down only one degree by 6 p.m. each evening.
“I had a really, really good weekend. I haven’t been playing very well this year, but I managed to play two of my best rounds in the tournament," Schultz said during an interview.
“My second round of 70, which was two under, was my best round of the year, by far. So I was quite surprised at that and obviously very excited to be able to pull that off.”
Schultz said the course was in “fabulous condition.” Like other players, he made sure to cope with the heat by staying hydrated.
“The one issue I did have was the grips were getting a little slippery and wet with how sweaty your hands were and things like that,” he said.
“(That) probably cost me once on Saturday, but other than that, was able to manage through all those weather things.”
Schultz said normally his tee shots are his strength but during the tournament his iron play was also “solid.”
"What really, really won me my tournament I think was my putting,” he said. “My putting really rose to the occasion this weekend and I made lots and lots of putts from good distances.
“I made a number of really long birdie putts both days. And certainly my par putts, I only missed, I think, one par putt from under six feet for kind of the whole weekend, so it was pretty good putting for me.”
Although she won her side of the tournament by 11 strokes, Lee downplayed her performance.
“It was OK,” she said. “I had three birdies the first day, so I guess the putting was OK.”
However, Lee wasn’t happy with the way the ball rolled for her on the greens during the second day.
“My putting wasn’t good; so no good at all. But, but, 78, not bad. I’m happy,” she said with a short laugh.
This marks the second straight year Lee has emerged as the Olds Golf Club’s ladies champion.
She indicated she’ll likely be back to defend her crown again next year.
“I’ve got to go a few more years,” she said with a laugh.
