McLean weathers snowy conditions to take early lead

CAMROSE, ALTA., (Sept. 27, 2019) - SAIT's Carey McLean battled the cold, wind and even some snow, as she got out of the gates quickly on Friday.

Competing at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Golf Championships hosted by the University of Alberta-Augustana Vikings at Coal Creek Golf Resort, McLean (1st year, Deer Valley, Sask., Travel and Tourism) posted an 8-over 80 to sit in first place following the first of three rounds that will be played on the weekend.

"Carey did a really great job of keeping her head on, especially with the snow blowing sideways early on in her round," said Trojans head coach Stephen Yanitski. "She took it one shot at a time, and put herself on the safe side of every hole. She thought her way around the golf course very skillfully today."

Yanitski also mentioned that he wasn't surprised by McLean's round, as the first-year Trojan put together an extensive junior career while growing up in Saskatchewan.

"She not only has tournament experience, but shoulder season tournament experience, so playing in this kind of weather is not new to her," he said.

McLean's teammate Karmen Mooney (5th year, Squamish, BC, Construction Project Management) fired a 20-over 92 to sit in sixth place, and help the Trojans women's team sit in second place in the team standings, just four shots back of first place Concordia University of Edmonton.

Tashel Scantlebury (5th year, Foxwarren, Man., Community Economic Development) was one shot back of Mooney at 93 to hold down seventh spot.

"It was an overall solid team performance today," Yanitski said. "None of women got into too big a trouble today. . . We're in a good spot, yes, but there are still 36 holes of golf to play."

On the men's side, SAIT was the squad to look out for coming into the event after winning the team titles at both the North and South Regionals the previous two weekends. On Friday, however, the conditions got the better of SAIT, as they struggled throughout the day.

Dakota Smith (2nd year, Edmonton, Alta., Bachelor of Business Administration) was the low man on the day for the Trojans, shooting a 77 to sit tied for sixth overall.

Fellow Trojans Matthew Cook (1st year, Airdrie, Alta., Business Administration) carded a 10-over 82 to sit in 15th spot, Curtis Webster (1st year, Calgary, Business Administration) recorded a 12-over 84 to finish Day 1 in a tie for 20th.

Rock Ruschkowski (2nd year, Calgary, Respiratory Therapy) was the fourth and final Trojan to count for the day, and produced a 14-over 86 to sit 25th.

"I think the conditions got the best of us starting out," said Trojans assistant coach, Bryce Halverson, who spent his day watching over the men's side. "Overall, most guys would say they weren't too disappointed in their play, and that it just seemed to be a bad hole here or there that hurt them."

Their combined 41-over par score has them in fourth place.

The good news is that there is still lots of golf left. The bad news is that the Trojans have a lot of work to do in order to make up ground lost Friday.

"We found that despite the high scores, everyone seemed to finish their rounds strong, so we are hoping to capitalize on that going into Saturday," Halverson added. "We know what to expect now with the weather, and we should be better prepared to handle it."