The McLennan Ross Sun Junior Tour

Pinebrook GCC

For a quarter century, the Kevin Hipple Memorial Junior Open has been a mainstay and a highlight of the Calgary and area junior golf scene.  Established by the Board of the private Pinebrook GCC on Calgary's western outskirts to commemorate one of their junior members whose life was cut short far too early, the "Hipple" always attracts a sold-out field of players who are treated to first class treatment from the tournament organizers.  We are proud to have had this outstanding event on the McLennan Ross Sun Junior Tour for the past several years.

Today was just a perfect day for golf.  Not a cloud in the sky, with light breezes, a warm sun, and a golf course in pristine condition.  A sold-out field of 102 players from across Alberta was on  hand to enjoy Pinebrook's hospitality, led by Mrs. Martha Hipple, Kevin's mom, who is always on hand to cheer on the kids and help present the trophies at the end of play.

We had an exciting 3-way sudden victory playoff today, after Liam Wolfe of the Calgary GCC, Tanner Hicks of Pinebrook, and Jaegon Patron of The Links of GlenEagles in Cochrane had tied with 3-over par 75s. The player retreated to the uphill par-4 18th hole and Wolfe made a solid par 4 after splitting the fairway with his tee shot and leaving himself a slick 20-foot downhiller for par.  When Hicks and Patron each were able to make no better than bogey, Wolfe rolled in a tricky 3-foot'er for his par and his first Tour win.

Becky Martin of Medicine Hat GCC made the trip to Calgary well worthwhile, as her 83 was 3 strokes clear of junior girls' runner-up Candace Dechant of Glendale. Casara Hong of Coutnry Hills was solo third with a 90.  We had a 2008 season-high 14 girls on hand today, which was outstanding.

The 2008 Tour Championship is coming up on August 25th and competition for spots in the field is as intense as ever.  Earning spots in the field for Wolf Creek today included the three playoff participants, as well as Wild Card qualifiers Travis Miller of Willow Park (77), Derek Field of Calgary Elks (77), and Jack Woof of Banff Springs, whose 77 was best in the flight for boys born in 1994 and later. With the large field of junior girls on hand today, we awarded bonus spots for Wolf Creek which went to Hong, Megan Paul of Canyon Meadows  and Marisa Sambo of Willow Park, both at 91.

Q = Qualified for Tour Championship

WC = Wild Card qualifier for Tour Championship.

PQ = Player had previously qualified for Tour Championship.

* Won tournament on first hole of sudden-victory playoff.

OVERALL TOP TEN:

1. Liam WOLFE                                         Calgary GCC                  75 *

P2. Jaegon PATRON                                  Links of GlenEagles         75

P2. Tanner HICKS                                     Pinebrook                       75

T4. Lane KINAS                                        Priddis Greens                 76

T4. Brad BICKLEY                                   Bearspaw                        76

T4. Mac KEATS                                       Bearspaw                         76

T7. Kevin WONG                                      Bearspaw                        77

T7. Travis MILLER                                  Willow Park                     77

T7. Derek FIELD                                      Calgary Elks                     77

T7. Jack WOOD                                       Banff Springs                   77

JUNIOR BOYS BORN IN 1989/90/91

1. Jaegon PATRON                               Links of GlenEagles            75 Q

T2. Lane KINAS                                   Priddis Greens                    76 PQ

T2. Brad BICKLEY                              Bearspaw                           76 PQ

4. Kevin WONG                                   Bearspaw                           77 PQ

T5. Patrick RAINA                                                                         81

T5. Kaiden BRYANT                                                                     81

T5. Wallace O'NEIL                            Cochrane                             81 

JUNIOR BOYS BORN IN 1992/93

1. Liam WOLFE                                   Calgary GCC                     75 * Q

2. Tanner HICKS                                  Pinebrook                          75 Q

3. Mac KEATS                                     Bearspaw                           76 PQ

T4. Travis MILLER                              Willow Park                        77 WC

T4. Derek FIELD                                  Calgary Elks                        77 WC

JUNIOR BOYS BORN IN 1994 AND LATER

1. Jack WOOD                                    Banff Springs                       77 Q

T2. Liam FITZGERALD                                                                 80

T2. Matt WILLIAMS                                                                      80

T2. Troy STEWART                                                                       80

T5. Brett HOGAN                               Willow Park                          81

T5. Ryan GOSLIN                                                                          81

JUNIOR GIRLS

1. Becky MARTIN                           Medicine Hat GCC                   83 Q

2. Candace DECHANT                     Glendale                                  86 PQ

3. Casara HONG                              Country Hills                            90 WC

T4. Megan PAUL                            Canyon Meadows                      91 WC

T4 Marisa SAMBO                          Willow Park                              91 WC

T4. Allison SETO                            Country Hills                             91 PQ

T4. Sabrine GARRISON                   Country Hills                            91 PQ