TRU WOLFPACK WIN CCAA NATIONAL GOLF TITLE (TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL)

For immediate release-October 17,2008

Stratford, PEI—It has been a story book return to College Golf for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack. So, its only fitting that as the 2008 Canadian College Golf Championship season came to a close, this team would sit atop of the country.

Returning to CCAA Golf after nearly a decade, The WolfPack won the National title.  They had a three round, four man combined total of 880 strokes. That was six better than defending champion Humber College of Ontario.  University of the Fraser Valley and Mount Royal of Calgary were third at 890.

Individually, Shawn Vanderwal  of TRU (first year, Kamloops, BC)  won the title in a playoff. He and second round leader Mitch Lock of University of the Fraser Valley finished deadlock with a 54 hole total of 217.   Vanderwal shot a par 72 on the final day of the tourney at the Fox Meadow Golf and Country Club.  Lock was at three over 75.  The TRU Golfer shot 74 in the first round and 71 in the second.

Adam Gruber and Riley Balson of the WolfPack (both 1st year, Kamloops, BC)  wound up tied for sixth at 220.  Both shot five over 77’s today.  Brett Martin (1st year, Okanagan Falls, BC) was 10 th. He carded a final round 79 to go along with a 72 and 73.
The other TRU Golfer competing at the Nationals was Kevin Ricalton (1st year,Kamloops, BC). He finished at 245.

SANDTRAPS: For Ricailton, Balson and Wanderwal: this is their second big golf title in the last year. They were members of the South Kamloops Titans who won the BC “AAA” High School title this past spring. 

The WolfPack golf program was ressurrected after nearly a decade of being dormant by Bilton Jr, and his father.  They granted access to their course: The Dunes.  Bilton Jr, who is a professional, set aside some of his season to coach the squad.