The Mark Isfeld Ice golf team is rounding into form at just the right time as they prepare to host the AAA Provincial Championships at Crown Isle May 26-28.
The team was all set to host last year, but the season was cancelled before it began. This year is another story.
The Ice won the 2011 AAA North Island championships on their home course. This year, they brought the trophy over the Myrtle Point in Powell River only to bring it home again as the champions. The Ice have been in the top three of every high school tournament they've played in this year, including winning the Glacier Greens Invitational hosted by Highland.
This first round of the playoffs marks the first time all year where all five players broke 80. Isfeld shot a team best 298, six strokes better than second place Dover Bay from Nanaimo. In all high school playoffs, five players compete and the top four scores count. Isfeld was led by Grade 10 Matt Irvine who shot a scorching 4-under par 68. Grade 11s Logan Yanick (team captain) and Nick Crookall each shot 76. The team's only Grade 12 on the playoff roster, Ryan Snook, shot 78 and Grade 10 Tyson Slater shot 79.
"Isfeld keeps all players involved in the golf program with lessons and a variety of tournament opportunities," noted athletic director Colin Cunningham.
"This time of year, unfortunately, we need to narrow the roster to the top five players and compete for top spots against the biggest schools in the province."
The Ice were at the AAA Vancouver Island championships at Nanaimo Golf Club on May 13. "We had a rough tournament," Cunningham said. "Four of our players played all week at the CN Future Links national event at Crown Isle, so Monday was the seventh day in a row of tournament golf for Logan Yanick (who finished sixth in a field of more than 100 of the top golfers in Canada), Matt Irvine, Nick Crookall and Tyson Slater.
"Luckily we finished fifth and grabbed the final qualifying spot for provincials," said Cunningham, noting the top four North Island teams advance.
"Dover Bay won the Islands at their home course. We are hoping that home course advantage helps us at provincials!" said Cunningham.
"Our goal now is to win an Island championship, something the golf team has never done for the school," Cunningham added.
– Isfeld Ice Golf