The JAWS golf team proved that they can swing with the best in the province, sweeping zones and then finishing seventh in the provincial tournament in Sherwood Park Sept .26-27.
In the September 12 zones qualifying tourney in St. Paul, Brendan Boucher, Brett Skakun, Micheal Bouchard, and Corey Leach finished first through fourth, earning them a team spot in the Alberta Athletic High School Golf Provincials in Sherwood Park – the first time JAWS has represented the northeast Alberta zone since 2001.
In Sherwood Park, at the Broadmoor and Belvedere golf clubs, the boys teed off against schools that had a thousand or more students. The JAWS team finished in seventh place, which coach Wade Coutney said was a strong showing considering they were playing against much larger centres. Hunting Hill High School from Red Deer (student population 1,400) won the tourney, with Strathmore and St. Albert teams rounding out the podium.
“They did exceptionally well, considering the Calgary and Edmonton schools have 40 kids or more trying out for their teams,” Coutney said.
He added that the four boys, along with alternate Trevor Frohler, were perfect ambassadors for their school and their town.
“It’s nerve-wracking playing against the best in Alberta, but they represented JAWS and Lac La Biche very well,” Coutney said.
He said that practice and an early start to their season were the main reasons the boys did as well as they did, thanking Lance Palamaruk, resident pro at Lac La Biche Golf and Country Club, for helping the boys with their skills.
“They worked hard and they were dedicated when it came to practice,” Coutney said.
Coutney said he was proud to see JAWS represent the northeast zone in provincials, something they haven’t done in a decade, noting the bigger schools from Fort McMurray or Lloydminster typically win at zones.
“Although we’re losing our seniors Corey (Leach) and Micheal (Bouchard), we’ve got a good group coming up,” Coutney said. “And hopefully we can do at least as well next year.”
