Twenty-two of St. Paul’s youngest golfers hit the links on Saturday afternoon for the annual Junior Open, and tournament organizer Monique Pasitney said she was impressed by what she saw from the town’s up and coming talent.
“A lot of them don’t play 18 holes let alone nine. Sometimes six holes is a lot in junior league, so the fact that the whole field stuck with it for the 18 holes through all kinds of weather here - especially at the end, we got pelted with hail on the 18th green - I’m impressed,” she said. “They all played the 18 holes and were excited about trying to keep track of their score, and they were happy to learn about the rules.”
Jeremie Pastiney picked up the overall low gross on the day, shooting an 82 to earn his name on the trophy, while his younger brother Colin Pasitney took the overall low net. Colin also had the closest shot to the pin on Hole 18, and the nine-year-old golfer said he had fun on the course, and even had a few nice approach shots.
“Mostly with my hybrid,” he said. “I had a good shot on Hole 3.”
Nevin Jarvis took home the title of girls champion at the Open, shooting a 111 for the first low gross, while Nolia Jarvis earned the first low net in the girls division.
The 13-17 division saw Spencer Robertson pick up the first low gross, followed up by Brandon Arnett in second. Aaron Gagne picked up first low net in the division, while Madison Brousseau claimed second low net.
Matthew Hurtubise picked up the first low gross in the 9-12 division, while Jacob Guitard followed up with the second low gross. Eric Hurtubise took home the first low net in the younger division, followed by Reid Fedoruk with the second low net.
Matthew said he is an avid young golfer, who has hit the links roughly 10 times already this season, but Saturday’s Junior Open was only the third time he’s ever played a full 18 holes.
“It was a little tiring but it wasn’t all that difficult,” he said. “I was golfing with Justin St. Arnault and Tyler Lang. They were pretty good.”
Hurtubise added he was lucky to have finished off the day without catching any of the hail that pelted some golfers on the 18th green.
“There was a little bit of rain on Hole 12, but other than that it was all good,” he said.
