Posted: Sep 29, 2018

Leidenius and Broderson lead the way on day one at golf championships

Queens claim gold at national championships, Kings 9th. Photo - Tony Hansen

Brent Forster - RDC

Red Deer, AB - Despite a delayed start to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Golf Championships due to frost, the RDC Queens & Kings had some good results on a cool opening day at Alberta Springs Golf Resort, 6 km west of Red Deer.

After Saturday's round, Michael Harrison, from the University of Alberta Augustana Vikings, and Chase Broderson, of the RDC Kings, share top spot on the men's side after firing one over par (73). Harrison ended the day with a total of four birdies and nine pars. Broderson, a first-year Business Administration student at RDC, recorded three birdies and 11 pars. Nicolas Pittman, of the Concordia University Thunder, rounded out the top three male golfers with a 75.

Chase Broderson

Medicine Hat College's Becky Martin finished two over par (74) to sit on top of the women's leaderboard. Martin accumulated 4 birdies and ten pars to kick off the championship weekend. Concordia University's Kennedy Turcotte scored an 82 for second place. Turcotte had one birdie and nine pars on day one. RDC's Shaye Leidenius was close behind with 83 and will look to make ground on Sunday.

Shaye Leindenius

Leading the men's teams after the first day are the MacEwan University Griffins (307), followed by the Red Deer College Kings (313) and then the Concordia University Thunder (323).

Not much separated the top women's golf teams. The Medicine Hat College Rattlers women sit in top spot as a group (169). Next, are the RDC Queens (170) and then the Concordia University Thunder (171).

In the new ACAC Mixed Golf Division, RDC (403) leads the way followed by Concordia University (409) and then Medicine Hat College and MacEwan University are tied (421) for third. After another round, medals will be also awarded in this category on Sunday.

Considering the cool weather, Red Deer College Golf Head Coach Scott Bergdahl was thankful that the championships could still go ahead. "We had a two hour frost delay in the morning but with snow falling in different areas of region, I am happy that we were able to play," he says.

Bergdahl recognized some strong efforts but feels the RDC golfers can still develop consistency on Sunday. "Today, the Queens & Kings had mixed results. There were some great scores and some average ones. Kudos to Chase Broderson for leading the Kings. He's becoming the number one male golfer," says Bergdahl. "Shaye Leidenius was the best member of the Queens today, but didn't have a particularly strong front nine. Bradie Ouellette-Pillman was outstanding today with an 87 and fourth spot."

The RDC Golf team is looking forward to bringing its best on day two. "While several RDC golfers didn't think they had a good round, our student-athletes are competitors and will leave it all on the course," says Bergdahl. "They are all proven athletes and will give it 110%. We have a strong group."

With the standings extremely close and the thought of medals on the horizon, the golfers will look to climb the leaderboard with their best performances on Sunday, the final day of the championships. The original Sunday start will be delayed 90 minutes until around 11:30 a.m. with the anticipation of frost, once again.