Victoria Judo Club continues to establish itself as a powerhouse on the national scene thanks to another impressive showing at the recent national championships in Edmonton.
Led by national champion Jackson Minnick, the Victoria club won the most medals of any club at the national finals.
Minnick won gold in the U-21 90-kilogram division, as well as bronze in the seniors event.
Tristan Alexander brought home a silver medal from the senior 100-kilogram division, winning three matches before losing the gold-medal match.
Other medal winners from Victoria were: Tiffany Coolican (bronze, senior 52-kilogram, silver U-21 52-kilogram), Finn Schroeder (bronze, senior 66-kilogram, silver, U-18 66-kilogram), Nyoto Morisho (bronze, U-16 57-kilogram) and Brennan Jolley (silver, 81-kilogram Newaza).
Claremont golfers claim Island title
The Claremont Spartans golf team achieved the rare three-peat of Island golf titles and they were led by a freshman and a senior.
The Spartans cruised to their third straight Island Triple-A golf championship, beating runner-up Dover Bay by four strokes at the Alberni Golf Course in Port Alberni. Willie Bishop, a Grade 9, won top individual honours, posting a 71, while Claremont teammate Michael Wu, a senior, was one shot back with a 72. Chase Basanta shot a 73 and Richard Zhang a 77 to round out Claremont’s top four.
Esquimalt Secondary earned the bronze medal, while Balenas of Parksville was fourth and Belmont fifth.
The top golfers now turn their attention to the B.C. high school championships June 3-5 at Squamish Valley Golf and Country Club.
Women golfers get in a zone
More than 50 women golfers will tee it up at Arbutus Ridge and Victoria Golf Club on Sunday and Monday in search of spots on the Zone 5 team for this summer’s B.C. Women’s Amateur Championship.
And the lucky few won’t have far to travel for the provincial championship as the tournament will be hosted by the Nanaimo Golf Club beginning July 9.
On Sunday, the Zone 5 Championship begins at Arbutus Ridge with players coming from Greater Victoria, Duncan and the Gulf Islands. Former champions Alison Murdoch and Penny Baziuk are among the favourites to win the tournament, which wraps up Monday at Victoria Golf Club. Alongside the amateur tournament will be the senior event with the winners advancing to the B.C. Senior Women’s Championship, starting June 11 in Cranbrook.
Victoria Golf Club pair runner-up
Victoria Golf Club pro Lindsay Barnakevitch and club champion Craig Doell did all they could to slow up Matthew Palsenbarg and Jackson Jacob at last weekend’s PGA of B.C. Tournament of Champions but the pair from Northview Golf Club were successful in defending their title.
Jacob rolled in a 12-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to edge the Victoria duo. Third place went to Capilano head pro Mark Thirtle and amateur Greg Trammel.
