It was a busy weekend for the Queen’s golf team: they played two tournaments in two days this past Saturday and Sunday. 

Despite the back-to-back contests, they couldn’t have asked for better results.

The first tournament, hosted by Carleton, was played at the Marshes Golf Course. With more water and larger greens than the Queen’s home course, it offered a unique challenge. 

The Gaels adapted to with ease. Both men’s and women’s walked away with gold medals. 

On Sunday, the Gaels were treated to home-course advantage, hosting the Queen’s Invitational at the Cataraqui Golf and Country Club. 

Fourth-year Trevor Corner said the home course was a nice crutch for the team on Sunday.

“You’ve been in unique situations at your home course and been able to learn from them,” Corner said. This, he added, helped lead the men to another successful tournament. They finished the day with a first-place finish, while the women grabbed silver.

“It was nice for us to be able to spend Saturday [night] at home and come into the tournament well rested,” Corner said. 

The tournament proved to be a greater test for the men’s team, sliding past Guelph by one stroke.

With new two new additions to the men’s starting group of five and one new addition to the women’s team, it was reassuring for the Gaels to see they were able to pick up where they left off last year. After both teams won silver at last year’s provincials, the program is hoping to take their shot at this year’s rendition of the tournament.

According to Corner, the courses were in great condition which was helpful as the golfers battled through the extreme heat. “The setup of the courses were very fair for a tournament,” he said. 

First-year golfer Zachary Greifenberger opened up the weekend with a 69 at the Marshes, good for his first number one finish with Queen’s. He followed up that performance with a 68 at Cataraqui, earning him Queen’s Athlete of the Week honours after winning both tournaments.

Meanwhile, Gaels’ Michael Von Schalburg had one of the more impressive shots of the weekend. On the ninth hole in Ottawa—a 545 yard par five—he  was a few feet away from sinking it in two shots, but easily putted in for an eagle. 

Kristen MacLaren, first-year head coach for the program, said she knew they had strong golfers, but didn’t expect both teams to bring home gold. Now, expectations for future competitions are higher.

Notable individual performances on the women’s side included Robyn Campbell, who finished in second at both tournaments, and Jacquie Miller, who got bronze at Cataraqui. 

Third-year Jasmine Mussani said the Gaels are hoping to keep their winning momentum going forward after their successful weekend. 

“We just want to do our best and have fun,” Mussani said.

The Gaels’ next tournament is the McMaster Invitational on Sept. 27, where they hope to follow up their strong showing. The OUA championships will take place from Oct. 14-16.