Cougars golf team finishes second season on upswing

In only its second year of existence, the Cougars Golf Team showed impressive gains while turning heads among their Canada West competition over the three varsity tournaments held in September and October. As a relatively new university golf team – and the only one from Saskatchewan - the athletes say they managed some surprising results when they achieved Top 10 standings in two of the tournaments.  

Impressive gains

The U of R’s Carter Bell finished second (men’s division) at the University of Lethbridge Invitational in September, while the Regina team placed third overall. Bell, a Psychology major, took up golf around four years go and said he was close to last place in every tournament in 2022, but focusing on his mental game and making his swing more consistent made all the difference. “To turn heads in the Lethbridge tournament felt amazing. We all really improved and I couldn’t be more proud,” he says.

During the University of Calgary Dinos Invitational, golfers Morgan McKay (women’s division), and Micah Tangjerd (men’s division) each tied for seventh. McKay said her second year on the team was much more successful and she will be sad to leave her teammates when she graduates with a Bachelor of Social Work this December. As the only female on the team, she encourages other young women to try the sport and not be afraid to take on something new. “I used to play hockey and was looking for something to compete in. It’s a very welcoming environment and even if you’re not competitive, you gain a lot from the coaching and have fun.”

In their last tournament of the season, the Canada West Championships held in Abbotsford, B.C. during the first week of October, the team was met with rainy conditions and stiff competition. First-year player and Business Administration student, Jackson Wingert, was the top University of Regina golfer finishing 30^th out of 48 student athletes.

Growing the team

The student athletes credit support from U of R Athletics and a recent partnership with the Wascana Country Club for their improving skills and scores. The partnership gives the golfers access to practice facilities including the driving range, short-game facility, and tee times, not to mention professional coaching. Todd Zado, a member of the PGA Canada with more than 30 years of teaching and coaching experience, is the head professional at the club and volunteers his time to coach the student athletes. He also accompanies them to the out-of-town tournaments.

Competing against athletes from B.C. who golf all year round makes the challenge even greater, but the Cougar athletes say they are looking ahead to 2024 and indoor practice over the winter. “The coaching and access to the country club makes all the difference. “Only onwards and upwards from here,” Bell says. Tryouts for the Cougars Golf Team are in late July with practices starting in August in preparation for tournament season in September and October.

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