Last Wednesday, we thought the golf was hot when Becker Gilewich of Windermere had it 8-under for a while in Ponoka.  We thought the weather was hot back in July when temperatures reached 31C at the Alberta Golf U19 Championship at Cougar Creek Golf Course. Today at Desert Blume Golf Resort in Medicine Hat, we had some of both, as the mercury hit 35C in mid-afternoon, while some of the competitors  were making birdies at incredible rates.

Three of the players in the Boys U19 / U17 division had interesting rounds, all members of the host Desert Blume club and all good friends. Wyatt Bishop accomplished the three-peat this afternoon, as he won the Desert Blume stop on the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour for the third year in a row.  Bishop’s fine round of 2-under 70, was fairly boring, as he made only 2 bogeys while sprinkling in 4 birdies.  A very solid round of golf in the blistering heat and congratulations to Wyatt.

Owen Bruins, playing two groups ahead of Bishop, had it 3-under par after 11 holes, but made what he admitted was a ‘bad double’ on the short par-3 12th, and ended up posting an even-par 72, good for a win at many Tour events.  Six birdies were circled on HIS card.  But perhaps the roller-coaster round of the year was turned in by Hayden King, whose 1-over par 73, while good for 3rd place overall, featured a triple, a double, 3 bogeys, 7 pars and six birdies! Ho-hum. King wins the ‘Never Give Up’ award of the week, as he started out 5-over par after 3 holes and played 4-under the rest of the way.

Jackson Wesley of Paradise Canyon Golf Resort made the trip over from Lethbridge well worth his effort, as his 3-over 75 captured the Boys U15 age group, and was good for T4 overall with Daillon Kryzanowski of Picture Butte. The Boys U13 winner today was Trent Wesley (87), also from Paradise Canyon.

We had a tie for first place in the Junior Girls’ division, with Rien Solodan of Canmore Golf and Curling Club matching 84s with Hannah Thomas of The Glencoe.  Both players deserve our congratulations, but Solodan won a comparison of scorecards tie-breaker for the first-place pro shop gift card.

We want to express our thanks and appreciation to the armada of parents who were following the youngsters today on carts in the searing heat.  Many of them helped shuttle the kids up and down some of the steep hills and long walks between holes at Desert Blume, while helping us keep the competitors as hydrated as possible.  Give me a cool, drizzling day anytime over what these young people overcame today. Thanks to all those volunteers.

Next Tour stop is this Thursday in Strathmore, followed up with the Taber Junior Open on Friday.  Looks like Weather Canada has forecast hot temperatures the rest of the week, so players, please take every precaution to ensure you stay safe in this heat.  Light coloured clothing, hats, slather on the sun block and carry LOTS of water!