The Ermineskin Junior/Senior High School golf team made their name known in the ASAA Zone Championships held at the Silver Creek Golf Course in New Norway.
The team, Chance Buffalo, Jamison Larocque, Darian Ward and Joel Johnson, took home the bronze medal after competing against 20 other teams.
Johnson shot a final score of 82 at the zone championships which qualified him for the provincial championships.
The 2008 ASAA Provincial Championship was held in Calgary on Sept. 29 and 30 and Johnson and placed in the top half out of 130 competitors.
Michael Sonnenberg, athletics director, was impressed with how Johnson and the team played and believes it is a reflection on how hard they practiced and the athletes themselves.
I think it’s fantastic. It’s a great accomplishment for the team, the school, and the community,” said Sonnenberg. “Our athletes worked hard, had terrific attitudes, and showed that they deserved the bronze medal and a provincial qualification. We are very proud of all of our athletes at Ermineskin Jr/Sr. Highschool. They continue to make our school proud with their classy attitudes and fair play.”
The team worked hard to get as far as they did and prepared by playing nine and 18 hole rounds at the Ponoka Community Golf Course, Montgomery Glen Golf Course and Silver Creek Golf Course as well as practicing on the driving range.
This is the second consecutive year that the high school has competed at the provincial level. Sonnenberg likes coaching and says he was happy to see the members of the team awarded at the championships. He believes it shows a bright future for the school’s athletics program.
“I enjoyed coaching the team because I can get out with a group of students and walk for two and a half hours, helping me to get to know them outside of school. It’s a great thing to get to know your students,” he said. “I also enjoy watching them progress and succeed. It was a proud feeling watching them receive their medals and hearing the applause from the school when the teams’ accomplishments were announced at our monthly assembly.”