Photo courtesy: RD News Now

By Mitch Bach

In Contention

Martin cards opening round 74, eight shots back

Jul 23, 2019 | 4:14 PM

RED DEER, AB — Becky Martin believes her best is yet to come at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship after carding an opening round 74 (+2) at the Red Deer Golf & Country Club.

“There are good scores out there for sure,” said the Hatter, who sat eight strokes back of Californians Zoe Campos and Andrea Lee, who led at the time of publication. “I think I just need to wait for my moment where I’m hitting the ball good enough that I feel confident that I can go for things.”

After putting together an opening-nine 34, sitting one shot off the pace and tied for third at the time, Martin struggled on the back-nine. The former MHC Rattler came in with a birdie-less 40, finishing with a bogey on the par-4 18th.

Despite a less-than-ideal back-nine, Martin says she’s proud of how she’s positioned herself among some of the best amateur golfers in the world.

“I’ve been putting extremely well (lately) and I did today, which saved me a bunch of strokes,” she continued. “I was not very confident iron-wise, but it’s the first day. You kind of get some of the jitters out and see how it goes.”

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Martin is also wearing the provincial colours after claiming the Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship two weeks ago at The Ranch Golf Club in Acheson. On top of the individual competition, she’s in charge of Alberta’s Inter-Provincial team alongside Calgarians MacKenzie Baustad and Stephanie Chelack.

Those three ladies sit third following the first round, four shots back of Quebec in the lead at +4. The second round will serve as the final round for inter-provincial team play, with the third and fourth round reserved for individuals who survive the cut.

Martin says there’s a little more pressure as Alberta’s top player at the event, considering the team format involves taking the best two-out-of-three scores on each hole.

“The first player should count the majority of the time just like in college golf,” she added. “I think it starts with me. If I can pull down the number, someone else can pull down as well, and you’ll never know where you’ll end up.”

While there is obvious pressure in competing in such a prestigious event, Martin says she’s doing her best to soak up the experience and enjoy herself on one of Alberta’s nicest courses.

“It’s not just a game, but it’s a game,” she said. “I don’t need to create this super crazy idea where I have to become someone I’m not and I’ve never been, and try to play the same as I have.

“It’s challenging not to get caught up in all of it, but you also have to recognize that it’s a big deal.”