Batsel crowned ‘King of Connaught’, Martin wraps up season with another title

“Given the nature of the tournament it was always going to be a slow round today,” said Batsel. “It’s kind of anxious knowing as long as nothing crazy happens, that you’re probably going to come out on top. So, it was just a long day because every tee shot we were waiting like 10 minutes.”

Even though he put together one of his most complete performances of the summer, Batsel was quick to look back on his lone miss on Monday on hole number six.

“I kind of hit a shot just a little bit left of where I was aiming,” he said. “It caught a tree and it kicked it straight [out of bounds], nine-point-nine times out of 10 that doesn’t go [out of bounds]. But, other than that I’m happy with how I played.”

Batsel recorded a 70 on Saturday to take a stranglehold on the tournament before carding back-to-back 71s to capture the third Southeastern Open title of his career.

Previously winning in both 2016 and 2017, Batsel’s streak was halted last year when his best friend Ryan Werre stole the Southeastern Open crown.

Werre came into Monday’s final round sitting eight shots behind Batsel and settled for a third place tie with Jamie Scott after shooting a six-over, 78.

Batsel said it felt good reclaiming the title on his home course, but wanted to see his friend and competitor playing at the top of his game as well.

“Ryan didn’t play his best this weekend,” he said. “It would have been nice to kind of go at it with him again. I didn’t play my best last year, so it’s just one of those things where [it’s] who’s playing the best at the time.”

As for playing beside Scott in the championship flight threesome, Batsel said it was a bit of a surreal experience.

“Jamie is actually a guy that I looked up to when I was younger when I was a junior golfer,” he said. “So, it was pretty cool to play with him today. I know he moved out to Calgary I think for the last several years, so it was nice to play the last two rounds with him.”

Victoria Day Classic champion Mitch Kurtz shot the second-best round of the day on the men’s side with a four-over, 76 to end his tournament in second place.

Carving out his game on the Connaught course as a junior before taking his talents to the NCAA level, Batsel added the Southeastern Open holds a special place in his heart.

“When I was younger this was the tournament,” said Batsel. “Growing up and seeing Dale Vallely, Ryan Vallely, and all of those guys play in this tournament. Just looking up to those guys and being, ‘Oh wow, like that’s what I want to be doing.’ Following them on the last day and then now to where that’s me.”

While he usually competes in a few more competitive tournaments, Batsel’s season came to an end on Monday at Connaught.

That’s because he’s set to take the reigns of the Medicine Hat College Rattlers golf program as head coach, looking to follow up a national silver medal won by the women’s program in 2018.

“It’s just the start of another one just from a different lens right?” said Batsel. “So, pretty excited for what’s going to happen in September and October for the Rattlers, but also kind of bittersweet for this being the last competitive golf that I’ll play for the year.”

The Rattlers golf season will begin on September 14 with the North Regional tournament at RedTail Landing Golf Club in Edmonton.

Championship Finale

Photo courtesy of Connaught Golf Club

Becky Martin’s 2019 golf season has seen plenty of special moments and she added to her growing resume with her third straight Southeastern Open title on the women’s side Monday.

Martin capped off her season with an even par, 72 to run away with the Southeastern Open championship by 20 shots.

“It’s just nice to finish the year with the same people,” said Martin. “It’s sort of the same crew as the Victoria Day [Classic], so you get to catch up. It’s just a great tournament every year.”

Martin’s list of accolades over the course of the summer is one of the best ever for a Medicine Hat golfer capturing local titles at the Victoria Day Classic, Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club Championship, and now the Southeastern Open.

Those titles didn’t touch her biggest accomplishment however, as Martin brought home the Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship in Acheson back in July.

“It was a big year for me for sure,” said Martin. “I didn’t expect to go as far as I did, obviously winning the Alberta Amateur Championship was probably the biggest thing I’ve ever done. It kicked me off well for the rest of the summer and just finished it out pretty good with the [Canadian] Mid-Am.”

The former Medicine Hat College Rattler finished tied for eighth at the Canadian Mid-Amateur last month, posting the lowest score of any Albertan.

However, Martin said it was nice getting to finish off the season at home after a hectic few months of stressful competition.

“Travelling is hard, playing competitively gets a little hard especially because I haven’t been in the mix,” she said. “For over three years I just have not been playing in the same type of tournaments. So, obviously it’s a little more comfortable.”

Along with the friendly competition over the long weekend, Martin was approached by many in the golfing community congratulating her on her success in 2019.

All words and support that continue to drive one of the regions top performing athletes.

“It’s always a good time,” said Martin. “You get to find out how much support I’ve had this whole year, which has been amazing. I don’t there could be a better way to end the season.”

Connaught Club Championship winner Pat Hall was 23 strokes over par for the tournament and finished in second place, followed by Celina Lam and Cathy Fisher.

Despite entering Monday’s final round four shots back of leader Merle Kurpjuweit, Jim Duce stormed back with a two-over, 74 to win the senior men’s division by five shots.

Murray Dolhaniuk earned a second place finish at 14 over par, while Kurpjuweit earned the bronze medal with an 84 on Monday.

by Scott Roblin

Batsel crowned ‘King of Connaught’, Martin wraps up season with another title

Championship Finale

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