Michael Valk practicing at Desert Blume Golf Course before Nationals

By Lisa Parent

Rattlers golfer Michael Valk takes silver at college nationals

Oct 23, 2023 | 4:37 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – On Saturday, the Medicine Hat Rattlers golf team got back from a four day National Championship. This was hosted by the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association Nationals in Quebec. Local men’s player Michael Valk didn’t come back empty handed.

“I got off to a really good start. Shooting 65 in the first round was definitely a big bonus,” explains Valk. “Got out to a big lead after the first two days and yeah, the last two days didn’t go exactly as planned, but overall it was a very fun tournament.”

He adds, “Quebec City is a really cool place to be, so I was really happy to be out there and to play some good golf.”

This first year golfer shot an overall score of -3, which secured his silver medal. Valk was leading the pack in the first two days of competition, until Felix Bouchard of Montreal overtook him.

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Throughout the year, Valk finished at the top of the ACAC golf standings. With big hopes for Nationals, Valk says silver isn’t what he was shooting for. However, he plans to come back stronger next year and go for gold.

“I learned a lot. I learned what not to do, what my strengths are under those type of conditions. So you just you learn the best you can and you move on with it,” Valk says.

On the women’s side, Rattlers Libby Bourassa took 13th place, and Taryn Sanderson finished 18th.