Ontario Bantam Girls Golf

Claire Hernandez Tops the Field at Ontario Bantam Girls' Championship

Cambridge, ON - Claire Hernandez of Bolton hoisted the Cathy Sherk trophy on Wednesday at the Ontario Bantam Girls' Championship hosted by Puslinch Lake Golf Course.

Hernandez, 13, captured a three-stroke victory over the rest of the field after closing out the tournament at +14.  The Ladies' Golf Club of Toronto member, who earned runner-up honours in the 2009 tournament, carded a six-over 76 and an eight-over 78 in the two day event that features Ontario's best female golfers age thirteen and younger.

"I knew that there was definitely a chance I could win out there so I just tried to play my best golf," said Hernandez of her performance, which included five birdies in total.

The Golf Association of Ontario Under 17 Development Program member carried the lead throughout the duration of the 36 hole tournament and earned her first provincial victory.

Runner-up honours went to St. Catharines resident Kennedy Bodfield, who finished three strokes back of Hernandez at +17. The thirteen year old Rockway Glen Golf Club member carded a 78 and a 79 to pick up the silver medal.

Orillia resident Mahealani Subad finished eight strokes off the lead at +22 to earn the bronze medal, while Annika Haynes of Oakville finished fourth at +25 and Divya Chawla of Richmond Hill closed out the tournament in fifth at +27.

Hernandez and Bodfield will now earn spots on Team Ontario at the upcoming Ontario Quebec matches, where a team of juvenile and bantam aged golfers from both provinces will square off at Lachute Golf Club in Lachute, QC on August 17-18, 2010.

The Ontario Bantam Girls' Championship is contested annually and is open to female golfers age thirteen and under. 2010 marks the first time that the event has been held in conjunction with the Ontario Bantam Boys' Championship at Puslinch Lake Golf Course, which will also serve as the venue for the 2011 championship.