A chilly, but fun day on the links

Paradise Canyon Golf Resort for a two-day total of 141 to capture the Juvenile Boys 15-16 division, one stroke ahead of Pincher Creek’s Ethan Choi.

Even as Harder and the rest of the field slogged it out in Sunday’s cold conditions in front of bundled-up onlookers, a day on the links is one to be appreciated no matter what Mother Nature throws at you.

“It’s always a good day when you’re out on the course,” said Harder, who was tied with Choi after the first day as both golfers shot a 69 on Saturday.

On Sunday, Harder moved one shot ahead of his fellowsouthern Albertan to snag first in their division.

“It went pretty well,” said Harder. “I hit the ball really well during the first day. The second day was a bit more a grind because of the conditions. It was a bit harder out there. But overall I played pretty well.

“It was just hitting the ball well on the par 3s and 4s and trying to make pars on them and then going to work on the par 5s and trying to make birdies or eagles. It turned out well.”

The chilly, wet conditions weren’t going to put a damper on his day, but Harder noted some adjustments that nonethless had to be made.

“If it’s wetter out you definitely have to adjust for the yardage as how far the ball goes,” said Harder. “It probably flies about 10 yards less than on a nice day.”

Harder is a member of the Henderson Lake Golf Club and the Lethbridge Country Club, but is no stranger at the Paradise Canyon Golf Resort.

“You just have to plan your way around the course and wait until you see a scoring opportunity and jump on it,” he said.

With his tournament victory secured, Harder heads to the west coast this weekend to play in a CN Futurelinks event.

“They’re held all around Canada, it varies every year where it is. But I’ve played it before.”

Harder and Choi weren’t the only locals to place in the topthree in their division over the weekend.

In the Collegiate Mens division, Lethbridge’s Brett Sheridan posted a two-day score of 150 (74, 76) to take second place, six strokes behind Scott Walker of Calgary.

Fellow Lethbridge golfers Darin Bertschi and Lachlan Spriddle placed fifth and tied for seventh, respectively, with scores of 156 and 158.

In the U15 Girls’ division, Taber’s Alanna Makarchuk shot a two-day total of 183 (93, 90) to place third. See full results on B4 For more information on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, please visit