UBC Thunderbirds’ Una Chou and Dylan MacDonald win women’s and men’s individual championships
SUDBURY, Ont. – The UBC Thunderbirds have completed a clean sweep, winning the men’s and women’s team championships as well as both individual championships at the 2024 Canadian University/College Championship, presented by BDO at Idylwylde Golf & Country Club in Sudbury, Ont.
The UBC Thunderbirds Men’s team have claimed their eighth national championship after shooting a collective, 7-under (274-280-291-300). The Thunderbirds were represented by Mackenzie Bickell of Richmond, B.C., John Paul Kahlert of Maple Ridge, B.C., Hudson LaFayette of North Vancouver, B.C., Dylan MacDonald of Markham, Ont. and Aidan Schumer of Columbus, Ohio.
UBC Thunderbirds Coach Chris Macdonald has been apart of every Canadian University/College national championship for both teams. With the double win this year, he has coached both programs to 25 national titles having been with the women’s team since 2001 and the men’s team since 2004.
“Really proud of a lot of things for our teams. They work so hard in practice, they play hard and really try to perform well for each other. There is really great sportsmanship and teamwork in our group and just really proud of them. Not just these teams, but the program itself.
“We are really happy about our program and the golf scholarship endowment we have for Canadian student athletes from the Thunderbird Golf Society and thanks to UBC Athletics for supporting golf and our home course at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club,” said Coach Macdonald.
In addition to winning the national championship, the Thunderbirds Men’s team have qualified for the inaugural Canadian Collegiate Invitational, taking place September 15-17 at Öviinbyrd Golf Club in MacTier, Ont.
The Fraser Valley Cascades finished as runner-up at 43-over and the Montreal Carabins and Victoria Vikes tied for third at 44-over.
The men’s individual championship came down to a playoff between MacDonald (UBC Thunderbirds) and William Forgues of Quebec City, Que. (Laval Rouge et Or). MacDonald won on the first playoff hole to claim the national championship. MacDonald finished at 1-under for the tournament following rounds of 70-72-73-72.
MacDonald has also earned an exemption into the 119th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO at the Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon, Sask. from August 5-8. Anthony Jomphe of Chicoutimi, Que. (Montreal Carabins) finished third at even-par.
UBC Thunderbirds Women’s team have now won seven consecutive national titles
The Thunderbirds were led by Una Chou of San Diego, Calif. who claimed the women’s individual title. Along with Chou were teammates, Grace Bell of Calgary, Alta., Bo Brown of Mississauga, Ont. and Jessica Ng of Vancouver, B.C. Collectively they finished the tournament at 21-over, 42 shots clear of the UBC Okanagan Heat.
“I’m just very proud of our women’s team, the program and the consistency. They are just very experienced players and have played lots of tournaments together. NCAA Division I events and Division II events so I’m really proud of how they’ve played in some really tough tournaments this year and brought their best this week,” added Macdonald.
Chou shot a 1-over 73 on Thursday to finish the tournament at 1-under (73-67-74-73) to win by 12 strokes. Chou was in contention all week and was only one-shot back after the opening round.
In addition to winning the national championship, Chou has also earned an exemption into the 110th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO from July 30 to August 2 at Royal Colwood Golf Club in Victoria, B.C. Julia Alexander-Carew of Oakville, Ont. (UBC Okanagan Heat) finished at runner-up at 13-over and UBC Thunderbird teammates Brown and Bell tied for third at 15-over.
