The RDC women’s golf team took a major hit last week with the loss of Camille Stankievich.
Her absence will make it tough on the Queens if they hope to medal for the second year in a row at the national finals. Last season they captured bronze.
“Camille said she couldn’t commit to the team with a heavy work load at school,” explained RDC head coach Scott Bergdahl. “Her loss will hurt.”
But Bergdahl still has three players on the women’s team including veterans Pauline Johnson and Lauren Goranson. The third member is Caitlin Keliher of Lacombe, who has a 13 handicap.
“We have a solid team which should challenge for top spot in the north regionals and in the top four at the provincials,” said Bergdahl.
The regionals go Saturday and Sunday at Goose Hummock in Gibsons with the provincials hosted by Mount Royal at Calgary Wintergreen. The nationals are in Windsor, Ont.
The RDC men’s team is as deep as it has been in years with nine players, including red shirt Ben Stang of Red Deer.
The team will be led by Aaron Haakman and Eric de Wit, both of whom who have extensive junior experience.
Haakman, who hasn’t played that much this summer, led the RDC team in qualifying with de Wit second.
Last year the RDC squad was led by Jordan Krulicki.
“I’m not sure we have anyone quite as strong as Jordan, but both Eric and Aaron have had success in the past and will be our leaders,” said Bergdahl.
Other members of the team are Aaron Dyck of Hudson Bay, Sask., Jordie Weich of Penhold, who plays out of Innisfail, Dylan Winnicki of Red Deer, Jordan Stevens of Calgary, Jeff McLean of Edmonton and Logan Vanderham of Innisfail.
“The guys all have a lot of potential and the nice thing is they’ll all be back next year,” added Bergdahl.