Zhang, Baek Grab Lead At B.C. Bantam Boys And Girls Championships

Chaewon Baek Of Langley Leads The Girls Division Of The B.C. Bantam Championship At Shannon Lake GC In Kelowna - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

The B.C. Bantam Boys Championship was looking a little like the Coquitlam Open after Tuesday’s first round at Shannon Lake Golf Club in Kelowna. The top three scores were recorded by Coquitlam residents.

Billy Zhang led the way, shooting a two-over 71 that gave him a two-shot lead over Luke Quanson. Fellow Coquitlam resident Ethan Posthumus was alone in third after opening with a five-over 74.

Zhang’s round was a real roller-coaster. He had five birdies, four bogeys and a double-bogey. The Bantam championship is open to players aged 14 and under.

On the girls’ side, Langley’s Chaewon Baek grabbed the lead with a nine-over 78. Baek’s round was hurt by a pair of triple-bogeys. She has a one-shot lead over Luna Lu of Burnaby. June Hsiao of Coquitlam was another shot back in third place after opening with an 80. The 36-hole championship concludes on Wednesday.

The tournament, the final event on the British Columbia Golf calendar this summer, also includes a Novice Division for players with higher handicaps that features net Stableford scoring. 

image courtesy CJGA

Coquitlam's Billy Zhang Is The First Round Leader In The B.C. Boys Bantam Championship

Kate Hancock leads the Novice Girls race with 31 points after the first round. Dana Smith of Campbell River is second with 28 points. David Krahn of Christina Lake leads the Novice Boys with 42 points. Caleb Davies of Kamloops is second with 41 points.

A two-person best-ball competition is also being held. The team of Hsiao and Katherine Hao of Burnaby lead after with the first round with an 11-under 58. Posthumus and Noah Karlgren of Surrey are two shots back in second place.

Click HERE for complete scoring.