KOMOKA, Ont. - "I think in golf, I've learned that ... as long as you do better than yesterday, that's all you could ask for. There's really no competition other than yourself."
That insight came courtesy of third-year student-athlete Vanessa Lin, and her play backed up her proverbing on Wednesday, as she improved from an opening round score of 92 to a team-best 84 in round two.
"A lot less three-puts today which is always good ... Overall, my game was better. I think I was more in tune with the course."
This is the first event Lin has competed for Laurier since being named the female President's Award winner at the Athletic Banquet in April. She is the first golfer – male or female – to win the award.
"I think it does put a little bit of pressure on you, because you don't want to disappoint anyone," she commented.
Lin did indeed set expectations high with her play this season, winning two gold medals in the fall season and placing sixteenth at the OUA championships. Following a tough round on Tuesday, the Ancaster, Ont. native showcased the resilient poise which has earned her so much success.
Starting on hole #10, Lin double bogeyed to begin the round but played relatively mistake-free the rest of the way. She birdied 18, which has been one of the toughest holes for all players throughout the competition so far.
Lin said she and the team benefited from an early morning tee-off, meaning they were able to play most of their round before the temperature rose to its sweltering peak of 33 degrees celsius.
The men's team had no such luxury, but they too improved on their round one showing in a big way, posting an even par as a team to remain at +15 and tied for fifth on the leaderboard.
This was thanks in large part to the play of second-year Conor Gaudet, who shot -4 on the day, improving his overall score to +2.
"I felt really good, especially after a tough day yesterday. A couple big scores to come back and play a really patient round. It was big for the confidence for sure," he said.
Patience was the key, explained Gaudet. He shot an even par on the back nine to start his round. Two clutch par saves on holes two and three then gave way to four straight birdies on holes three through seven.
"Just staying in the routine, really," he said when asked what led to his scoring streak. "When you get in kind of uncharted territory like that, you want to keep doing the same things over and over again. I was able to kind of calm my breathing, focus on my pre shot routine, and then just go from there."
A leader on and off the course, Gaudet keeps a Canada Blood Services pin on his golf bag. He, along with teammate Sam Zulian, initiated a blood drive through the Golden Hawk Council this season.
Right behind Gaudet was teammate Matthew Whitehead, who shot three under par to improve his overall score to minus-one. He sits tied for sixth place individually.
Looking ahead, Gaudet says "days three and four, it's just all about kind of sticking to the process."
The men's team is currently 15 strokes ahead of eleventh-placed Georgian, meaning they are in good shape to finish round three within the top ten and make the Thursday cut.
The women's team, meanwhile, will face an uphill battle, needing to make up 27 shots to crack the top six and earn the right to play on Friday.
Round Two Results:
WOMEN
TEAM:
11. Laurier 514 (+76)
INDIVIDUAL:
T22. Lauren Bevan 164 (+18), T36. Kristi Godkin 175 (+29), T39. Vanessa Lin 176 (+30), T43. Sam Zulian 182 (+36)
MEN
TEAM:
T5. Laurier 591 (+15)
INDIVIDUAL:
T6. Matthew Whitehead 142 (-2), T6. Conor Gaudet 146 (+2), T17. Jonathan Cramton 149 (+5), T54. Aaron Petro 154 (+10), T60. Julian Crupi 155 (+11)
Round Three Tee Times:
MEN
Julian Crupi - 8:20 am
Aaron Petro - 8:30 am
Jonathan Cramton - 8:40 am
Conor Gaudet - 8:50 am
Matthew Whitehead - 9:00 am
WOMEN
Sam Zulian - 12:40 pm
Vanessa Lin - 12:50 pm
Kristi Godkin - 1:00 pm
Lauren Bevan - 1:10 pm
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