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Playing on the big greens

Two local students made it to the big greens after placing first and second in the North Eastern Alberta Schools’ Athletics Association golf zones.
golfers

Two local students made it to the big greens after placing first and second in the North Eastern Alberta Schools’ Athletics Association golf zones.


Kendal Rinas and Jocelyne Zalaski are Grade 10 students at Notre Dame High School who share a love for golf.


That passion transferred into success during zones in September, when they competed against other golf enthusiasts between Grades 10 to 12.


Both of the local athletes came out on top, with Rinas placing first and Zalaski taking second in their age category.


“I’ve golfed for a long time. I’m not great at it, but I’m not bad. I wasn’t expecting to get first,” expressed Rinas.


That win guaranteed their spots in provincials, which took place in Calgary from Sept. 24 to 25.


Although they didn’t place, Rinas and Zalaski were thrilled to have even had the opportunity.


“There were two days. We did 18 holes. On the first day I got my personal best, but on the second I didn’t do as well,” Zalaski noted.


The competition included golfing on courses such as Springbank and the River Spirit Golf Club.


Rinas beat her personal best and said, “For ourselves we did good, but compared to others, it was iffy.”


Meeting people, enjoying the view of the mountains, and hitting the greens at Calgary golf courses were some of their favourite parts of the experience.


They even got to know other golfers from the Mallaig area.


“We met lots of people that we didn’t know, but they were from around here,” said Rinas.


While Rinas has been golfing since the age of six, Zalaski is fairly new to the sport. They both started playing with their dads, and never expected to make it to provincials.


Both players are actively involved in sports.


Rinas plays hockey, softball, and golfs.


“I really like team sports, which is kind of funny because golf isn’t one. I like the people that you meet. It’s a good way to get involved,” expressed Rinas.


Zalaski said she is involved in “all school sports,” such as track, volleyball, and soccer.


They agreed that golf is a great sport because of how dynamic it can be.


“It’s tricky. There are good days and bad days. It’s always different,” Rinas said. “When you hit a really good shot it feels really good.”


Although they might not have come out on top at provincials, Rinas and Zalaski would love the opportunity to compete at that level in the future.


“It was really cool to be able to go,” Rinas detailed.

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