2023 will be a year Bennett Brazier will never forget. "It was pretty surreal. It was a good year." said the St. Anne golfer who was crowned OFSAA champ Thursday.
He was second after day one shooting a 1-under 70. Weather played a factor on the final day as he and the rest of the field shot high numbers. "Tougher conditions out there today. It was tough picking out clubs because the wind kept changing directions." said Brazier who stroked a 76, one more than the day's best of 75 by Keagan Hackney of Strathroy.
A two-day total of 146 was three better than second-place Carter O'Brien of Hamilton and earned Brazier the OFSAA gold medal. The 16-year old also won the Jamieson Jr. Golf Tour and Essex-Kent this summer.
It's been quite a ride for a player who only got serious about golf three and a half years ago. He was out golfing with his dad and buddy and shot a 51 through nine holes. Brazier thought that was good and was hooked. Soon afterwards he joined the Jamieson Tour and got a shot of reality. "I didn't realize I was gonna play from the men's tee and shot a 117 in the qualifier." said Brazier.
He stuck with it and the long summer days have turned into gold. Brazier plans to play more tournaments and provincial events next year and says he'll be back to try and defend his OFSAA title. "The goal is always to get better. I play good but there's some inconsisitences. If I can work that out I can get a lot lower and better."
He hopes one day to earn a golf scholarship in the U.S.
For more local sports check out our website: Windsor-Essex Sports | Powerplay Sports | (windsoressexsports.com)
Andrew Baker of Essex.
Cale Marontate from Kingsville.
Courtesy of Craig Cavanaugh.