WOLFPACK GOLF NAMES 2010 TEAM August 29, 2010
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The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack have named their men’s golf team for 2010. The eight man roster was finalized after three qualifying rounds held this week at the Dunes in Kamloops.
“I am quite optimistic for the season,” says WolfPack head coach Bill Bilton Junior. “W e didn’t have our best showing last year but I feel that the extra lessons and practice over the summer is starting to pay off. The guys are playing better and their scores are evidence of such. Commitment levels are definitely up.”
2008 CCAA Champs
The WolfPack won the Canadian College Athletic Association title in 2008. Last season, they struggled to a fifth place finish in the BC College Athletic Association.
Adam Gruber
This years squad is led by Adam Gruber (Kamloops, BC). Gruber enters his third year with the WolfPack as the 4th best golfer in the BCCAA in 2009. He and brother Mark led the qualifying tournament with totals of 222. Adam had scores of 78-73-71 while Mark carded rounds of 72,75 and 75. Mark is entering his second season with the WolfPack.
Mark Gruber
“I look for Adam to step up with a few individual wins with some good showings,” Bilton stated. “ Hopefully he’ll pick up some tournament victories.”
Kevin Ricalton
Other returning veterans are Kevin Ricalton (Kamloops,BC): third year, Brennan Arduini (Kamloops, BC): third year, Geoff Fahlman (Prince George, BC): third year and Colby Cook (Chilliwack, BC): second year.
There are two new faces on the WolfPack: Chase Broadfoot and Quinn Campbell. Broadfoot shot 83,70 and 78 in the qualifying. Campbell carded 80,75 and 79.
Of the returning vets, only Arduini and Fahlman didn’t play the qualifying tournament. They were working. “But they played enough with me during the summer that I knew they were improving in their game and were going to make the squad,” added Bilton Junior.
“I like the chemistry of the team as many of the guys have played together the last few years and we are all pretty close,” he added. “ Confidence is running pretty high now and I think the matches coming up with UFV will help with the early season jitters at the same time as get the competitive juices flowing again.”
Geoff Fahlman
The WolfPack are hosting UFV next week (Sept 2-3) at the Dunes in what is being called the first annual “Coquihalla Cup”. “ The format will be like the Ryder Cup, “ Bilton explains. “ We’ll play four ball matches on Thursday, alternate shots in the morning round on Friday followed by individual matches on Friday. Eight players will be on each team. Since its match play, we’ll play for points-1/2 for a tied match and a full point for a win. 8 ½ points needed to win the cup.”
Bilton says his team has a bond and a rivalry with UFV. “ We really get along with UFV and coach Chris Bertram. I thought this would be a nice event to have since we are just down the road from them.
It’ll be golf but also socializing and a skills competition as well.”
Round one will go 11 am on Thursday, September 2nd. On Friday, September 3 rd: the morning round goes at 730 am with the afternoon round set for 12:30 pm
Coach Bill Bilton Junior
The WolfPack have something special at stake this 2010 season as they host the CCAA Nationals in October. “ If having the National Championships in your backyard doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what would?” Bilton says. “ The guys are really pumped to be playing on their home turf for the CCAA Nationals and we are equally excited to be hosting.”
Bilton adds that there will be no charge for the public to attend the championships in October.
WOLFPACK GOLF BEGINS TRYOUTS August 19, 2010
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The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s golf team begins what should be a season to remember on Monday. The WolfPack, who won the Canadian College Athletic Association Title in their first year back (2008), are gearing up to host the event in 2010.
The pursuit of winning on their home turf begins Monday (Aug 22) at the Dunes in Kamloops.
“I am looking for consistent improvement by the guys and a few victories,” says ‘Pack coach Bill Bilton Junior, who is back for his third year at the helm.
The WolfPack have only two spots to fill as Adam Gruber (Kamloops, BC), Geoff Fahlman (Prince George, BC), Brennan Arduini (Kamloops, BC) and Kevin Ricailton (Kamloops, BC) are back for their third straight season. Mark Gruber (Kamloops, BC) and Colby Cook (Chilliwack, BC) return for their second season. Adam Gruber finished fourth in the BC College Athletic Association with 591 over four tourneys. The WolfPack team finished fifth in the overall standings with 2,455 total strokes. The University of the Fraser Valley won with 2,372.
The coach is hoping for some top quality recruits to add to the mix. The team will have three days of tryouts (Aug 23-25) at the Dunes.
Bilton says with the WolfPack hosting the Nationals, standards have been bumped up a notch “The importance of putting out a good product this year is definitely a priority,” he says. “The Dunes has been in great shape all year and everyone is looking forward to Tournament conditions (faster greens and longer rough) come championship time. In terms of all logistics for the event, our goal is to keep things simple: no distractions for the players, minimal coaches meetings etc so that we can all concentrate on golf”.
The first BCCAA event is set for September 18-19 th at Swaneset Golf and Country Club. The event is hosted by Kwantlen Polytechnic.
PUTTERING AROUND: Bilton says anyone interested in trying out for his team should call him a (778)220-4064. The WolfPack are looking for some monetary donations to help out with travel and equipment expenses. They have Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum sponsorship packages available. Rounds of golf at the Dunes will come with each package. Partial Tax receipts will be issued by TRU. You are asked to contact Bilton at (250) 579-3300.
The CCAA Nationals will be held October 12-15 th. Volunteers are needed for that event. You can sign up by calling the Dunes pro-shop at (250) 579-3300. Full time volunteers get lunch and a pull over windbreaker. They are looking for ten more volunteers.
DATE SET FOR 2ND ANNUAL BOB WINTERS MEMORIAL August 17, 2010
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Plans are being finalized for the 2nd annual Bob Winters Memorial 100 Hole Invitiational Golf tournament. The event is a major fundraiser for three of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack club teams—men’s golf, men’s hockey and men’s baseball.
“We are hoping for a bigger and better event this year,” says event committee member Jeff Vanjoff. The event sees teams of two playing 100 holes beginning September 16 th at the Dunes in Kamloops.
Teams are made up of people representing a local business or interest. Everyone is to dress the part to promote their sponsor. All players will get breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Each squad will fundraise with prizes being awarded to the top teams. The format of the event is alternate shot. Score doesn’t count.
“Bob Winters was an outstanding contributor to sport in Kamloops,” stated event committee member Ron Maguire. “ Its an honor to be associated with an event of this magnitude in his honor.”
Winters passed away July 27, 2009. His passion was baseball which was evident by his contributions to Kamloops Minor Baseball and the Sun Devils Junior Program. He was also a founding member of the TRU WolfPack baseball program. He was named Kamloops Sports Person of the Year in 1991 and was named to the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fam in 2005.
If you are interested in sponsoring one of the teams, you can long onto www.tru.ca/forms/golf100/pledge.html.
GOLF SETS DATES FOR 2010 TRYOUTS June 14, 2010
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(A. Snucins)
The 2010 Canadian College Athletic Association Golf Season will be a big one for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack. And it’ll begin in late August with team try outs.
Head coach Bill Bilton Junior is happy to announce a three round try out will be held August 23-25 th at the WolfPack’s home course: The Dunes at Kamloops.
This will be an exciting year for the ‘Pack. Entering their third year of play in the CCAA and the BC College Athletic Association, the WolfPack will be hosting the National Championships in October (12-15).
“ With the Nationals coming to the Dunes this year,” says Bilton Junior. “It would be great to have a contending team to put together. I feel we have one of the best players in the country still, in Adam Gruber (Kamloops, BC). It would be fantastic to see him win the competition on the course he grew up on.”
Adam Gruber (A. Snucins)
Gruber finished fourth in the BCCAA in 2009 with a 73.7 stroke average over the four BC events
“I think Adam has some serious professional aspirations,” added the TRU coach. “ That would make winning this championship special as he heads to the next level.”
Bilton Junior is also expecting more of a solid season from his returnees. “ Geoff Fahlman (Prince George, BC-two tournaments), Kevin Ricalton (Kamloops, BC-three tournaments), Mark Gruber (Kamloops, BC) Brennan Arduini (Kamloops, BC-two tournaments) and Colby Cook (Chilliwack, BC-three tournaments) should have a better year,” he says. “ I think all have improved their games and seem to be a little more comfortable on the course. Home course is going to be great for us too.”
The TRU coach is hoping that recruiting efforts will pay off. “ Hopefully we can recruit two strong players this year and make a run for both the Provincial and National titles. There are many good teams emerging so we’ll have to play some good golf to make a run. I believe in the guys and we will certainly give it our best shot.”
The time for the try outs will be 730 am on the first day (Aug 23) and 8 am for the final two days (Aug 24-25). To try out, aspiring golfers are asked to email Bilton Junior at billjr@golfthedunes.com (That’s b i l l j r @ golfthedunes.com) or call the pro shop at the Dunes at 250.579.3300
BCCAA GOLF SEASON ENDS WITH WOLFPACK FIFTH, ADAM GRUBER 4 TH October 26, 2009
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The curtain has come down on the 2009 BC College Athletic Association Season with the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack finishing fifth in the team standings. But, Adam Gruber (2nd year, Kamloops, BC), who captured the BCCAA gold medal in 2008, wound up fourth in the individual standings. This followed a 36 hole tournament held at the Quail and the Bear courses in Kelowna.
The WolfPack had a five man, four tournament total of 2455. University of the Fraser Valley took home team honors with 2372. That was two shots ahead of Camosun College. UBCO was third at 2390 with Capilano University finishing fourth at 2443.
Brett Webster of Camosun (Abbotsford, BC) took home the gold medal individually. He shot 71 and 69 this weekend to finish with a four tournament total of 567. That was 11 shots better than Ken Osborne of UBCO ( Comox, BC). Osborne had 70 and 73 in the final tournament. Jordan Krulicki of UBCO (Red Deer, Alta) was third with 583. He had 77 and 74 this weekend.
That was the same two round total as Adam Gruber. Gruber had 591 total strokes.
Two other TRU golfers played in all four tournaments. Geoff Falhlman (Prince George, BC) was 24 th with a 629 total. He shot 77 and 80 in the Kelowna tourney. Mark Gruber (Kamloops, BC) finished 31 st with a total of 663. Mark fired 82 and 72 on the weekend.
Among the golfers who played in three tourneys: Brett Gruber (Kamloops, BC) of TRU was first. He played in the first three tourneys (Castlegar, Nanaimo and the Dunes) and had 458. Kevin Ricalton (Kamloops, BC) was fourth at 469. He too, competed in the first three tournaments. Colby Cook (Chilliwack, BC) was 10 th at 505. Cook participated in Castlegar, the Dunes and Kelowna.
In the 2 tournament catagory: Rylan Nelson (Vancouver, BC) was first at 317. Nelson played Nanaimo and the UBCO events. Brennan Arduini (Kamloops, BC) played Castlegar and the Dunes and finished third at 324.
2009 TRU Golf Team