Caleb Kinch played like anything but a rookie Tuesday.
In Quebec for the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association golf championships, the 18-year-old from Medicine Hat College led the way for the Rattlers, firing a 6-over par 78 at Continental Golf Club near Montreal – good for a share of 24th place after the first round.
“He was in second for the meat of the day,” said Rattlers coach Dillon Batsel. “It definitely got windy in the last six holes… they’re not the easiest.”
Kinch was at even-par on the 13th tee. Four bogeys and a double coming in dropped him 22 spots on the leaderboard.
Birdies on the fourth and seventh holes ensured the first-year college golfer was in a good spot.
“My tee shots were placing me in good places and I was able to get on a roll,” Kinch wrote in a text message to the News. “Couple long putts made during that stretch, especially a 30-footer on seven for birdie.”
More than the golf, however, Kinch said he’s enjoying his first-ever national tournament out of his home province. He played in junior golf nationals last year in Medicine Hat.
“It’s been really cool,” he wrote. “Going across the country for golf is something I have never experienced before and just being in the different culture is a great experience.”
The 72-hole event continues through Friday and the Hat contingent saw its fair share of ups and downs early on.
While Kinch led the men’s side, captain Derek Whitson was only a shot back after a 7-over 79. Fellow second-year returnee Brady Resch shot an 85, while Mathieu Chapdelaine and Chase Broderson shot 86’s. Broderson, second in the Alberta championships two weeks ago for the second year in a row, had a particularly surprising finish with five bogeys and two doubles over his final seven holes.
As a team, the male Rattlers are tied for last place after the first round.
On the women’s side, Nicole Schultz and Sierra Zukowski both cracked the top-10 after 18 holes, helping them sit third out of eight teams.
“The ladies got off to a great start,” said Batsel. “I’m real pleased with how they have started the tournament, that’s for sure.”
Schultz shot a 10-over 82, while Zukowski had a 12-over 84. They’re ninth and 10th, respectively. Ciara Bonogofski birdied her first hole but shot 105 and is last in the 22-player field.
At the top of the women’s leaderboard is last year’s individual winner, Emily Romancew of Quebec’s John Abbott College. Quebec’s Champlain St. Lawrence lead the women’s team event.
A Champlain St. Lawrence men’s player, Louis-Alexandre Jobin-Colgan, shot a 1-under 71 to take the individual lead and help his team to the best score of the opening day as well.
