Martin, Batsel defend Southeastern titles
By RYAN MCCRACKEN on September 9, 2020.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com@MHNMcCracken Becky Martin and Dillon Batsel defended their crowns at the 87th annual Southeastern Golf Classic, Monday at Connaught Golf Club. Martin shot a 75-74-78-227 to cruise to her fourth straight title, while Batsel went 68-71-70-209 to collect his fourth championship over the past five years. “I always have good vibes being where I learned to play the game,” Batsel said in a phone call with the News. “Aside from a few of those members there, I’m sure I’ve probably, in the last decade, racked up as many rounds there as maybe anybody. It’s a unique course – you need to know where to miss it, you need to know where you can’t miss it and you need to know where you can’t miss it on the greens.” Batsel – who coaches the Medicine Hat Rattlers college golf team – bested runner-up Ryan Werre (70-73-77-220), of Redcliff, by 11 strokes for the win. Batsel said golfing through the pandemic has been nearly the same with one glaring exception – having to leave the pin in for putts. The simple distinction provided a sizeable challenge for Batsel in the early going, but he seemed to find his groove on the green over the weekend. “I know for maybe the non-golfer or someone who doesn’t mind the pin in, it might not seem like a big deal, but it was just a really weird competitive season doing that,” he said. “If I looked at my game, maybe the weakest part of my game normally would be my putting. I kind of struggled all summer so it was nice to actually have a decent-putting weekend to cap it all off.” Former champion Warren Gnam (77-76-85-238) finished sixth just a few days after winning the Senior Men’s Lobstick Tournament title at Waskesiu Golf Course in Waskesiu Lake, Sask. Martin won by 37 shots over runner-up Jean Nitchke (86-86-92-264). “Every time I see (Martin) at the golf course I always stop to chat with her,” said Batsel. “We kind of had the same journey as far as golf goes – playing junior golf, having some success in junior golf and then going down south to play collegiate golf. I was down there a little bit longer than she was, but then she came back and played at (MHC) and now being the coach of the college, I know about her accolades there.” Nitchke’s second-place finish follows a senior ladies title at the Medicine Hat Golf and Country Club Championship last month and the Super Seniors crown at the Alberta Senior Ladies Championship. Perry Rasmussen won the Southeastern’s senior championship with a 78-69-77-224. Medicine Hat Sports Wall of Fame golfer Kelly Risling (78-75-83-236) finished 12 strokes behind Rasmussen for second. 13-12
