Rattlers’ golfers win ACAC awards
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on September 30, 2023.
sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews Two Medicine Hat College Rattlers golfers received top honours for their play this fall. Michael Valk was named the ACAC’s male golfer of the year and Taryn Sanderson was named the female golf rookie of the year. This season, Valk won both regional events leading up to the ACAC Championships. In seven rounds throughout the season, he was over par on just two of them and didn’t shoot over par once in the championships. His best round of the season came at the ACAC Championships when he shot -4 in the second round of the event, tying for the low round of the tournament. He also shot a 68 at the North Regional in the first round for a -3 score that day. As a first-year student-athlete, Sanderson excelled right out of the gate. In her first event at the North Regional in the ACAC, she finished in sixth place and was the second-best scorer on MHC. At the locally held South Regional, she came in fifth and was again the second-best scorer on her team. At the ACAC Championships, she placed sixth and secured herself a ticket to nationals with her performance. Valk and the Rattlers women’s golf team will compete at the Canada College Athletic Association championships at Champlain St. Lawrence, Que. from Oct. 16-20. Manager of athletics and recreation Terry Ballard provided statements on both golfers’ achievements in separate releases Friday. “Medicine Hat College and Rattlers Athletics are extremely proud of Michael. He has established himself as the top male golfer in the ACAC with some outstanding rounds and scores. Michael is a dedicated student-athlete working towards a diploma in Power Engineering and is preparing to participate in the 2023 CCAA Golf National Championships. We look forward to seeing the results from that event.” “Medicine Hat College and Rattlers Athletics are proud of Taryn for winning the 2023 ACAC Golf Female Rookie of the Year. Taryn had a solid season of ACAC Golf with the Rattlers and helped the Rattlers women’s golf team earn a silver medal at the Conference Championships. This has earned Taryn and teammate Libby Bourassa a trip to the 2023 CCAA Golf National Championships. This will be an exciting event for them.” MHC golfer Libby Bourassa and Valk were named to the ACAC’s all-conference golf teams. 11-10
