It didn't take long for Prince George golfers Natasha Kozlowski and Cody Bailey to get into the swing of things.
Despite a lightning storm and gusty winds which suspended play at Chilliwack Golf and Country Club on Saturday the Prince George Golf and Curling Club members were calm under pressure while winning their respective junior titles at the Maple Leaf Junior Tour Ford Series tournament.
The 17-year-old Kozlowski started out with a first-round 80 and shot 84 on Sunday for a two-round total of 164. She won the girls 15-18-year-old category by six strokes over Lucy Park of Abbotsford.
Kozlowski, who captured the Ladies Simon Fraser Open title last year, will graduate this spring from College Heights secondary school and will move on to university golf in September at a yet-to-be-announced school.
"For young golfers like me, the MJT events are a great way to gain tournament experience," said Kozlowski, in a Maple Leaf Junior Tour release.
Bailey won the junior boys 15-18-year-old division Hoselton Trophy when he shot 79-70-149. Holding a one-shot lead heading into the final round Sunday, Bailey scorched the course on Sunday. posting five birdies and an eagle. His two-under 70 left him 10 shots ahead of runner-up Riley Geiger of Langley.
"It feels extra special winning," said the 18-year-old Bailey. "I just decided to stop my other sport and pursue golf (he was a rep hockey team centre for the Prince George midget Tier 1 Cougars until last season). This win validates the choice I made."
Bailey won the Junior Simon Fraser Open last summer on his home course, winning by eight strokes over Kozlowski.
Kozlowski and Bailey are now shortlisted for the U.S. Kids Teen Golf Championship, July 25-27 in Pinehurst, N.C.
The Maple Leaf Tour resumes this weekend at the TaylorMade Series tournament in Vancouver.
