Betty Ann Shiels captured her eighth Simon Fraser Open trophy Sunday, but it was Natasha Kozlowski who stole the show.
Kozlowski was golfing for the first time in the Ladies Simon Fraser Open tournament at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club on Saturday and Sunday. But the 12-year-old didn't look like a rookie, winning the low net with a two-day score of 136, factoring in her 33 handicap.
"This is the future of golf," said Shiels. "To have a 12-year-old win the low net is just fantastic. I'm looking forward to watching her progress in her career. I hope she sticks with it. It's great what young folks can do these days with golfing."
Shiels said she's looking forward to Kozlowski challenging her at future tournaments.
In 2013, Shiels won the PGGCC women's club championship and the senior ladies title before completing the "triple crown" with her third straight Simon Fraser Open gross win with a score of 164.
This year's win was especially nice for Shiels after she fell behind seven strokes Saturday when she shot six-over par on the final four holes.
"It's sweet to come back," said Shiels. "It was a big hole but I dug myself out of it. I didn't really think that I had a chance, but I played very well on the front nine [Sunday]. I got even-par on the front. The back wasn't so good, but it was good enough to get it done."
Laurel Clark finished second to Shiels in gross score, while Sharon Wells was the
runner up in net score.
Kozlowski started playing golf when she was seven years old with her family. The
family of four is often seen on the PGGCC course practicing, bonding and sometimes arguing, especially Kozlowski and her 13-year-old brother Roman.
The Grade 7 student prepared for the Simon Fraser Open by winning her flight at a junior championship in Williams Lake the week before, shooting a 117 in the one-day tournament.
Kozlowski also played in a junior golf event in Prince George this summer.
"It feels pretty amazing because it's my first year in the tournament," said Kozlowski.
"It's a great game. You have to think a lot and it's really fun."
