UBC’s Una Chou sets new course record to take lead in women’s division; Aidan Schumer maintains top spot in men’s division
SUDBURY, Ont. – The University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds Men’s and Women’s teams continue to strengthen their hold on the lead following the second round of the 2024 Canadian University/College Championship, presented by BDO.
The UBC Thunderbirds Women’s team were led by Una Chou of San Diego, Calif. on Tuesday. Chou fired a 5-under 67 to set a new women’s course record at Idylwylde Golf & Country Club in Sudbury, Ont. The previous record was held by Canadian Golf Hall of Famer, Marlene Stewart Streit who shot a 68 during the 1974 Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship at Idylwylde.
Chou opened with four birdies on the front nine and recorded three consecutive birdies on holes 15 through 17 to help erase two earlier bogeys on the back nine. Chou credited her work on the greens to help her score so well on Tuesday.
“My putting, I was able to make most putts within 15-feet,” said Chou.
Teammate Grace Bell of Calgary, Alta. has moved into second in the individual standings following a 2-over 74 on Tuesday. Bell is now six shots behind Chou. Julia Alexander-Carew of Oakville, Ont. (UBC Okanagan Heat) is solo third at 4-over for the tournament following a 75 in the second round. UBC Thunderbirds’ Bo Brown of Mississauga, Ont. and Jessica Ng of Vancouver, B.C. round out the top five.
The UBC Thunderbirds Women’s team, who are seeking their seventh consecutive national championship, have opened a sizable lead after two days. The Thunderbirds shot a collective 4-under 212 on Tuesday to improve to 2-under for the tournament, 27 shots clear of the UBC Okanagan Heat who are at 25-over. Chou said with this being the team’s final tournament of the season, they want to end on a high note.
“We have so much faith within each other, and I think that’s why we are playing well as we know we have each other’s back. We still have two more rounds so I think if we can just continue what we have been doing we will be great,” she added.
The UBC Thunderbirds Men’s team are looking to win their eighth national title and second in the past three years are currently 33 shots ahead of the Montreal Carabins. The Thunderbirds shot a collective score of 8-under 280 in today’s second round to get to 22-under for the tournament.
Aidan Schumer of Columbus, Ohio continues to lead the way for the Thunderbirds and the men’s individual leaderboard. Schumer followed up a strong opening round with a 6-under 66 on Tuesday to move to 11-under for the tournament. Schumer started strong with an eagle on the opening hole and went on to record five additional birdies during his round.
Behind Schumer are teammates, John Paul Kahlert of Maple Ridge, B.C. who posted another round at 3-under 69 to move to 6-under for the tournament and is five shots back. Mackenzie Bickell of Richmond, B.C. dropped one stroke following a 73 to sit at 3-under and is tied for third with Owen Croft (Victoria Vikes) who improved to 3-under overall after posting a 5-under 67 on Tuesday. There is a three-way tie for fifth with William Forgues (Laval Rouge et Or), Dylan MacDonald (UBC Thunderbirds) and Anthony Jomphe (Montreal Carabins) all at 2-under.
In the team championship, four daily scores count towards the team total with three scores daily in the women’s division. After the third round, the field will be cut to the low nine (9) men’s teams and the low six (6) women’s teams, including any team within 15 shots of the lead. Individuals within ten (10) shots of third place, or any player within the top-10, will also make the cut.
For the leaderboards following play on Tuesday, please click here. For Wednesday’s pairings and tee times, please click here.
Men’s Team Championship – Top 5
| PLACE | TEAM | SCORE | TOTAL |
| 1 | UBC Thunderbirds | 274-280 | -22 |
| 2 | Montreal Carabins | 300-287 | +11 |
| 3 | Victoria Vikes | 294-294 | +12 |
| 4 | Laval Rouge et Or | 298-291 | +13 |
| 5 | UBC Okanagan Heat | 294-299 | +17 |
Women’s Team Championship – Top 5
| PLACE | TEAM | SCORE | TOTAL |
| 1 | UBC Thunderbirds | 218-212 | -2 |
| 2 | UBC Okanagan Heat | 228-229 | +25 |
| 3 | Fraser Valley Cascades | 242-233 | +43 |
| 4 | Laval Rouge et Or | 244-232 | +44 |
| 5 | Victoria Vikes | 244-233 | +45 |
Men’s Individual Championship – Top 5
| PLACE | TEAM | SCORE | TOTAL |
| 1 | Aidan Schumer (UBC Thunderbirds) | 67-66 | -11 |
| 2 | John Paul Kahlert (UBC Thunderbirds) | 69-69 | -6 |
| T3 | Mackenzie Bickell (UBC Thunderbirds) | 68-73 | -3 |
| T3 | Owen Croft (Victoria Vikes) | 74-67 | -3 |
| T5 | William Forgues (Laval Rouge et Or) | 73-69 | -2 |
| T5 | Dylan MacDonald (UBC Thunderbirds) | 70-72 | -2 |
| T5 | Anthony Jomphe (Montreal Carabins) | 69-73 | -2 |
Women’s Individual Championship – Top 5
| PLACE | TEAM | SCORE | TOTAL |
| 1 | Una Chou (UBC Thunderbirds) | 73-67 | -4 |
| 2 | Grace Bell (UBC Thunderbirds) | 72-74 | +2 |
| 3 | Julia Alexander-Carew (UBC Okanagan Heat) | 73-75 | +4 |
| T4 | Bo Brown (UBC Thunderbirds) | 73-77 | +6 |
| T4 | Jessica Ng (UBC Thunderbirds) | 79-71 | +6 |