When the Waterloo Warriors men’s golf team hoisted the Ruttan Cup as Ontario champions for the second straight year in October
When the Waterloo Warriors men’s golf team hoisted the Ruttan Cup as Ontario champions for the second straight year in October, it marked an iconic moment in the history of Waterloo’s Department of Athletics. The win marked the 100th provincial championship for the Warriors since entering interuniversity competition in 1957.
“I am so proud of our student athletes who continue Waterloo’s tradition of excellence in the classroom, in workplaces and on the playing fields,” said Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor of Waterloo. “The opportunity to participate in sports with championship-winning pedigree elevates the student experience at Waterloo as we help our students to become extraordinary alumni who are uniquely equipped to contribute to society.”
The men’s golf team won their second straight Ruttan Cup in dominating fashion, beating every other team in the field by 19 strokes. It was their sixth straight tournament win of the OUA golf season. The women’s golf team narrowly missed out on making it 101 titles, winning the team silver medal at the tournament played at the Oshawa Golf Club.
The men’s curling team became the first Warrior championship team in 1963 and 24 teams competing in 15 different sports have won provincial championships for Waterloo (see breakdown below).
The men’s golf team owns the most titles on the list at 10 making up 10 per cent of all championship titles the black and gold have earned. Women’s badminton is second with nine OUA titles while men’s and women’s curling have eight each.
Breakdown by Teams
Women’s Team Champions (51)
Men’s Team Champions (49)
The Warrior men’s golfers were led by Gajan Sivabalasingham who won his second straight Len Shore Trophy, awarded to the individual with the lowest score at the OUA Championship. The fifth year math and business student was the only golfer in red figures, with his two-day total of 143, 1-under par.
Not to be outdone was the rest of the Warrior squad who were made up of five golfers, all of which go towards the team totals at the end of the two-day event. David French, a third year recreation and business student, was impressive with his two-day total of 147 (3-over), good enough for the individual silver medal. Dylan Cave finished in seventh spot with a 6-over while Jake Adams was one shot back to tie for 8th. Devin Bartlett rounded out the Waterloo scoring with a 28th place finish (out of 80 golfers).
Dave Hollinger, head coach of the golf team, played a role in all but one gold medal performance. As a player, Hollinger won three provincial titles (1969, ’70, and ’72) and has won six as a coach and was named OUA coach of the year for every title year.
“These guys are an exceptional group of student-athletes and what they did this year on the golf course was something special,” said Hollinger. “We had five different individual winners and had won five straight invitational tournament’s going into the championships, we knew it was our tournament to lose; it’s pretty special that it was Waterloo’s 100th Ontario championship.”
Roly Webster, Waterloo’s director of athletics and recreation, watched the Warriors day-two magic on the links.
“I wasn’t aware that it would be a monumental victory for the University, but I knew by our performance this season that we would be tough to beat,” said Webster.
“Our golf program has an unequalled reputation and storied history. With Jack Pearse’s legacy and Dave Hollinger’s leadership, it is a program modelled for continued success. With a commitment to enhance the student-athlete experience, I look forward to celebrating future championships by our golfers and other Warrior teams.”
