More than twenty different post-secondary institutions from across Canada are represented at the 2024 Canadian University/College Championship being hosted at the Idylwylde Golf & Country Club this week - but just one has dominated much of the off-course discussion.

The University of British Columbia Thunderbirds have not only run away from the field in both the men’s and women’s team competitions, but also made a little history in the process.

Fresh off an impressive victory at the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship at TPC Sawgrass last month, 20 year-old Una Chou set a ladies course record at the storied Sudbury venue, carding a round of 67 on Tuesday.

Combined with her one over par 73 from Monday, the native of Taiwan who moved to San Diego during her high-school years to pursue her love of golf entered day three with a six stroke lead over teammate Grace Bell.

“I was able to make a lot of putts within 15 feet that got me to my score today,” said Chou, who has a sister living in Toronto though her parents remain in Taiwan. “For me, putting is 80% mental, just being confident with your line and visualizing that it will go in.”

“That went really well for me this week.”

While it is not terribly uncommon for top-end Canadian junior golfers to make their way south of the border to pursue NCAA opportunities, the reverse is something of a rarity – even if there is sound logic for this very talented third year Business major. “Since I was already so far from home, I might as well try a few different places,” said Chou, explaining her decision to attend UBC.

“I wanted to see how I like different cities” – and different golf courses, apparently, as the friendly young woman who was recently selected to the 2023-2024 NAIA Women’s All-American Golf first team explained the fit between her golf game and the Idylwylde course.

“Our home course (Shaughnessy G & CC) is tree lined, which is similar to some of the holes here,” said Chou. “I find it easier to pick a target and go for it – and I hit mostly draws and this course fits nicely with my draw line.”

With a team total of 212 (two under par), the Thunderbird women have built up a 27 shot cushion over the UBC Okanagan Heat – though the coastal men still hold bragging rights heading into day three.

At 22 under par 554, the T-Bird men are an astounding 33 shots ahead of the closely bunched troika of the Montreal Carabins (587), Victoria Vikes (588) and Laval Rouge et Or (589).

On an individual basis, the UBC men hold down three of the top four spots, with Aidan Schumer (11 under par – 133) showing the way, followed by teammate John Paul Kahlart (five shots back), Mackenzie Bickell (UBC) and Owen Croft (Victoria) tied at 141 and William Forgues (Laval), Dylan MacDonald (UBC) and Anthony Jomphe (Montreal) all log-jammed in fifth, another stroke back.

Still, there is more to this UBC men’s team that just boatloads of golfing talent.

“We definitely have some characters, a range of people,” suggested John Paul Kahlart, a native of Maple Ridge (B.C.). “We’re very close and we are fortunate that we get a chance to spend a lot of time together doing some pretty fun stuff. We push each other and learn from each other.”

“It helps us progress as a group, which is definitely a strength of ours.”

Interestingly enough, golf wasn’t likely the primary draw that attracted the young man who led the Thunderbirds to the 2023 NAIA Men’s Championship title in Arizona last May to the U Sports golf powerhouse. “I study engineering at UBC and both my dad and my grandpas were UBC engineers,” said Kahlart. “I’ve kind of known since I was really young that I wanted to be an engineer.”

“As I progressed along my golf journey, I realized UBC was a good option, so it was really the perfect choice for a good mix of both, academics and athletics.”

Clearly pleased with his play to date, Kahlart noted his appreciation for some of the more challenging aspects of all that is the Idylwylde. “There are some holes that are visually intimidating – especially ten and thirteen,” he said. “They are designed so that you’re not looking at the fairway, so you have to be diligent about good shot selection.”

“And with small greens and the change in elevations, we’re working hard at aiming at spots that make your life easier as opposed to trying to hit some hero shots that can get you in trouble.”

For the overwhelming majority of the field, both men’s and women’s, this week in Sudbury is all about the experience. Few can likely enjoy a better perspective on that than Xavier Dumas-Gautier, a member of the Sherbrooke Vert et Or.

Now 32 years of age and playing in his final university tournament, the soon-to-be engineering grad returned to school at age 25 and did not sign on with his school’s golf team until two years ago.

“I may have a little bit less talent than these young guns, but I am more mature and think I can control my emotions a little bit better,” suggested Dumas-Gautier, who stormed back from a tough opening round to card a one over par 73 on Tuesday. “Everybody will make some nice scores, some low scores, but when you make a high score, if you can control your emotions, it is easier to get back to low scores.”

Trailing only teammate Zachary Gagnon on the Sherbrooke leaderboard, Dumas-Gautier highlighted the differences in playing in a team-first event, versus the solo nature of most golf tournaments.

“When you are playing bad, you don’t care if it’s just you as an individual,” he said. “When you are on a team, even when you are frustrated, you have to think of the team first. But when it goes well, all the team is there to cheer, which is really nice.”

On the local front, Alex Fowke tops the L.U. men’s contingent with a two-day score of 151 (tied for 26th), followed by sibling Ben Fowke (154), Adam Mutuchky (158), Vince Palladino Jr (167 – but one under par through 14 holes on Wednesday) and Ben Hickey (172), with Mackenzie Fowke making the most of her time in the event as the sole Laurentian women’s golfer to qualify.