In a competition between two of the Pacific Northwest's top golf programs, Simon Fraser University and the University of the Fraser Valley, it was ultimately the weather that won the day.  In the first edition of the Fraser Cup, SFU Men's golf emerged with the team win after a commanding round 1 performance and round 2 canceled due to cold, frost, and snow.
 
The first edition of the Fraser Cup, saw SFU compete with UFV in Head-to-Head Medal play matches.  The Redleafs hosted round one competition at Meadow Gardens Golf Club. 

"We are extremely fortunate to have the support of Meadow Gardens Golf Club. Curtis Baldwin, Craig Barr and the entire Meadow Gardens team go above and beyond to support amateur golf in our province and especially their unwavering support of SFU Golf. Our knowledge of the course certainly gave us a huge advantage" said SFU Head Coach, Matt Steinbach.
 
Home course advantage played a large factor for the Red Leafs who took day one matches by a score of 5-2. Frigid temperatures, rain, hail, and extreme wind made scoring a premium, especially with tees tipped out to 7041 yards on the challenging layout.  Leading the way for SFU was freshman Justin Bjornson who carded the low round of the day with an even par 72.  Ryan Hodgins 73 and Michael Crisologo 74 rounded out the low three individual scores for the day and secured wins for the Redleafs. 

Reflecting on how he managed to post his stellar round, Justin Bjornson shared "I was relentlessly positive.  I limited my negative self-talk; I chose to have a joyous perspective that allowed me to embrace the conditions and control what was in my control"
 
Day two of the Fraser Cup was due to be hosted at Chilliwack Golf & Country Club.  Frost and below zero temperatures forced the cancelation of play on Monday and SFU emerged as the winner in the shortened event.
 
The Fraser Cup replicates the NCAA Division II Finals format with players from each team going head-to-head in an 18 hole stroke play format.  The lowest 18 hole total wins the match. "After last season's historic run to NCAA National finals, and advancing to Head-to-head matches, we recognized we needed more reps in this unique format" shared Steinbach. "Our friends at UFV were excited to partner with us for these matches and we were happy to kick off the first Fraser Cup.  We hope to build this event into an annual competition and look forward to next year's competition.
 
Recap of Matches
Match 1 - Kyle Mayner (SFU) wins over Jacob Armstrong (UFV)
Match 2 – Michael Crisologo (SFU) wins over Ben Whitton (UFV)
Match 3 – Logan Boucher (SFU) loses to Mac Smith (UFV)
Match 4 – Brendan O'Brien (SFU) Hayden Prive (UFV)
Match 5 – Denby Carswell (SFU) loses to Jackson Jacob (UFV)
Match 6 – Justin Bjornson (SFU) wins over Eli Greene (UFV)
Match 7 – Ryan Hodgins (SFU) wins over Andrew Biggar (UFV)
 
On the women's side, individual stroke play competition among seven SFU and UFV competitors saw Redleaf Freshman Claire Dubois take individual honours with a gritty 78, highlighted by a one over par back nine finish.
 
SFU Women's golf are currently competing in the California State East Bay Tim Tierney Shootout, with play completing on Tuesday, February 27.  SFU Men's golf returns to action at East Bay from March 10-12.