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Christina Spence of Cobble Hill, B.C. headed the efforts of the University of Victoria (UVIC) squad in their quest to become the first team other than the University of British Columbia (UBC) to take home first place honours in the women’s team competition.

Spence fired a four-day total 297, which included an even-par 71 - the low women’s round of the event - to help vault her squad and herself into top spot in both the team and individual competitions.

Winning isn’t new to Spence, who also captured the 2006 BC Women’s Amateur title, but the 25-year old Law major was bashful about capturing her second individual title in as many years.

“This is definitely a bonus from last year,” said Spence. “Winning this event has been our team’s goal the entire year. What a great day for the entire University of Victoria golf program.”

Spence’s teammates played key roles in the win. Anne Balser of Digby, N.S., Kristen Chew of Vancouver, Alison Quinlan of Victoria, B.C. and Kenzie Janzen of Duncan, B.C. played terrific golf to compile a team-total 1232 and put themselves a slender four-strokes ahead of rival UBC who finished second.

Rounding out the top three was Humber College, marking the first time their women’s squad has cracked the top three spots in the event’s six year history.

Marianne Banton of Washington, D.C., finished second in the women’s individual competition after firing a four-round total 309, while Bev Peel of Schomberg, Ont. finished third with a four-round total 310.

On the men’s side, University of British Columbia (UBC) captured their first team title with the help of solid play by Richmond, B.C. native Andrew Robb who carded a four-round total 280 to take medalist honors.

“I did my best to contribute to the team and make sure each shot count,” said Robb. “It’s a pretty amazing feeling to finish off the season on such a high.”

All UBC competitors were integral in the men’s team win including Sean Hurley of Harbour, N.S., Cory Renfrew of Victoria, B.C., Blake Rowe-Sleeman of Coquitlam, B.C. and David Stewart of Prince Albert, Sask.

Robb, with the help of his UBC teammates, compiled an impressive four-round total 1137 to put themselves a respectable 21-strokes ahead of the UVIC men’s team who finished second with a total 1158. A mere eight-strokes back of second place UVIC was Université Laval who finished with a team-total 1166.

As a 20-year old Music major with professional singing experience Robb has a bright music career ahead of him. Having already sung at numerous Vancouver Canuck home games and with some of Canada’s top orchestras Robb is no stranger to the limelight, but as a past National Junior Team member hopes his play this week will help his chances of being included on next years National Men’s Amateur Team.

Mathieu Gingras of Moncton, N.B. finished second two-strokes back of Robb after carding a four-round total 282, while Geoff McLeod of Toronto finished third with a total 283.

As part of the RCGA’s Pathway to Champions, Robb and Spence earned exemptions into the Canadian Men's Amateur Championship held August 10-14, 2008 at Paradise Canyon Golf Resort in Lethbridge, Alb., and the Royale Cup Canadian Women's Amateur Championship held July 28-August 1 at Elmhurst Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg respectively.

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