Excerpt courtesy Josh Aldrich, Camrose Canadian
Inside the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association, the name Michael Harrison is well known as a two time all-Canadian. [Last weekend] the rest of the Canadian post-secondary scene found out who he is.
The University of Alberta-Augustana golfer finished in a tie for eleventh with Kyle Claggett and Zach Olson of the University of Fraser Valley at the Canadian University/College Championships in Chilliwack, B.C.
"I'm very happy to represent Augustana at that level, make the cut and finish that way," he said. "There's a lot of people who supported me so I could go and play that event, so to take advantage of the opportunity that was given, it's probably not something that will happen again because I am running out of years of eligibility here. It was a great week, I'm very happy with it."
At the very least his performance helps put the Augustana golf program on national map. His Vikings golf bag was the talk of the tournament, garnering questions from Golf Canada officials and fellow competitors about the school.
"Just to get to tell everyone about the school and what I am taking there, it gives you a sense of pride that even though we come from a small town and a small program we are still able to put together a strong program," said Harrison.
That program has a strong history of producing all-Canadians, including two this year in Harrison and Braeden Clarkson, and consistently is one of the better programs in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference.
The reigning ACAC men's golfer of the year's weekend did not get off to a good start. He opened with a one-over-73 and a three-over-75 in the first two rounds. His tournament turned on Saturday with the arrival of his coach Bill Penny and shooting a four-under-68 to tie for the single best round of the day. He closed the weekend with a one-under-75 to finish with a 1-under-287 for the championship.
This early season success could potentially set up a big summer for Harrison who will be playing the Alberta Open in Calgary and the Alberta Men's Amateur in Nisku at Red Tail with the goal of qualifying for the Canadian Men's Amateur Championship at Duncan Meadows and Pheasant Glen on Vancouver Island.