11th World University Golf Championship
Torino, Italy - September 5th to 9th, 2006
By and large golfers are very lucky. In fact, by nature their sport takes them to exceptional sites and this was the case again this year as they were welcomed to the "Class 1924" club, one of the handsomest golf courses in the region of Torino and, for that matter in Italy. In the heart of the "La Mandria" Park, just 22 km from downtown Torino, the club belongs to the municipality of Fiano Torinese. Inside the club, everything has been done for golfers’ comfort with nothing to disturb their tranquillity – the buildings have been laid out in such a way that they are all covered with vegetation. This is a must for this golf course.
How can a team be motivated, to be certain that it will be ready on D-day? The best way is to put it in a real situation. This is the philosophy of CUS Torino, one of the branches of the Italian University Sports Federation that has set up the "2004-2007 Project". As you know, Torino, which already organized the Olympic WInter Games in 2006, will be the site of the Winter Universiade in January 2007. With this in mind, the "2004-2007 Project" was created. The idea it is to get the team ready by working together on the organization of a whole series of events culminating in the Universiade. Like the World University Cross-Country Championship, which was part of the programme in 2004, today it is golf's turn. So, the 11th edition of the World University Golf Championship was held in Torino, and to say the least the CUS Torino was ready for it.
Riccardo d'Elicio, President of CUS Torino, of the Organizing Committee for this Championship, and Vice-President of the 2007 Torino Universiade Organizing Committee, was pleased and proud to welcome participants to this golf tournament as he invited them to enjoy the cordiality of his town, Torino, a city where students are among the top priorities.
Hero of the Day
Everything started well for the Italian golfers, as shown by the excellent results of Alberto Campanile who managed a five below par on the first day (par 72), taking the lead for the men just ahead of British Gordon Yates, who also started-off beautifully. The scenario was the same for the ladies as Anna Roscio (ITA), scored three below par in front of Sara Brown (USA). Keeping a cool head is the motto of every self-respecting golfer. And in a four-day tournament any error can be fateful – consistency is often what makes the difference.
So in the second day, the best gradually moved up, and the battle for the men's gold medal would be tough between Japanese Yuta Ikeda and Chiang Chen-Chih from China Taipei. Yuta Ikeda, who fell behind on the first day, caught up beautifully with a magnificent 8 below par on the second day, but was still behind Chiang Chen-Chih who showed very regular results. The two golfers were nose to nose up to the fourth day.
Japan Prevails
So, as is often the case, the last day would be decisive. For Yuta Ikeda, everything was hanging on his performance but this didn’t fluster him, and he did very well with a five below par. Chiang Chen-Chih came in second in front of American Aaron Manning. In the team competition, Japan was also outstanding, for a magnificent double win. The USA took the silver medal and Great Britain the Bronze.
A Second Double Win
Led by Stacy Lewis, as well as Sara Brown and Renee Skidmore, the American women's team did better than the men. After four perfect rounds (72/ 71/ 71/ 72), Stacy Lewis won the individual gold medal ahead of Russian Maria Vertchenova and Japanese Hara Erina. The good performances of her teammates also meant the gold medal for the American team, followed by Japan and Russia. Rendez-vous in 2007, at the Bangkok Summer Universiade where golf will be an optional sport.
Organizing Committee
CUS Torino Via Paolo Braccini 1 10141 Torino Italy Phone: ++(39.011)3808736 Fax: ++(39.011)3825730 e-mail: info@wucgolf2006.com URL: http://www.wucgolf2006.com
FISU Technical Chairman
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