Robert Fisher
Staff Reporter
BARRY’S BAY – Twins Wanda Brown and Wenda Recoskie (née Maika) grew up in Combermere and recently competed in a national golf championship, the RBC PGA Scramble of Canada, on Cape Breton island in Nova Scotia, finishing as the top women’s team among 20 teams at the final. The team finished as the fourth overall in a field with only two all-female teams.
Neither played golf as a youth growing up in Combermere. Wanda became involved in her 40s and Wenda in her 30s. Wanda’s husband bought her lessons and, “I was like, ‘oh, really? lessons in golf.’” She fell in love with the game and, “I can’t say enough about it.” Wenda was looking for something to do recreationally, some sports to play, “so I picked up golf and curling. I love to golf,” she enthused.
The team of four; the two others being Mary Hanna and Kathy Smithson – Smithson coming in for the final after another teammate had to bow out – got to play in Nova Scotia after making their way through regional and provincial tournaments. They had to wait after provincials to see if they would move on because they didn’t finish among the top teams and managed to secure a wildcard berth based on their score against other teams across the country. At the provincial level, a PGA of Canada professional joined each team, making them a fivesome. The same pro, Caleb Ellis, played with them at the national tournament, too. The nationals took place Oct. 5-9 and the three-round tournament saw the sisters’ team in top spot after round one. They played out of Rockway Vineyards Golf Club in St. Catharines.
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