After a competitive two-day tournament at the OUA golf championships, McMaster's Kavith Ranchagoda wins silver with an impressive individual score
The OUA men's golf tournament began on Oct. 5 and the Marauders men’s team finished fifth place. Kavith Ranchagoda, however, stood out with an exceptional scores of -2 on day one and +3 on day two and tied for second place overall.
“I just wanted to go out there and prove to myself that I could still compete at a really high level. I haven’t been competing much in the past two years, so it was great to get that competitive bug out of me” said Ranchagoda.
Ranchagoda, a fourth-year software engineering student, won the OUA championship with the Marauders in 2022. Although he did not compete in 2023, he felt confident going into this year.
“Right before the tournament, I knew where my game was at - it was at a really solid spot in my mind,” said Ranchagoda.
Despite the Marauder men’s team not finishing in the top three, he was glad he could share the green with a familiar face from a previous season, Nicholas Dessureault.
“Coming into this season, we had one member of the old championship team left, Nicolas Dessureault. My first thought was "I’d love to get one last ride with him and get our team in a good spot,"" said Ranchagoda.
“Coming into this season, we had one member of the old championship team left, Nicolas Dessureault. My first thought was "I’d love to get one last ride with him and get our team in a good spot.""
Kavith Ranchagoda, fourth-year software engineering student Marauder's men's golf team
Ranchagoda said it was his father who introduced the sport to him. Even at a young age, he was often at the driving range. “We didn’t really have babysitting, so bringing me to the course was my babysitting,” said Ranchagoda.
He still remembers his first tournament, in which he competed at six years old. “I still remember finishing dead last and seeing the young kids laughing at my score. As a young kid seeing that, it added fuel to the fire,” said Ranchagoda.
Ranchagoda noted that while his first few years of competition were rough, he stayed confident and persistent and the results paid off. He won his first medal at eight years old and he’s been on a roll since then.
Looking for inspiration, Ranchagoda often reflects on golfers like Rory McIlroy. Mcllroy, who isn’t the tallest guy on the green, makes up for his size by being one of the longest hitters in the game. “I’m not a tall guy myself, but to see a guy who isn't the tallest but still can whack it a mile is pretty cool,” said Ranchagoda.
Once he graduates, Ranchagoda has his sights set on coaching golf, having already done so since the pandemic. But more than anything, Ranchagoda will always be a competitor at heart. “I love winning not as much as I hate losing … that’s that competitive bug in me ... I’m always going to continue competing throughout my career,” said Ranchagoda
After a surprising return to McMaster, Nicolas Dessureault will be completing his final year on the McMaster golf team as he looks to help his teammates and finish strong
During his time at McMaster, Nicolas Dessureault has been a key figure on the McMaster men’s golf team. One of his most notable moments was his performance in the team’s 2022 Ontario University Athletics title win, which saw him shoot much under par helping his team to secure the title.
As Dessureault finished his fifth year of undergraduate studies last year he was unsure of whether he would be returning to McMaster. But the 2024 golf season has seen him return to OUA golf, in his sixth and final year of eligibility.
“So I'm in my sixth year at McMaster, so I did 5 years in undergrad. I did finance with the commerce program and then now I'm doing a one-year master's in financial math. Quite an old guy on the team.” said Dessureault.
The team has also acquired a new head coach. Long time coach John Najev stepped down at the beginning of the season with Ben McFaul replacing him. “We actually have a new coach as well. The players and the coach are kind of asking me a lot of questions, looking for guidance there, which I am happy to provide,” said Dessureault.
We actually have a new coach as well. The players and the coach are kind of asking me a lot of questions, looking for guidance there, which I am happy to provide.
Nicolas Dessureault, golfer McMaster men's golf team
As Dessureault has settled into this season, he has already made a great performance. He helped the team secure a medal at a Queen’s University showcase, where the team finished in third place overall. Individually, he completed the course at a par of 70 strokes, tying for third place with three other golfers.
Along with Dessureault's veteran skills, there is returning player Matthew Martel alongside him who played with Dessureault last year. Other new and returning players have stepped up this current season.
“There's just so many good players. I think Liam Fernie is a good guy. I think he's one of the guys I can step up in, especially from a leadership standpoint. He's in his second year so he's got a couple more years on the team and I really like his attitude. But you know, there's a good group,” said Dessureault.
As the team continues with their season, they will participate in the Guelph Gryphon's invitational on Sept. 28 before attending the OUA championships from Oct. 4 until Oct. 6.
“This is one where you kind of would like to perform well and would love to win it [the OUA championship] again, but obviously the goal there for us right now I think is just to be what makes nationals. That's the main goal,” said Dessureault.
Along with having aspiring to make this year’s national tournament, Dessureault wants to leave his teammates with wisdom he's gained over his years of playing golf for McMaster.
“I think what I want to leave is, and kind of how I played the last couple years, is just I want to just make sure you have fun. You're here to have fun, don't take it too seriously. Obviously try your best but really have fun and enjoy the moment. It's my last year and before I know it, it's going to be done and it'll be September next year, and I'm going to remember the days when I was playing OUA golf, and now I'm not,” said Dessureault.
I think what I want to leave is and kind of how I played the last couple years is just I want to just make sure you have fun like you're here to have fun . . . try your best but really have fun and enjoy the moment.
Nicolas Dessureault, golfer McMaster men's golf team
Before Dessureault can fully reminisce on his McMaster golf career, he will have to compete in the OUA championships. He aims to capture another OUA title, rounding out a great career at McMaster.
During another great weekend of golf for McMaster, Nicolas Dessureault secured second place on the podium
The McMaster University golf team began their fall season on a high note, winning a silver medal at the McMaster Invitational.
After a successful previous season, Nicolas Dessureault returned for his fifth and final season of golf with McMaster. Last year, Dessureault was able to clinch the Ontario University Athletics title for McMaster for the first time in 18 years.
This season, Dessureault looks to continue bringing in good results for the team. Dessureault has already delivered on this, continuing his streak after a phenomenal performance in the McMaster Invitational at the Chippewa Creek Golf and Country Club.
He captured his first individual gold medal of the 2023 season after a great round, finishing four below par overall on the course and five points below the competition's silver medalist.
While reflecting on the season ahead, Dessureault emphasized the importance of the team component of the game. University golf has four golfers per team, where they compete as both individual athletes and as a team with an average score across golfers to place for medals.
“I think the group of guys this year has been really good. We want to play well for each other, it's one last year together . . . I think I’ve had good groups in my tournaments which has helped me stay where I need to be to perform. To get a bad group can really ruin your round, so I think I’ve been lucky,” said Dessureault.
I think the group of guys this year has been really good. We want to play well for each other, it's one last year together . . . I think I’ve had good groups in my tournaments which has helped me stay where I need to be to perform. To get a bad group can really ruin your round, so I think I’ve been lucky.
Nicolas Dessureault, golf player
With great golfers, including Matthew Martel, Micheal Guyatt and Jack Dool, also on the team, Dessureault wants to perform for both himself and his team this year. He also hopes to inspire younger golfers on the roster to try their hardest and learn the significance of working as a team within the sport of golf.
He also hopes to inspire younger golfers on the roster to try their hardest and learn the significance of working as a team within the sport of golf.
“I think team golf is different from individual . . . When you have a team, every shot really matters a lot more . . . That's what I tell the freshman is even if you have a bad round, the current shot could really matter,” said Dessureault.
