Courtenay, B.C. - (July 25, 2012) - Brad Clapp continues his impressive play this season, going wire to wire to capture the 2012 Titleist / FootJoy PGA of BC Championship at Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community.
Clapp claims his first PGA of BC Championship, shooting a three round total of 12-under par (65-66-73=204), edging out local-native Kevin Maxwell (72-64-72 = 208) by four strokes. Maxwell, who now calls Olympic View Golf Club in Victoria home, mounted a tremendous final round charge to get as close as one shot to Clapp's original five stroke lead, but a couple miscues late and a couple long putts from the 25-year old cemented Clapp's title.
Clapp never trailed in the event to capture the Provincial title. The Chilliwack Golf & Country Club professional continues his hot streak in PGA of BC events, winning his third Championship in two years. Clapp was on the winning team in the inaugural PGA of BC Pro-Pro Championship last fall, and recently claimed the PGA of BC Assistants' Championship only six weeks ago at Vernon Golf & Country Club, where he blew the field away with a nine-stroke victory.
"Today's round was quite a battle", stated Clapp as he hoisted the trophy, "I holed quite a few putts, including two long ones, and I'm glad it was enough to win".
"I was disappointed to see my lead drop to one stroke, but kudos to Max for playing so well and applying the pressure".
Maxwell trimmed Clapp's five stroke lead down to one as they walked towards the 13th tee, but he found a fairway bunker and had to lay up which led to a bogey. Clapp reached the green in regulation and proceeded to drain a 40-foot snake for birdie to regain a three-stroke lead heading to the 14th hole.
After back-to-back birdies for Clapp and a par for Maxwell, the lead returned to four strokes. Sticking with his game plan, Clapp chose his trustworthy driver from the tee box, only to push his drive and find out-of-bounds. A double-bogey against Maxwell's par, the lead was back to two.
On the par three 16th, Maxwell watched Clapp roll in another 30-foot bomb for birdie and missed his 12-foot birdie to match and the lead was three with two holes to go. After both bogeying the 17th hole and matching pars on 18, the Championship trophy and $5000 winner's check was presented to Clapp. Maxwell earned $3,750 for the runner-up finish.
Defending Champion Lindsay Bernakevitch from Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club made a valiant effort to catch the leaders; however, a costly double bogey on the par three 16th dropped him out of contention, and he finished solo third earning $3,000.
The Championship had additional meaning for those in the field who were Club Professionals. The top 17 finishers qualify for the 2012 PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada, held November 18-21 at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Additionally, the top four will represent Team British Columbia in the Inter-zone matches, and this team will be represented by Kevin Maxwell, Rob Anderson (Kelowna Golf & Country Club), Jason Andrew (Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community), and Kevin Black (Seven Hills Golf & Country Club).
Special thanks goes to Titleist and FootJoy Canada for their continued sponsorship of the event, as well as the entire Community of Crown Isle for their involvement in hosting the Championship.
Click here for the top finishers and earnings of the 2012 Titleist/FootJoy PGA of BC Championship.
Full list of winners to be released shortly.
For further information, contact:
Bryan McNair
Events Manager
PGA of British Columbia
P. 604.303.6766 C. 604.690.8463