It's been several years since Doug Morgan last hoisted a PGA of British Columbia trophy, but he hasn't forgotten how to win. Morgan, Head Professional at The Redwoods Golf Course in Langley BC, today won the 2014 Cleveland Golf / Srixon Canada PGA of BC Club Professional Championship presented by Club Car, to add to the PGA of BC Championship titles he won in 2009 and 2010.
Morgan birdied the seventeenth hole at Seymour Golf & Country Club to push his lead to three strokes over Kevin Maxwell of Olympic View Golf Club, and four over Bill Kelly of Glacier Greens Golf Course, allowing some breathing room on the last. A safe par on the long 18th put the finishing touches on a final round even-par 72, good enough to take the title.
"I played well coming down the stretch," said Morgan "I made a great putt on fourteen (to take the lead) and then gave myself chances at fifteen and sixteen. The birdie on seventeen was a nice cushion, then on eighteen I just played safe for par, taking the left side out of play."
Morgan finished at -3 (141) after a 69 yesterday - the only player in the field to finish under par on a damp, long, Seymour Golf & Country Club. Morgan missed only five fairways in two rounds, a significant advantage over those forced to play from Seymour's thick, wet, rough.
Maxwell, who held the first round lead at the PGA of BC Championship in August, closed with a +2 (74) to tie for second at even par. A birdie on the fourteenth would allow him to briefly grab a share of the lead, but it would disappear moments later when Morgan matched to retain his advantage. Maxwell would be unable to match Morgan's solid play on the last four holes. Playing partner and friend Bill Kelly contended throughout the day as well, and shared the lead through thirteen holes. Late bogeys would sink Kelly's chances for the title, but he would finish with a birdie at the eighteenth to join Maxwell in second, closing with a +1 (73) for his even par total.
Derek Thornley of Fraserview Golf Course finished alone in fourth place, firing rounds of 74-72 to finish at +2 overall. Thornley finished three shots ahead of Victoria Golf Club's Lindsay Bernakevitch, who made an early charge but could not sustain the pace. Bernakevitch would finish alone in fifth, at +5.
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