SEPTEMBER 24, 2019
KELOWNA, BC (PGA of British Columbia) – Blustery conditions couldn’t stop Mark Kitts of Shadow Ridge Golf Club from capturing the 2019 Srixon/Cleveland Golf/XXIO PGA of BC Club Professional Championship presented by Oakcreek Golf & Turf at Kelowna Golf & Country Club.
Playing in his first Club Professional Championship, the first-year head professional began Tuesday’s second round two shots back of overnight leader Philip Jonas (Philip Jonas Golf Academy) but battled the elements and a sold-out field of 47 other players to finish the tournament at seven-under par to cap-off a one-shot victory and capture the Dick Munn Memorial trophy.
Kitts, who played the two-round tournament without any bogeys, shot rounds of 68 and 69 to claim the $2,700 first place cheque from the $15,000 Championship purse.
“The key to my tournament was not making any bogeys through these two days” said the Kelowna golf professional. “I started off with a birdie on the first and thought this was going to be an easy day but then had to wait 15 holes to make my second” he added after speaking on the importance of patience through tough conditions.
“I saw the leaderboard on the 16th tee and saw it was going to be close coming down the stretch. Then I saw that Brad (Clapp) drop a couple shots on 16 and 17 and knew that I had a chance with a birdie at the last” he adds.
Sitting greenside in two on the par 5 18th, he hit a great pitch from the thick rough to a couple of feet and knocked it in for the the Championship victory.
Kitts has been on somewhat of a hot streak, having collected a top-five finish at the 2019 PGA of BC Championship just last month at Whistler Golf Club where he earned himself a spot to represent the BC Zone at the upcoming PGA Head Professional Championship of Canada in early December at Arizona’s Wigwam Golf Resort. The championship comes timely as he and wife Andrea are expecting their second child in early October.
A late back-nine charge of three birdies in the closing five was one-shot short for 2016 Champion and head professional at Point Grey Golf & Country Club, Dave Zibrik. Zibrik shot rounds of 68 and 70 to earn $2,000 for his efforts. Brad Clapp (Cultus Lake Golf Club) and Jonas each finished at 5-under par, two shots back to round out the top 3 and each earn $1,275.
Please click here to view final results
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About Srixon/Cleveland Golf/XXIO
Based in Huntington Beach, Calif., Cleveland® Golf, Srixon®, and XXIO® are all part of the SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD. Family and each brand enjoys a strong presence on competitive tours worldwide. Their professional staffs include players such as Graeme McDowell, Keegan Bradley, Hideki Matsuyama, Inbee Park, as well as many others. Cleveland® Golf, founded in 1979, is a leading equipment manufacturer specializing in short game technologies and solutions that benefit all golfers. Srixon®, with more than 80 years of golf ball manufacturing experience, is committed to producing the highest quality, technically innovative golf balls which offer maximum performance to golfers of all levels of ability. XXIO®, with its longstanding tradition of premium golf clubs in Japan, brings the No. 1 golf brand in Japan to America. Cleveland® Golf, Srixon®, and XXIO® remain steadfastly committed to providing “Tour proven, premium golf equipment to passionate golfers seeking to improve their performance while enhancing their experience playing the game of golf.” Please visit Srixon, Cleveland Golf and XXIO online.
About Oakcreek Golf & Turf LP
Oakcreek Golf & Turf LP is Western Canada’s full-service distributor of Toro Commercial Turf Care Equipment, Toro Golf Irrigation Equipment and Yamaha Golf Cars, plus all additional related products. It proudly offers the very best quality products and professional service and support to golf courses, municipal parks, independent landscapers and private clients. Oakcreek Golf & Turf LP has been in business since 1969 and currently employs approximately 100 people throughout the year at its six locations throughout Western Canada. For more information, visit oakcreekgolf.com.
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For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
Donald Miyazaki
Executive Director, PGA of BC
(604) 303-6766
eric@pgabc.org