SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
OLIVER, BC (PGA of British Columbia) – Gusts of winds of up to 50 km/h caused havoc for the majority of the field on Monday but it did not deter Shadow Ridge Golf Club Head Professional Mark Kitts from taming Fairview Mountain Golf Club as he holds the first round lead at the 2022 Srixon/Cleveland Golf PGA of BC Club Professional Championship presented by Oakcreek Golf & Turf and Nike Golf.
The 2019 Champion based out of the Kelowna facility finds himself atop the leaderboard after posting an impressive round of 2-under par 70 in difficult conditions. His rounds featured birdies on the 2nd, 5th, 11th and 15th holes, with his only blemish on the day coming on the long par 3 seventh where and errant tee shot led to a double-bogey.
Fairview Mountain Golf Club Head Professional Rob Tadey sits alone in second place, just one stroke back of Kitts after carding 71.
The Penticton-resident’s round got off to a hot start after kick-in birdies on the 3rd and 4th holes and managed to hold on for the remainder of the round after gusty conditions picked up for most of the afternoon.
2018 PGA Head Professional Championship of Canada champion and host Executive Professional Brian McDonald finds himself just two strokes back, currently in a tie for third.
Tadey and McDonald look to become the first host professional to win this event on home soil, since Tony Harris accomplished the feat in 2009 when the Club Professional Championship was hosted at Bear Mountain Golf Resort.
2016 champion Dave Zibrik (Point Grey Golf & Country Club) also sits tied for third at one-over par. Zibrik's round featured five birdies but troubles off the tee on the par 4 sixth resulted in a quadruple bogey for the lefthander. He is currently on a run of four consecutive runner-up finishes in this event, dating back to 2018.
Defending champion Pardraic O’Rourke (The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club) opened his defense with a 4-over par 77, currently in a tie for 11th place.
The field of 45 Club Professionals from all over British Columbia are competing in the 17th running of this event. Players are vying to etch their name in the Dick Munn Memorial trophy and the $2,700 winner’s cheque. The total event purse is set at $14,790.
Club Professionals are defined as PGA members working in the capacity of Head, Executive or Head Teaching Professionals at PGA approved facilities.
The final round will begin at 8:00am, with the leaders set to tee off at 10:20am. CLICK HERE to view complete scoring and Round 2 tee times. Spectators are welcome at Fairview Mountain Golf Club at no cost.
For more information on the 2022 Srixon/Cleveland Golf PGA of BC Club Professional Championship presented by Oakcreek Golf & Turf and Nike Golf including a listing of the full field, please click here.
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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 Hideki Matsuyama, Brooks Koepka, Shane Lowry, Inbee Park, Nasa Hataoka, Minjee Lee, 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 North 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. Visit Srixon, Cleveland Golf & XXIO online to learn more.
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 www.oakcreekgolf.com.
About NIKE Inc.
NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Converse, a wholly-owned NIKE, Inc. subsidiary brand, designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. Nike Golf is distributed in Canada by the Mint Green Group. Click here for more information.
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For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
Donald Miyazaki
Executive Director, PGA of BC
(604) 723-2247
donald@pgabc.org