He's one of the newest members of the PGA of BC and soon to be a father, but Oliver Tubb of the Seymour Creek Golf Centre can now add the title of 2014 FlightScope/COBRA PUMA Golf PGA of BC Assistants' Champion to his resume.
Tubb beat his friend, competitor and boss, Bryn Parry, on the first hole of a sudden death playoff by birdieing the 18th hole even though he hit two bunkers. Parry hit a beautiful drive, but pulled his second into the bushes left to give Tubb the advantage that ultimately decided the title. Parry made the playoff by jarring a 14-foot eagle putt on the 18th to match Tubb's two-round score of -4, 140.
Parry started the day a stroke ahead of Tubb, but the two were the last men standing on a windy afternoon at Rivershore that saw first round leader Dave Zibrik of the Capilano Golf & Country Club fall to a three-way tie for second place.
"I'm pretty happy with how I played both days," said Tubb. "It's been quite some time since I played up to the level I expect of myself."
Tubb said he wasn't a bit surprised to see Parry tie him with eagle on the last hole.
"Never a doubt that he'd make it," said Tubb. "And even when I was in the bunker on 18, I figured that I had a pretty good lie and I could get it close to the green or to the front bunker with my 4-iron."
Parry could only watch as Tubb hit his third to 10 feet and with two putts to spare, Tubb calmly stroked in the birdie putt to cash the $3,000 first-prize cheque. Parry receives $1,750 for his efforts while Richard Choi of The Redwoods Golf Course, Sang Hoon (Tony) Kim of Golftown (Richmond) and Zibrik tied at -2, 142 and each take home $1,050.
"It's not fun to lose, but I have so much fun playing against these young guys, whether it be Clapper (Brad Clapp), Greg (Machtaler) or Oliver, who I've gotten to know as a friend and now even better because we work together," said Parry. "Every year, it's a different group of challengers, guys like Oliver and Luke Bogdan and that means I have to keep getting better, I have to keep improving to keep up with these guys."
Tubb wasn't the only PGA of BC Member celebrating at Rivershore, as McCleery Golf Course Professional James Harper shot a second straight round of 69 to win the 2014 PGA of BC Seniors' Championship by two strokes over Dean Claggett of Two Eagles Golf Course & Academy.
Harper had as much as a three-stroke lead over Claggett midway through the round until Claggett made up the entire deficit by the 16th hole. The title would be decided on the 17th hole, the tough par-3 where Claggett couldn't get up and down from the front left bunker while Harper made par. Harper would add some insurance on the 18th by making birdie to win by two strokes.
"I think this is the first PGA of BC title I've won since winning a Pro-Assistant with Tim Tait," said Harper. "What makes it great for me is that I was playing solidly, Dean was playing solid and we were having a great time out there."
Harper credited his wife, Josephine Mirandolle, with not only caddying for him, but supporting him in his golf dreams.
"She's a good caddie because she helps me out with so many things," said Harper. "She caddied for me in Portugal earlier this year when I tried to play European Senior Tour Q-School and I'm very lucky to have her with me."
Harper pockets $1,500 for winning while Claggett takes home $1,100. Coming third and the only other player to break par in the Seniors' Division was Gordon Mink of GolfTown (Langley), who shot rounds of 70 and 71 to finish three strokes back. Mink takes home $900, plus an additional $300 for being the low Super Senior (60 years and older).
For results and payouts from the 2014 FlightScope/COBRA PUMA Golf PGA of BC Assistants' Championship, please click here
For results and payouts from the 2014 PGA of BC Seniors' Championship, please click here