JUNE 14, 2022
HARRISON MILLS, BC (PGA of British Columbia) – Mother Nature played a pivotal role at Sandpiper Golf Course but that did not deter 108 total players from competing for crowns in the 2022 PGA of BC Assistants' & Seniors' Championships presented by Arbor Memorial in Harrison Mills, BC.
Throughout the course of the 36-hole competition, varying winds, inclimate weather, and below-seasonal temperatures challenged players on the Russ Olsen-designed course. Monday’s first round saw a rain delay for players in the afternoon draw, which halted play for approximately 45-miuntes while crews cleared greens of standing water and debris. Tuesday’s final round featured less than desirable temperatures, but soft conditions that yielded lower scores for the field of 72 Assistants and 36 Seniors.
The battle to crown the 2022 Assistants’ Champion came down to a sudden death playoff after Chilliwack Golf Club’s Zach Olson and Modern Golf Vancouver's Cory Renfrew found themselves tied at 8-under par after 36-holes of regulation.
The playoff began on the par 5 first hole, where Olson’s tee shot found trees to the left while Renfrew’s drive found the right half of the fairway. After watching Olson lay-up, Renfrew pulled his second shot into trouble and the difficulties continued after finally hitting his fourth from the green-side bunker onto the green. Following a wedge to the green for this third, Olson went on to drain the 20-foot birdie putt to take the title.
“It feels great to finally get the job done” says the 2021 PGA of BC Championship and PGA of BC Assistants’ Championship runner-up. “Last year, I was always sniffing around PGA of BC events and knew my game was close but to get it done here in the valley and in a playoff makes it a lot sweeter”.
Olson had hit all 18 greens in regulation on his final round, which saw him have two putts for the win on the 36th hole. The downhill 20-footer carried too much speed and got away from him, which then caused him to miss the four-footer coming back. The bogey on 18 was his only blemish of the day.
Meanwhile, Renfrew was first to post 8-under after blistering Sandpiper Golf Course on Tuesday. His tournament-low round of 8-under par 64 was highlighted by eight birdies and no bogeys. His round was only one off Sandpiper Golf Course's competitive course record of 63.
“I got off to a good start, going 4 under through the first 5 holes. I just tried to play smart but aggressive where I could. I hit it pretty close all day so I didn’t have to make many long ones to keep the round going” he said.
Renfrew’s only trouble of the day came on the difficult par 4 17th when his wayward second shot found temporary water left, near an inactive airport runway. After procedure for free relief, Renfrew wedged his 40 yards pitch to 10 feet and made the putt for par to keep his blemish-free round going.
“The save on 17 was a big moment for me and that putt felt really good to make”.
For his win, Olson takes home the championship trophy and the $3,000 first place prize. Renfrew cashes $1,750 for his runner-up efforts. Luke Bogdan (Cheam Mountain Golf Course) and Steven Lecuyer (Seymour Creek Golf Centre) both finished at six-under par to share third place and cash $1,125 each. Rounding out the top 5 are 2021 Assistants’ Champion Conner Kozak (The Okanagan Golf Club) and 2021 PGA of BC Champion Jake Scarrow (Gorge Vale Golf Club), both settled at five-under par, a tie for fifth place and $850 each.
The PGA of BC Assistants' Championship is open to all members serving in roles other than Head, Executive or Head Teaching Professional within the Association.
Meanwhile for the Seniors’ Championship title, Doug Morgan (Richmond Country Club) etched his name in the Ben Colk trophy for the second time of his career, following rounds of 71-72 and a two round total of one-under par. He was the only player to finish in red figures.
“It was boring golf out there for me out there today” said Morgan. “I made lots of pars and played steady all day long. I finally made a bomb on the 17th hole for only my second birdie of the day but it was nice to watch that 35-footer drop” he added.
The Richmond Country Club Class “A” Professional claimed the titled over four players who shared runner-up honours. Daryl Stubbs (Pacific Golf Academy), Brett Burgeson (Breaking Par Golf Academy), Keith Vandenbrink (Vernon Golf & Country Club) and overnight leader Eddward Boudreau (Gorge Vale Golf Club) all finished just one shot back, at even par.
Morgan won his first Seniors’ title in 2017 at Salmon Arm Golf Club in his first year of eligibility to contest for the championship.
For his win, he takes home the Ben Colk trophy and the $1,800 first place cheque, while Stubbs, Boudreau, Burgeson, and Vandenbrink all cash $875 for their runner-up efforts.
The PGA of BC Seniors' Championship is open to any member of the association aged 50 or older at the start of competition.
As scoring improved for the majority of players on Tuesday, Sandpiper Golf Course also yielded three hole-in-ones. Capilano Golf & Country Club’s Dakota Chase achieved the feat at the difficult 196-yard Par 3 3rd hole while later that afternoon, Vandenbrink did the same from the 180-yard senior championship tees. Later in the day, Craig Titterington (Lago Golf Academy) aced the short 112-yard par 3 7th, which marks his second hole-in-one during competition play at Sandpiper.
Despite the unseasonable weather conditions, the talk of the tournament was the quality of the golf course over both days. The PGA of BC thanks General Manager Ted Swain, Superintendent Brandon Baber, Head Professional Trevor West and the entire team of staff and volunteers at the club for their outstanding hospitality.
Further thanks go to presenting sponsors Arbor Memorial for its continued support of these championships and their on-site presence and a prize draw for competitors on Monday.
CLICK HERE for final scoring for both the Assistants' & Seniors' Championships.
---
About Arbor Memorial Inc.
Arbor Memorial is a trusted family-owned Canadian company with deep roots in diverse communities across the country. Established in 1947, Arbor has more than 130 locations, and 24 of our cemeteries have full-service funeral homes on premises, offering complete service to our families. With more than 2,500 dedicated and highly-trained staff, Arbor has solidified itself as a standard-bearer in the industry, with a long history of excellence and strategic growth. It is our privilege to provide expert guidance and customized services that help families honour, respect and celebrate loved ones. Click here to visit Arbor Memorial online and learn more about its available services and locations.
---
For more information and media inquiries, please contact:
Donald Miyazaki
Executive Director, PGA of BC
604.303.6766
donald@pgabc.org