JUNE 6, 2017
SALMON ARM, BC (PGA of British Columbia) -- The PGA of BC Assistants’ Championship presented by PowerSwing & Irene Strong, Mortgage Professional saw Bryn Parry capture the tournament title for a fifth time Tuesday at Salmon Arm Golf Club.
Parry wasn’t the only proven player who was triumphant Tuesday, as Doug Morgan won the PGA of BC Senior’s Championship presented by PowerSwing & Irene Strong, Mortgage Professional while playing the event for a first time.
Parry (Point Grey Golf & Country Club) shared the 18-hole lead with defending champ Oliver Tubb (University Golf Club) but managed to open up a three-stroke advantage on the back side. He then held on for a 1-over 73 to beat Tubb and Kevin Stinson (Cheam Mountain Golf Course) by a single shot at 5-under-par.
Parry’s five victories in the event are the most by any player in the modern era, two more than longtime Capilano Golf & Country Club Professional Gerry Chatelain.
“It feels great to win another one,” said Parry, who also collected a cheque for $3,000. “Oliver and Kevin are both great players and they didn’t make it easy.”
Parry said the venue made the victory extra special for him, as he shot his first-ever under-par round as a youngster at Salmon Arm Golf Club, while his mother lives in nearby Blind Bay.
Tubb briefly held the lead on the front side, but a two-shot swing at the par-5 eighth hole ultimately put Parry back in front for good.
“It was good to be in contention,” said the two-time winner of the Assistants’ Championship, who had a birdie putt on 18 that could have forced a playoff. “That putt on 18 meant something … but a little too sloppy for me in the middle of the round.”
Playing his sixth round of tournament golf in as many days, having come directly from the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada event that wrapped up Sunday, Stinson got to within a shot of the lead early in his round Tuesday but was never able to pull himself into the lead.
Cody Bell (Sunset Ranch Golf & Country Club), who is originally from Salmon Arm, finished fourth at 3-under, following his 70 from Round 1 with a 71 on Tuesday. He and Stinson were the only two players to break par in both rounds.
Luke Bogdan went on an early charge Tuesday with seven birdies in his first 10 holes. However, he would go 3-over the rest of the way to settle for a fifth-place finish at 2-under-par.
Tim Wilson (Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club) had the low round of the day with a 4-under 68 that moved him up into a tie for 10th at 3-over.
Click here to view final results from the Assistants' Championship.
In the Senior’s Championship, Morgan (Richmond Country Club) and Roy Abbenbroek (Seymour Golf & Country Club) battled back and forth on the front nine Tuesday after starting the day in a three-way tie for the lead. But Morgan managed to outlast the field by posting an even-par round of 72 on the day, taking home the Ben Colk Trophy and a cheque for $1,500.
Morgan was already one of the Association’s most successful members in championship events with multiple previous victories, including the PGA of BC Championship in 2009 and 2010. Having recently turned 50 to become eligible for the Senior’s Championship, Morgan said he was thrilled to get his name on another PGA of BC trophy.
“It was fun playing with these guys,” said Morgan. “This is a tough group to beat.”
Abbenbroek led by two shots after seven holes Tuesday but fell back into a three-way tie for second place at 5-over, joined by Murray Poje (Tsawwassen Springs) and Norm Jarvis (Nico Wynd Golf Club).
“I relish being in the hunt,” he said. “Dougie and I are friends and we were so close the whole day.”
With the victory, Morgan also earns an exemption into the Tuesday qualifier for the Pacific Links Bear Mountain Championship, a PGA Tour Champions event that takes place in Victoria in September.
“I’ll be hitting the gym for the next little while,” Morgan laughed.
Jarvis and Abbenbroek also shared the Super Senior title, each earning a $100 bonus.
Click here for final results from the Senior's Championship.
About PowerSwing
PowerSwing is an advanced, sport-specific core trainer built for professional athletes and trainers to increase core power and performance in virtually all sports, including golf, hockey, baseball and tennis. The PowerSwing was invented by Ross and Bruce MacDonald as a means to target specific muscle groups critical to the world’s biggest sports. In one simple exercise, the PowerSwing targets all core muscles essential to increasing athlete performance. For more information, visit www.mypowerswing.com.
About Irene Strong, Mortgage Professional
Irene Strong’s diverse background in marketing, event planning, logistics and account management has been the foundation of her a client-focused, Strong Mortgage Promise – a promise to provide consistent, reliable and relevant mortgage advice while connecting clients to an all-star real estate team and developing a mortgage investment plan that is customized to their lifestyle. As part of the Xeva Brokerage team, Irene is committed to its vision to become one of the largest, most competitive, recognizable National Mortgage companies in Canada (within the Verico® Network), while operating at the highest degree of professionalism, excellence and ethical standards. For more information, visit www.irenestrong.com.
About PGA of BC
The Professional Golfers' Association of British Columbia is an association comprised of nearly 700 golf professionals who work at and operate golf courses, driving ranges and other facilities across the province. Its mandate is to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The Zone Office is located in Richmond, BC. For more information, visit www.pgabc.org.
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eric@pgabc.org