MAY 28, 2018
KAMLOOPS, BC (PGA of British Columbia) - Northview Golf Academy’s entry into the 2018 PGA of BC Tournament of Champions presented by Thunderbolt Sign & VIP Golf put together perhaps the most convincing victory the event has ever seen in its 16-year history.
Head Teaching Professional Matthew Palsenbarg and amateur partner Jake Scarrow combined for a 10-under-par 62 Monday at Tobiano Golf Course to win the event by a whopping six strokes.
The Tournament of Champions is a unique event that sees a PGA of BC Club Professional team up with a club champion or other designated amateur from their facility to compete in best-ball format over 18 holes.
Palsenbarg and Scarrow recorded eight birdies and an eagle on their day, matching the tournament-record 62 recorded by last year’s winning team from Victoria Golf Club, while also setting the new tournament record relative to par.
“We definitely took advantage of the great course conditions out there today,” said Palsenbarg. “We started a little easygoing, and the guys we played with (from Bear Mountain Resort Community) definitely inspired us to get going because they were making birdies early. We just started making putts ... and made more than our fair share.”
Palsenbarg earned $1,000 for the win while Scarrow took home the top amateur prize -- a set of TaylorMade P790 irons.
The Bear Mountain team of Justin Ford and Rob Olson paired with Northview Golf Academy on Monday wound up in a tie for second place, as their 4-under 68 matched fellow runners-up Jason Giesbrecht and Kevin Carrigan of Royal Colwood Golf Club. Six teams finished in a tie for fourth place at 2-under.
Scarrow, the 2015 BC Junior Boys Champion who is now a member of the University of Kansas Jayhawks men’s golf team, said the best-ball format set up perfectly for himself and Palsenbarg.
“I think me and Matt both play an aggressive style of golf - hit a lot of drivers and have a lot of looks at birdies,” said Scarrow. “We capitalized, especially late in the round coming in, with three (birdies) in the last four there, so definitely best-ball format suited our games.”
Virtually all competitors from the 37 teams that played Monday’s Tournament of Champions raved about this year’s venue, as players found Tobiano in pristine condition in its spectacular setting overlooking Kamloops Lake.
“I know a lot of the guys have never been here before, so my No. 1 goal was to showcase this beautiful piece of property, amazing golf course, staff and everything we have here to my industry peers,” said Tobiano Head Professional Shannon McGeady.
Click here to see full results of Monday’s Tournament of Champions.
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The PGA of BC is an association of highly skilled and dedicated golf professionals who promote, play, develop and advance the game and business of golf for the benefit of its members and the people of British Columbia. Our members teach and administer golf while providing strong leadership in the community through charity events and volunteering. Dynamic and savvy, PGA of BC professionals are available at more than 200 golf facilities - a vital resource to the future of the game in Canada's golf capital.
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