AUGUST 24, 2020
COURTENAY, BC (PGA of British Columbia) –- Having already achieved some significant career highlights at Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community, Brad Clapp has put himself in good position to accomplish another when the TaylorMade & adidas Golf PGA of BC Championship presented by Axis Insurance Group wraps up Tuesday.
Clapp (Cultus Lake Golf Club) will take a three-stroke lead into the final round of the championship after going bogey-free over Monday’s first 18 holes at Crown Isle, carding a 6-under-par 66 in blustery conditions.
Keith Martin (Tower Ranch Golf & Country Club) occupies second place after shooting an opening-round 69, while six players hold a share of third at 1-under.
It shouldn’t be a surprise to see Clapp having success at Crown Isle given his history at the resort. The last time the PGA of BC Championship was held here, Clapp emerged with a four-stroke victory, helping him to the Association’s 2012 Stan Leonard Player of the Year Award. In 2014, he gained status on the Mackenzie Tour through Q-School at Crown Isle that ended with him winning a 6-for-1 playoff.
The 33-year-old said he’s been enjoying his return to the site of those feats this week.
“It’s pretty special walking around a golf course where you’ve had two major successes,” said Clapp. “On the golf course you don’t think about it as much – you’re trying to stay in the moment – but having a drink afterwards with the boys or even walking around the putting green knowing what you’ve done there in years past is pretty fun.”
Monday’s round was a memorable performance as well, particularly over the closing nine that played difficult for many players as the wind picked up. After making the turn at 2-under, Clapp made birdies at the 10th, 13th, 14th and 16th holes to come home in 32, which was two shots better than anyone else in the field.
“To be honest, I surprised myself. I’m not practicing and I’m not really there with controlling my ball and ball-striking,” said Clapp, who’s now in his second year as a Head Professional. “I wanted to play well, be smart out there and control my game, so it was a good confidence boost knowing that was my game plan and I executed it almost perfectly today.
“I’ve got to keep the same thing going tomorrow, stay focused on playing smart golf and not get too far ahead of myself – I’ve done that in the past.”
Meanwhile, first-year PGA of BC member Martin has plenty of experience at Crown Isle himself. Having also played a couple of Mackenzie Tour Q-Schools in the past, the 31-year-old has put in his share of rounds at the resort.
“I definitely feel comfortable here,” said Martin, who’s playing in his first PGA of BC individual stroke-play championship. “You can feel comfortable with some of the tee shots and what clubs to hit (from experience), and where you can lay back or be a bit more aggressive.”
Martin’s comfort level was especially on display early with a handful of birdies in the opening holes, while he made just a single bogey on his day to finish at 3-under.
“I started off so hot and was 4-under after seven and was hitting good shots. I kept hitting the ball well but the putts just stopped dropping. The back nine played a little tougher than the front, but it was a good day out there.”
Several other players had strong starts like Martin did but were unable to stay in red figures over the course of the day. Quinn Vilneff (Northview Golf & Country Club) was 5-under through five holes and Cory Renfrew (Modern Golf Vancouver) was 4-under through 14, but both settled for even-par 72s after some difficult back-nine stretches.
“This course can get you, for sure,” said Clapp. “There are a couple of holes that look like they’re a bit easier and you want to hit the gas pedal on them, but they’re short and tricky and they’ll bite you for that.”
Crown Isle Professional Brian Wise held the clubhouse lead for much of the day after posting a 71 from the first group to tee off Monday. He’s among the six players tied at 1-under and will join Clapp and Martin in the threesome of leaders at 12:10 p.m. for Tuesday’s final round.
The other players sitting in a share of third place with Wise are 2018 PGA of BC Champion Kevin Stinson (Cheam Mountain Golf Course), reigning PGA of BC Club Professional Champion Mark Kitts (Shadow Ridge Golf Club), 2001 Assistants’ Championship winner Steven MacPherson (Storey Creek Golf Club), Paul Dashkewytch (The Springs at Radium) and Ben McKendrick (Capilano Golf & Country Club). Nine players are tied for ninth place at even-par.
CLICK HERE to view complete Round 1 scoring. CLICK HERE to view Round 2 tee times.
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About Axis Insurance Group
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For more information and media inquiries, please contact:
Eric MacKenzie
Communications & Marketing Manager, PGA of BC
(604) 303-6766
eric@pgabc.org