July 8, 2024
Invermere, BC (PGA of BC) - Point Grey Golf & Country Club’s Dave Zibrik and Killian Cullen have jumped out to an early lead following the first round of the 2024 G&G Brands & Callaway Golf Pro-Assistant Championship presented by E-Z-GO.
Eighty professionals making up 40 teams are competing in the event held at Invermere’s Copper Point Golf Club, where temperatures soared into the 30s today. Zibrik and Cullen emerged as the team to beat heading into tomorrow’s final round, putting forth a spectacular performance for a 9-under-par 62 today.
The duo combined for seven birdies and an eagle in the best-ball format, walking into the clubhouse without a single bogey in sight. With a shotgun start, they began their day on the third hole where a string of par 5s waited for them. They made sure to take advantage of the opportunity, amassing four birdies and an eagle across their first seven holes to jump out to a commanding early lead. Their massive drives and pinpoint accuracy continued all day as they added three more birdies and played steady down the stretch to maintain their lead. Zibrik and Cullen will hope to bolster their club’s winning history in the event; Point Grey Golf & Country Club took three Pro-Assistant titles in 2006, 2007 and 2011 while represented by Jeff Buder and Trevor Hay.
“I made that putt on nine for eagle, gave us a little booster at the turn there. Dave roasted one on ten, probably 390 off the tee, that definitely helps. I think we just did a lot of good things and worked well together,” said Cullen.
Zibrik said the duo will continue to prioritize hitting it long off the tee and won’t look to make many adjustments even as the format changes from a best-ball to a scramble.
“The strategy tomorrow is a lot of what we did today. We were both driving it really well. If we drive it and put it into play, we’re going to have wedge into pretty much every hole out here. Scramble’s a weird one, you have to be a bit patient because you don’t want to force it too much, but the birdies will come.”
“After our tee shots on our first hole, it was “No sorrys”, let’s get out and have fun,” added Zibrik. “If we have a good time, we’re probably going to go out and play some good golf.”
Tied for second place at 6-under-par, Fairview Mountains Golf Club’s reigning champions Rob Tadey and Brian McDonald, and Tower Ranch Golf Club’s Keith Martin and Miles Palahniuk will hope to seize the lead tomorrow. McDonald and Tadey, who have won a joint-record three career Pro-Assistant titles, compiled eight birdies and only two bogeys today. Martin and Palahniuk made six birdies and two bogeys, adding an eagle on the third hole to set themselves up for a stellar chance at the victory tomorrow.
Tournament play resumes at 8:30am tomorrow morning as competitors tee it up in a scramble format. For the full leaderboard, please click here. For tomorrow’s draw, please click here.
Thank you to our incredible title sponsors, G&G Brands and Callaway Golf, and presenting sponsor, E-Z-GO, for their great support of the Championship.
Finally, thank you to Head Professional Scott McClain, Executive Professional Brian Schaal, Superintendent Mike Knowles and the entire Copper Point team for their warm hospitality and tireless efforts.
