July 10, 2024
Invermere, BC (PGA of BC) - Keith Martin and Miles Palahniuk started their final round of the 2024 G&G Brands & Callaway Golf Pro-Assistant Championship presented by E-Z-GO three strokes back of the Round One leaders following their 6-under 65 in Monday’s best-ball format. The duo, representing Tower Ranch Golf Club, fired a tournament record 16-under 55 in the final round scramble to win by six strokes and earn a joint-record total tournament score of -22.
The stunning mountainous Kootenays landscape of Copper Point Golf Club served as the backdrop for Martin and Palahniuk’s unbelievable and awe-inspiring performance. Trailing Round One leaders Dave Zibrik and Killian Cullen (Point Grey Golf & Country Club) and tied with 2023 champions Rob Tadey and Brian McDonald (Fairview Mountain Golf Club) in second place following the best-ball format, Martin and Palahniuk faced an uphill battle in shrinking their three-stroke deficit. Despite incredible play by several teams in the final round scramble format, the duo’s staggering display of skill, strength and precision earned them a blowout six-stroke victory. With two eagles, twelve birdies and four pars, Martin and Palahniuk set the all-time Pro-Assistant single-round record and secured their first career title in the event.
Martin was beaming with pride following the round and said that they played as well as they could possibly imagine.
“It was so good. I hit 14 fairways, I didn’t miss a fairway. I putted awesome. I played so well on my own ball on the back-nine there,” said Martin. “Pretty much every shot we needed to get, we got, and it would be tough to shoot any lower than that.”
Martin and Palahniuk showered each other with praise as their achievement set in following the round.
“He hits it so far, it helps me out a lot. He hit irons great both days and putted really well this week, really saved us on a couple putts I missed. It was so much fun out there,” said Martin of his partner.
Palahniuk said that Martin’s pinpoint accuracy gave him the confidence to take risks and swing hard, knowing that his teammate was locked in and automatic on every fairway.
“He’s just such a great player and so steady. He’s down the middle every time, he hits it tight on so many holes. He lets me swing freely because I trust him so much,” said Palahniuk.
Martin, the 2020 PGA of BC Championship winner, has been a consistent presence near the top of Championship leaderboards over the years, but a win in Association tournaments has eluded him since his 2020 victory. He talked about how much it meant to him to play his way back into the winner’s circle.
“It means a lot. My last win was 2020 in the PGA of BC Championship. This year, I’ve played so badly going into this and to play this well is very gratifying. It’s awesome.”
Earning joint runner-up honours, Point Grey’s Zibrik and Cullen and Fairview Mountain’s Tadey and McDonald finished their tournament at 16-under par. Three teams came in at 14-under to share a tie for fourth place: Marine Drive Golf Club’s Padraic O’Rourke and Clint Foley, Shadow Ridge Golf Club’s James Presnail and Mark Kitts, and Kelowna Golf & Country Club’s Rob Anderson and Jason Jurimae. In addition to Martin and Palahniuk’s 55, two other duos achieved rounds in the 50s in the final round scramble. Pacific Golf Academy’s Sergej Dronov and Carson Kallis posted a 58, and Chilliwack Golf Club’s Ryan Tofani and Kaleb Fisher shot 59, with both teams earning a T7 result in the Championship. Cranbrook Golf Club’s Paul Wittingham and Scott Merriam finished with a total tournament score of 13-under to join Pacific Golf Academy and Chilliwack in seventh place.
The PGA of BC extends our deep gratitude to our phenomenal partners who sponsored the event. The generous support from title sponsors G&G Brands and Callaway Golf, and presenting sponsor E-Z-GO, were vital in ensuring a memorable and enjoyable experience for all.
Thank you to rules official Jack Croucher for his hard work and consistent dedication to all competitors.
Finally, we thank Head Professional Scott McClain, Executive Professional Brian Schaal, Superintendent Matt Knowles and the entire Copper Point team for their spectacular hospitality this week. Copper Point’s staff was so welcoming and ensured that all competitors felt at home. Their efforts throughout the tournament, as well as their contributions to the local golfing community, demonstrate how important and beloved the club is in the Invermere region.
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