July 31, 2024
Richmond, BC (PGA of BC) - Kevin Stinson won the latest G&G Tour event Monday at Nicklaus North Golf Course, a victory he earned by shooting a course-record and G&G Tour-record 60 (-11).
The Cheam Mountain Golf Course Head Teaching Professional made nine birdies and an eagle during his bogey-free round to achieve this incredible milestone. He started his round steady but unspectacular, sitting at 1-under par through six holes. However, he caught fire soon after, birdieing holes 7, 8 and 9 for a 4-under 32 on the front nine. The back nine is where Stinson absolutely dominated for a resounding win and to clinch the record. Birdies on 11, 14, 15, 17 and 18, and an eagle on the par-5 13th hole propelled Stinson to an inconceivable and mind-boggling 7-under 28 on the back. Stinson's exploits earned him a commanding five-stroke margin of victory over runner-up Khan Lee (GreenTee Country Club) to win his third G&G Tour event of the 2024 season.
Stinson said his experience at last year's Whistler Open, where he was unable to maintain his position atop the leaderboard, impacted his play on the back nine Monday.
"I played the Whistler Open on the Vancouver Golf Tour last year. I had a four-stroke lead going into the back nine and I blew it. I was thinking ‘You’re kind of in the same position, make sure you finish it off,’ and that kept me going and I kept hitting good shots."
The immaculate conditions at Nicklaus North presented a great opportunity for such an elite round.
"I would call that perfect golf conditions. It was supposed to rain on us and had rained a little bit before we got there, so that softened things up. We played with very little wind and a course that was in perfect condition, so that always helps with scoring. The fairways were perfect, the greens were some of the best I’ve seen this year, so hats off to Andrew [Smart] and his team for such a great job," said Stinson.
At last week's PGA of BC Jack McLaughlin Memorial Pro-Junior Championship Series event at Cultus Lake Golf Club, Stinson made seven birdies and an eagle for another incredible result, finishing at 8-under par. Playing with his junior teammates motivated him.
"I would give a little credit to playing in the Pro-Junior. That putting day I had there, that gave me some confidence and got me feeling pretty good. Getting to play with my juniors, it inspired me to try really hard and play really well," said Stinson. "The round at Nicklaus North was similar, kind of had that same feel where the putts were going in and the ball-striking was good. It was a lot of fun to get to tee it up and every pro that can should try to take a team and play the Pro-Junior."
For the full leaderboard from Monday's G&G Tour event, please click here.