While there is still lots of golf to be played at all levels of the sport, the official season has now concluded with a number of important tournaments.
For the pros, the Presidents Cup competition is still to come next week, featuring a heavily favoured American team against the international team captained by Canadian Mike Weir. But the PGA season officially ended earlier this month. The big winner was American Scottie Scheffler, who had an amazing eight wins including the Masters, the Players Championship, an Olympic golf medal and finally the Tour Championship. For his efforts Scheffler received the FedEx Cup Trophy and the incredible $25-million prize that went with it.
Victoria hosted a pair of major tournaments this summer. The 41st annual Victoria Open at the Uplands course attracted a strong field of pros, with top prize going to Denmark’s Frederik Kjettrup. On the same weekend, despite my mediocre talent, I was fortunate enough to receive a sponsor’s exemption to take part in the 50th anniversary of the prestigious Cliff MacKay Tournament played at the Cedar Hill course. My thanks to organizers Dave Wirtanen, Cory MacKay and Bruce Walker and my congratulations to winner Mike Finlayson who shot a sparkling final-round 74 to seal victory and edge Bob Wheeler for top honours.
Certainly there was some excellent golf played on local courses this year. At the Nanaimo Golf Club, the 2024 Nanaimo Men’s Amateur was won by young star Matthew Wilson, who earlier this season led his Wellington Secondary team to an Island championship. In the amateur, Wilson cruised to a comfortable 11-shot victory ahead of Blair Sturrock from Arbutus Ridge. In the low net competition, Nanaimo players Paul Pickles, Brian Ranger and Kevin Wilson claimed the top three positions. Meanwhile, in the 70th Nanaimo Women’s Amateur, Nanaimo’s Kassie Muanyam edged clubmate Maria Schwager in a playoff for top spot, with Shirin Anjarwalla of NGC third. Low net winner was Gwen Cleave of Nanaimo, ahead of Krista Nabb from Duncan Meadows and Nanaimo’s Grace Rustulka.
At the end of August the Nanaimo Golf Club held its annual club championship tournaments. Head professional Chris Wilson sends word that the men’s winner in the under-55 division was T.J. Prisnie, with Steve Seriani second and Kristian Hrabowych third. Top three in low net were Kris Small, Kevin Wilson and Kenny Jeong. In the senior champion 55-64 division, top three low gross golfers were Sandy Harper, Al Jensen and Les Aitken, and tops in low net were Brian Bogie, Kevin North and Don Tamelin. The super senior champion 65-plus group had Sandy Harper in first ahead of Ross Marshall and John Hough. Best in low net were Michael Beninger, Larry Austman and Glen Baird.
In the golf club’s women’s club championship, winner of the Barker Cup as low gross champ was Maria Schwager. Isabel Schwager was runner-up and Melanie Midgley third. Tops in low net was Lisa Henderson. The senior women’s champion, receiving the Bunny Anderson Trophy, was Jan Jarvie, while Kathy Kowalchuk was first in low net. Super senior women’s champ was Gwen Cleave, while Eli Mackay was the low net winner.
From Cottonwood Golf Course, new club pro Aaron Grice reports that the annual club championship competitions were held at the end of August. In women’s play, April Mathers dominated by winning low gross titles in the ladies, senior ladies and super senior ladies divisions. Tracey Reynolds was runner-up in both ladies and senior ladies, with Judy Stanley runner-up in super seniors. In the Cottonwood men’s tournament, Luke Skingle won the championship with a two-round gross score of 144, ahead of Cam Scott and Joel Schmidt. Low net winner was Ryan Smith. Gary Turner was the senior and super senior gross champ, with Wes Burke the runner-up in both categories.
Also with local golf, a tip of the cap goes to new club pro Ian MacDonald and his team at Winchelsea Golf Course in Lantzville. New ownership has brought improvements to the course which are much appreciated.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.
