Cedar Brae Golf Club set to host 2019 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship
– Winner receives exemption into USGA’s 2020 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship –
– Eight past champions and three Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Honoured Members in the field –
TORONTO – The 2019 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, conducted by Golf Canada, will be contested at Cedar Brae Golf Club from September 10-13, marking the 58th playing of the national championship.
A full field of 156 competitors aged 55-and-over will take to Cedar Brae in hopes of joining the championship’s stellar list of notable winners. Returning to defend his Canadian Men’s Senior title is Brady Exber of Las Vegas, who cruised to a 7-stroke victory in 2018 with a score of 10-under par (278).
Also looking to hoist the John Rankin Memorial Trophy at Cedar Brae are seven additional past champions, including Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured members Gary Cowan of Kitchener, Ont., Graham Cooke of Hudson, Que. and Doug Roxburgh of Vancouver. Other past champions in the field include Paul Simson of Raleigh, N.C.; David Schultz of Calgary; Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga; Michael Mercier of Juno Beach, Fla.; and Gene Elliott of West Des Moines, Ill.
“We have exceptionally talented and accomplished golfers who are ready to take on a stellar golf course in Cedar Brae,” said Tournament Director Akash Patel. “Our hosts at Cedar Brae Golf Club have pulled together a great team of volunteers and the course is sure to provide North America’s best senior golfers with a solid test of their skills. The 2019 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship will undoubtedly be an exciting competition.”
Practice rounds take place Monday, September 9. Championship play will be conducted Tuesday, September 10 through Friday, September 13, with 18 holes of stroke play each day. Following the opening two rounds, the field will be reduced to the low 70 players and ties. The champion receives an exemption into the 2020 U.S. Senior Amateur championship to be contested at The Country Club of Detroit, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.
A 65-and-over Super Senior Championship will run concurrently throughout the championship, crowning a champion after 72 holes of play. In 2018, Doug Roxburgh claimed a two-shot victory in the division over Quebec City’s Michel Roy.
An inter-provincial team competition for the Phil Farley Memorial Trophy will also be contested over the tournament’s first two rounds. In 2018, Team British Columbia captured the inter-provincial team championship with a score of 9 over par. Team Alberta and Team Quebec finished a single shot back to tie for second.
Originally opened in 1922, Cedar Brae has proven itself a revered destination for golfers seeking one of the best golf course experiences in Toronto. The club has evolved from its early beginnings, moving locations and changing its name before spreading its roots at its current location. The course was designed by Mr. C.E. (Robbie) Robinson.
Visiting golfers regularly praise Cedar Brae’s layout, course conditioning and large fast greens that require a deft putting touch.
“Cedar Brae is proud and excited to host the 2019 Canadian Men’s Senior Golf Championship,” said Cedar Brae’s General Manager and Chief Operating Officer, Martin Piché. “Our staff and member-based volunteer team have been working hard to prepare for the event. We know the players will enjoy the amenities and pure golf experience Cedar Brae has to offer.”
Additional information, including a full list of competitors, can be found here.
NOTABLE COMPETITORS
Gary Cowan of Kitchener, Ont.
Cowan, 80, was named the Canadian Male Golfer of the 20th Century in 2000 by Golf Canada – then known as the Royal Canadian Golf Association. A former Canadian Junior Boy’s (1956) and Canadian Amateur (1961) Champion, Cowan went on to win the United States Amateur Championship on two occasions (1966 and 1971). He turned professional at age 52 and played on the PGA TOUR Champions where he earned three top-10 finishes. Cowan’s amateur status was reinstated in October, 2018.
Gene Elliott of West Des Moines, Ill.
The 57-year-old won five titles in 2018. In addition, he finished 3rd at last year’s Canadian Men’s Senior.
Brady Exber of Las Vegas, Nev.
The 63-year-old is back north of the border to defend his Canadian Men’s Senior Championship title. Exber, a member of the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame, was a quarterfinalist at the 2019 U.S. Senior Amateur.
Graham Cooke of Hudson, Que.
The 72-year-old is a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and has won the event four times (2001, 2002, 2008 and 2009). Cooke holds the record number of wins at the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship with seven.
Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga.
The 62-year-old won the event in 2015 and finished 4th last year. In 2018, he won both the National Senior Amateur Hall of Fame and the Georgia Senior Match Play Championships.
Doug Roxburgh of Vancouver B.C.
The 2014 winner of the event is a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and was the Super Senior Champion in last year’s tournament. The 67-year-old won the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship four times (1972, 1974, 1982 and 1988). He also has the record for most wins at the B.C. Men’s Amateur Championship with 13.
FAST FACTS
Conducted since 1962.
Golfers must be 55 and over to be eligible.
In 1995, the 70 and over Canadian Super Senior division was added and is contested through the first two rounds.
The 2018 playing marked the first time this competition was contested over 72 holes.
The inter-provincial competition, which began in 1977, occurs concurrently over the first two rounds.
The champion is awarded the John Rankin Memorial Trophy.
The winner of the Super Senior division is awarded the Governor’s Cup.
Calgary’s Bob Wylie has won the event seven times since 1985.
Nick Weslock won the event six times between 1973 and 1983.
Paul Simson became the first person to win the British, U.S. and Canadian senior titles in the same year in 2010.
The winner receives an exemption into the 2020 U.S. Men’s Senior Amateur Championship.
ABOUT THE COURSE
Located in the scenic Rouge Valley in the north east part of Toronto, Cedar Brae boasts a challenging and award winning 18-hole course designed by renowned golf course architect and Stanley Thompson disciple, CE (Robbie) Robinson.
Cedar Brae’s layout boasts mature trees and natural tranquility bordered to the east by Rouge National Urban Park – Canada’s only Urban National Park.
The club hosted the 1976 CP Women’s Open, then known as the Peter Jackson Classic, as well as other provincial championships and qualifiers.
Cedar Brae, par 71, will be set up to play 6,463 yards. Par 3s will average 192 yards, par 4s will average 380 yards and the par 5s will average 520 yards.
Brady Exber captures 2018 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship
BATHURST, N.B. – American Brady Exber closed out a strong performance with a final-round 73 (+1) on Friday to claim the 2018 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship at Gowan Brae Golf and Country Club.
Exber held a share of the lead in the opening round and never looked back, extending his advantage to capture a 7-stroke victory and hoist the John Rankin Memorial Trophy. The 62-year-old Las Vegas native finished the 72-hole event at 10 under par (278) ahead of Canadian runner-up Peter Detemple.
“It was just amazing when I made that last putt,” said Exber, who becomes the ninth American to win the Canadian Men’s Senior. “Everybody started clapping, and I looked around, I couldn’t believe how many people were watching.”
“I was really nervous starting today, because I had a big lead, and I was thinking ‘OK try to not screw this up’ instead of playing the golf course. You can’t win on the first tee you gotta play all the holes.”
The Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame member held a third-round lead of nine strokes, thanks in part to a tournament course record 66 (-6) in the third round. With the victory, Exber adds another trophy to a well-decorated shelf over a stellar amateur golf career throughout the years. Among his many accolades, Exber is nine-time recipient of the Southern Nevada Golf Association Player of the Year Award.
Having played many different Nevada courses over his career, Exber shared high praise for the conditions at Gowan Brae.
“It’s a really fun course, the two nines are very different. If you drive it in the fairway here, you can make some birdies. The hospitality here is fantastic.”
Exber earns an exemption into the 2019 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at the Old Chatham Golf Club in Durham, N.C., from Aug. 24-29, 2019.
He’s also committed to returning to Canada to defend his title at next year’s Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, which will take place Sept. 10-13 at Cedar Brae Golf Club in Scarborough, Ont.
“Absolutely I’m going to defend my title, I’m looking forward to it. I really do look forward to coming to Canada—it’s one of three tournaments in the world for senior amateur golf.”
Detemple, a Vancouver native currently residing in Lexington Park, Md., couldn’t quite match Exber after the two shared the 18-hole lead. Instead, he was battling 2017 champion Gene Elliott of West Des Moines, Ia., who finished in solo third at 1 under for the tournament, two back of Detemple.
Doug Roxburgh, an honored member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, hung on to capture the Super Senior Division (ages 65+) by two strokes. The Vancouver native finished tied for 11th at 11 over par (299). Quebec’s Michel Roy was in position to win but finished bogey, double-bogey to open the door for Roxburgh.
“It was one my goals and it’s really nice to have accomplished it,” said Roxburgh. “I turned things around and played pretty steady on the back. It was a good day of golf and Michel is just a tremendous player.”
On Wednesday, Team British Columbia captured the inter-provincial team championship with a score of 9 over par. Team Alberta and Team Quebec finished one stroke back with a share of second.
Additional information, including complete scoring info for the 2018 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship can be found here.
Brady Exber takes commanding lead into final round of Canadian Men’s Senior Championship
Bathurst, N.B. – Brady Exber edged closer to winning his first Canadian Men’s Senior title on Thursday, firing his third-straight round in the red at Gowan Brae Golf and Country Club to take a 9-shot lead heading into tomorrow’s final round.
Exber carded a 6-under-66 to tie the tournament course record at Gowan Brae, which was originally set in 2005. His bogey-free round was highlighted by an eagle and four birdies.
“I’m very happy, it was an unreal round,” smiled Exber. “I got off to a good start, birdied one, chip in for eagle on two, so that was a good start. I just kind of felt really good today off the tee, with the driver and three-wood. I think I only missed one fairway.”
The Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame member’s only miss hit was on hole 18. He hit a 7 iron off the fairway and the ball bounced off the cart path, about 30 feet in the air, and landed on the green about 8 feet back of the hole.
“I just tried to hit a little easy 7 iron and I caught it thin and you know it just hit the cart path,” said the 62-year-old. “You know what, I have to say, with as good as I played today, sometimes it’s just your day. Today was just my day.”
Exber sits 11 under for the tournament (205) and heads into the final round with a 9-stroke lead over Peter Detemple of Lexington Park, MD., and 2017 Canadian Senior Champion, Gene Elliott of West Des Moines, Ia. Elliott and Detemple sit 2 under for the tournament (214) both with a share of second.
Canadian Golf Hall of Famer, Doug Roxburgh, maintained his lead in the Super Senior division despite carding a 79 on Thursday.
“I didn’t really play very well on the back nine, missed some short putts, and totally lost focus. I’ve got to re-group for tomorrow,” the Vancouver native sighed. “I gave back nine shots in the last 14 holes.”
Sitting one stroke back of Roxburgh is Michel Roy from Québec City, who sits 9-over-225 for the tournament.
On Wednesday, Team British Columbia captured the inter-provincial team championship with a score of 9-over-par. Team Alberta and Team Quebec finished one stroke back of Team British Columbia with a share of second.
The 2018 Canadian Men’s SeniorChampion will earn an exemption into the 2019 U.S. Men’s Senior Amateur Championship at the Old Chatham Golf Club in Durham, N.C., on Aug. 24-29, 2019.
The Canadian Senior Men’s Championship continues Friday with the final round beginning at 8 a.m. ADT.
Team British Columbia wins provincial title at Canadian Men’s Senior Championship
Bathurst, N.B. – The second round of the 2018 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship concluded Wednesday at Gowan Brae Golf and Country Club with Team British Columbia emerging as provincial team champions.
The trio of Doug Roxburgh (Vancouver), John Gallacher (Burnaby, B.C.) and Al Jensen (Nanaimo, B.C.) posted a combined second-round score of 2-over-146 to capture the Phil Farley Trophy with a total of 297 (+9).
It was a close finish between Team British Columbia and Team Alberta, which was comprised of John Festival (Calgary), Brian Coston (Calgary) and Ken Griffith (Red Deer, Alta.). The Alberta trio, who are defending champions,finished a single-shot back of Team British Columbia, sharing runner-up honours with Team Quebec, comprised of Shawn Farrell (St-Anne-de-Bellevue, Que.), François Bissonnette (Mirabel, Que.) and Michel Roy (Québec, Que.). Team Alberta and Team Quebec finished with a total of 10-over-298.
Team British Columbia member and Canadian Golf Hall of Famer, Doug Roxburgh, walks away from the second round with his team winning the inter-provincial competition and holding the lead in the Super Senior Division.
“It’s great,” when asked how it feels to be leading the Super Senior Division, “I just want to go out and play golf while representing B.C. and see how our team did, and now we have the individual side of it, and so we just keep plugging away.”
The Vancouver native leads the Super Senior by 5 stokes after carding a 1-under-71 on Wednesday to sit 1-over for the tournament.
“I played fairly steady and missed a couple of short ones, but other than that you have to be pretty happy with it, I’ll take a 71,” Roxbugh laughed.
The 2014 Canadian Men’s Senior champion holds a five-shot lead on Lars Melander from Oakville, Ont. and Lance Lundy from Pemberton, B.C., who share second with a total score of 150 (+6).
Brady Exber took the solo lead Wednesday in the Senior Division after recording a tournament low round of 4-under-68.
The Las Vegas native teed off on hole 10 and fired two birdies against two bogeys on his front nine making the turn at even for the day. He continued to record four more birdies on the back nine to take a three-shot lead.
“It’s always good to make six birdies,” Exber smiled. “I had two mistakes, I bogeyed 17 and just missed the green a little bit and flubbed a chip. I three putted 18, that was very disappointing.”
Exber enters the third round Thursday without having made a bogey on the front nine.
“I played the front nine well, the front nine is a little easier than the back nine. But I haven’t made a bogey on the front yet, knock on wood,” added the 62-year-old.
Peter Detemple from Lexington Park, MD., initially from Vancouver, moved one spot back into second after sharing the lead with Exber after Tuesday’s round. Detemple carded another 71 to sit 2-under for the tournament.
Not far behind is 2017 Canadian Senior champion Gene Elliott who fired a 3-under 69 to sit alone in third, just one stroke behind Detemple.
A total of 74 players finished 156-or-better to advance past the 36-hole cut. The third round will begin Thursday at 8 a.m. ADT.
Detemple and Exber lead opening-round at Canadian Men’s Senior Championship
BATHURST, N.B. – Peter Detemple and Brady Exber were the only players in the red at the end of the first round of the 2018 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship at Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club.
It was a sunny blue bird day with a little wind which was proving to throw off some players, but not Detemple.
“It was a beautiful day, perfect enough breeze for the mosquitoes to keep away. You know, the wind is your friend in golf, you use it. It wasn’t overly windy, it was a normal wind,” said the Vancouver native.
Detemple opened with two birdies on his front nine but struggled with his putter on hole 10 as he made the turn.
“I missed a 12-inch putt on 10, I tapped it in and missed it. I was standing there like ‘what the heck’ that don’t happen,” Detemple laughed.
He didn’t let that stop him. The Lexington Park, MD., resident continued to card two more birdies against two bogeys to finish 1 under.
“I played conservative, I kept it in play today, that was my goal. You don’t want to shoot yourself out,” said the 56-year-old.
Unlike Detemple, Exber had a rough start to the tournament when he arrived in Bathurst, but his clubs did not. Exber was one of many players whose clubs didn’t make it for the practice round, but thankfully arrived just on time for the beginning of the championship.
“I’m really happy, I didn’t have my own clubs until today, so I just didn’t want to get off to a bad start,” said the Las Vegas native. “I wanted to get in the feel of the golf course because I didn’t really know how far the ball was going with my own equipment. It took me a few holes to kind of get going, but I did get off to a good start.”
The 62-year-old had a similar opening round to Detemple recording two birdies. Exber made the turn–also recording a bogey on hole 10 and a birdie on hole 11–and recorded an eagle on hole 14 after a chip-in just off the green.
Two players trail the duo after carding even-par 72s. Ken Griffith of Red Deer, Alta. and Allen Barber of Yorktown, Va., both share third heading into Wednesday’s second round.
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Honoured Member and 2014 Champion, Doug Roxbough, leads the Super Senior (65 years +) Division by two strokes over Lars Melander from Oakville, Ont. and Mike Hosford from Dieppe, N.B. Roxbough recorded a 2-over-74 in Tuesday’s round.
Defending champions, Team Alberta, has a share of the lead with neighbouring province, Team Saskatchewan, at 4 over. Three strokes back, with a share of third, are Team British Columbia (+7) and Team Ontario (+7).
The 2018 Canadian Men’s SeniorChampion will earn an exemption into the 2019 U.S. Men’s Senior Amateur Championship at the Old Chatham Golf Club in Durham, N.C., on Aug. 24-29, 2019.
Additional information, including full scores from the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship can be here.
Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club set for Canadian Men’s Senior Championship
The 2018 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship heads to Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club for the 57th playing of the event on Sept. 4-7, with a practice round to take place on the 3rd.
“With a field of accomplished senior golfers ready to take on Gowan Brae, the 2018 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship is sure to be an exciting competition,” said Tournament Director Adam Cinel. “Our hosts at Gowan Brae have brought together a great team of volunteers and the course is sure to provide our golfers with a challenging, rewarding experience.”
Designed by Mr. C.E. (Robbie) Robinson, Gowan Brae was established in 1958 as a nine hole venue before it was turned to eighteen holes in 1962. Constructed along the windy shores of the Bathurst Harbour near the Bay of Chaleur, the course features water views from at least 14 different holes throughout.
“Gowan Brae is proud and excited to host the 2018 Canadian Men’s senior Golf Championship. Our staff and volunteer team have been working hard to prepare for the event,” said Gowan Brae Director of Golf Adam Chamberlain. “We hope the players will enjoy the scenery and a good test of golf at Gowan Brae and get a chance to enjoy some maritime hospitality on their trip to the North Shore of New Brunswick.”
A full field of 156 competitors aged 55-and-over will take to Gowan Brae for the 57th playing of this national championship in hopes of joining its list of notable winners. Returning to defend his Canadian Men’s Senior title is Gene Elliott of West Des Moines, Ill., who shot a final-round 70 to win the event by two strokes.
Following the opening two rounds, the field will be reduced to the low 70 players and ties. The champion will receive an exemption into the 2019 U.S. Senior Amateur championship to be contested at the Old Chatham Golf Club in Durham, N.C., from Aug. 24-29.
A 65-and-over Super Senior Championship will also run concurrently throughout the championship, crowning a champion after 72 holes of play. In 2017, Paul Simson of Raleigh, N.C., claimed a one-shot victory in the division over Lance Lundy of Pemberton, B.C.
An inter-provincial team competition for the Phil Farley Trophy will also be contested over the tournament’s first two rounds. Team Alberta will be looking for their third consecutive inter-provincial title after a 3-over 283 in 2017 gave them a commanding twelve-stroke victory over Team British Columbia.
Additional information from the tournament can be found here.
NOTABLES
Gene Elliott of West Des Moines, Ill.
The 56-year-old comes in as the event’s defending champion. He has won three titles in 2018 — Golfweek Senior National Match Play, Iowa Masters and George C Thomas Invitational – Senior — in addition to four top-three finishes this season.
Graham Cooke of Hudson, Que.
The 71-year-old is a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and has won the event four times (2001, 2002, 2008 and 2009). Cooke, who helped to renovate the host course, recently won the Championnat Senior Montreal and is one of Canada’s greatest amateur golfers of all time, holding the record number of wins at the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship with seven.
Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga.
The 61-year-old won the event in 2015 and finished T3 last year. In 2018, he won both the National Senior Amateur Hall of Fame and the Georgia Senior Match Play Championships.
Doug Roxburgh of Vancouver B.C.
The 2014 winner of the event is a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and was the low-Canadian in last year’s tournament after finishing T6. The 66-year-old won the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship four times (1972, 1974, 1982 and 1988). He also has the record for most wins at the B.C. Men’s Amateur Championship with 13.
David Schultz of Calgary, Alta.
The 61-year-old won the event in 2013 after making a birdie on the final hole of the tournament. Schultz also won the 2016 Guardian Capital Alberta Senior Men’s Championship and the Calgary City Amateur Championship – the latter he won five times – earning himself a spot in Calgary’s Golf Hall of Fame.
FAST FACTS
Conducted since 1962.
Golfers must be 55 and over to be eligible.
In 1995, the 70 and over Canadian Super Senior division was added and is contested through the first two rounds. For the first time, this competition will be contested over 72 holes.
The inter-provincial competition, which began in 1977, occurs concurrently over the first two rounds.
The champion is awarded the John Rankin Memorial Trophy.
The winner of the Super Senior division is awarded the Governors Cup.
Calgary’s Bob Wylie has won the event seven times since 1985.
Nick Weslock won the event six times between 1973 and 1983.
Paul Simson became the first person to win the British, U.S. and Canadian senior titles in the same year in 2010.
The winner receives an exemption into the 2019 U.S. Men’s Senior Amateur Championship.
ABOUT THE COURSE
Officially opened in 1958 as a nine hole venue; by 1962 the course was open for 18 holes of play.
Designed by Mr. C.E. (Robbie) Robinson. Renovated by seven-time Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur champion Graham Cooke.
The property was essentially donated to the Bathurst Golf Association by Leach Investments, of Winnipeg.
Hosted four National Championships including the 1998 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur and the 2006 Canadian Junior Girls along with many other provincial and Atlantic competitions.
The 6,700 yard layout features 4 sets off tees to offer a great experience to all skill levels.
Gene Elliott wins 2017 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship
KAHNAWAKE, Que. – American Gene Elliott carded an even-par 70 during the final round to claim the 2017 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship at Kanawaki Golf Club and hoist the John Rankin Memorial Trophy.
The native of West Des Moines, IA, finished at 3-over (283) for the championship, which was good enough for a 2-shot win over third-round leader Doug Hanzel of Savannah, GA.
“I am so thrilled – this is tough competition,” said Elliott, who recently competed in the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship where he fell in the round of 32. “Senior golf is tough; these guys are good. You win very little in golf at all and when you do it’s very special. To win in Canada, I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
Elliott may be new to the senior circuit having just turned 55 in February, but he’s enjoyed a stellar competitive golf career throughout the years. Among his many accomplishments, he’s amassed more than 20 titles in his home state of Iowa and also won the prestigious Porter Cup in 1998.
The veteran had high praises for the host club of Kanawaki.
“I hit the ball well today. I hit a lot of greens this week. I didn’t have many 3-putts,” he added. “But this Kanawaki, it’s a tough little bugger. It looks like you can get after it, but it gets after you. It’s a wonderful place to host a championship.”
With the win, Eliott earns an exemption into the 2018 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Ore., from August 25th to 30th.
He’s also committed to returning to Canada to defend his title at next year’s Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, which will take place September 4-7 at Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club in Bathurst, N.B.
“I can’t wait to get to New Brunswick,” he laughed. “I have no idea where it is or how to get there, but I’ll be there.”
Hanzel, who finished runner-up, never could get things on the right track during Thursday. His 5-over round of 75 included four bogeys, a double bogey and just a single birdie.
A trio of Americans tied for third. Allen Barber of Yorktown, VA, Paul Simson of Raleigh, NC and Jack Hall of Savannah, GA, all finished at 7-over (287).
Doug Roxburgh, an honored member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, was the top Canadian finisher. The Vancouver native finished tied for 6th at 8-over (288). Roxburgh won the Canadian Junior Boy’s Championship in 1970 and Canadian Amateur titles in 1972, 1974, 1982 and 1988. He also claimed the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship in 2014.
Additional information, including complete scoring info for the 2017 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship can be found here.
Doug Hanzel takes 3-shot lead into final round of Canadian Men’s Senior Championship
KAHNAWAKE, Que. – Doug Hanzel edged closer to winning his first Canadian Men’s Senior title on Wednesday, firing his third straight even par 70 at Kanawaki Golf Cub to take a 3-shot lead heading into tomorrow’s final round.
Following his round today, the Savannah, GA, native gave credit to dialed-in approach shots and club selection off the tee for the lead.
“I could have gone really low on the front nine today; I hit it close to a few pins and made a couple of short putts for birdie to get a couple under early,” said Hanzel, who won the U.S. Senior Amateur title in 2013. “The back was pretty uneventful; I hit it decent. Game plan for tomorrow is to keep doing the same – only hit a couple drivers. You don’t need to hit drivers much here. I went with a lot of rescues and 3-woods and plan on doing the same again.”
Hanzel, who is sitting at even par (210), was the low amateur at the U.S. Senior Open in 2011 and 2012.
Trailing Hanzel by three-shots is Gene Elliott of West Des Moines, IA. The American carded the low round of the tournament Wednesday, a 4-under 66, to climb 14 spots into second at 3 over. (213).
Two additional Americans round out to the top 3. Buzz Fly of Memphis and Paul Simson of Raleigh, N.C., hold a share of third at 4-over (214).
The winner of this year’s championship will earn an exemption into the 2018 U.S. Men’s Senior Amateur Championship at Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Ore., from August 25th to 30th.
The Canadian Senior Men’s Championship continues Thursday with the final round beginning at 8 a.m. EDT.
Additional information, including tee times, for the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship can be found here.
Team Alberta wins provincial title at Canadian Men’s Senior Championship
KAHNAWAKE, Que. – The second round of the 2017 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship concluded Thursday at Kanawaki Golf Club with Team Alberta emerging as provincial team champions.
The trio of Frank Van Dornick (Camrose, Alta.), Brian Laubman (Edmonton) and Ken Griffith (Red Deer, Alta.) posted a combined second-round score of 1-over 141 to capture the Phil Farley Trophy with a total of 283 (+3).
The squad finished 12-strokes ahead of runner-up Team British Columbia, which was comprised of Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Doug Roxburgh (Vancouver), John Gallacher (Burnaby, BC) and Greg Bismeyer (Mission, B.C.) The team had a two-day total of 295 (+15).
Team Quebec and Team Manitoba finished at 299 (+19) to share third. Quebec’s team was comprised of François Bissonnette (Mirabel, Que.), Danny Turbide (Québec City) and Peter Harrison (Ottawa). Mike Walker (Winnipeg), Garth Collings (Matlock, Man.) and Brent Clague (Winnipeg) represented Manitoba.
In the 65-and-over Super Senior Division, Paul Simson of Raleigh, NC., claimed a one-shot victory over Lance Lundy of Pemberton, B.C. Simpson carded matching rounds of 71 to finish at 2-over 142 for the victory. With the Super Senior title under his belt, the 65-year-old will now set his sights on another trophy.
“The conditions were a little more difficult today and the wind was blowing, which caused some problems,” said Simson, who in 2010 made history by becoming the first person to win the British, U.S. and Canadian senior titles in the same year. “But I’ll take the win. It’s always nice to win something. I’m going to focus over the next two rounds and hopefully I can take home the Senior title, too.”
Lance Lundy of Pemberton, B.C., was leading the Super Senior category after the first round at even-par, but a 3-over 73 dropped him into second at 3-over 143.
Frank Van Dornick of Camrose, Alta., finished third at 4-over 144.
Doug Hanzel of Savannah, GA, took the overall lead in the Senior Division. He’s even for the championship at 140.
“I was very steady all the way around,” said Hanzel, who is the lone player not over par. “I hit 16 greens in regulation today. The greens are tough, you need to nail the speed and the line. But I’ve been putting the ball in good spots. If you don’t, you have some work left to make par.”
Simson and Brian Laubman of Edmonton share second at 2-over 142.
A total of 71 players finished 155-or-better to advance past the 36-hole cut. The third round will begin Wednesday at 8 a.m. EDT.
The winner of this year’s championship will earn an exemption into the 2018 U.S. Men’s Senior Amateur Championship at Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Ore., from August 25th to 30th.
Additional information, including tee times, for the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship can be found here.
Allen Barber takes opening-round lead at Canadian Men’s Senior Championship
KAHNAWAKE, Que. – Allen Barber of Yorktown, Va., fired a blazing 3-under-par 67 Monday to take the opening-round lead at the 2017 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship at Kanawaki Golf Club.
Barber was the lone competitor to break par (70) at Kanawaki on Monday. Following his round, he credited his strategy for tackling Kanawaki’s treacherous greens and some solid putting for the stellar start.
“The golf course is really, really good. One of the best I’ve played and it’s in pristine shape,” said Barber. “But those greens are really tough. My plan for the day was to hit fairways and leave it below the hole. I did that and thankfully I putted well on those greens, too.”
Barber has been enjoying a great summer of competitive amateur golf. He’s amassed four top-5 finishes including a T4 at the prestigious Senior Porter Cup.
Four players trail Barber after carding even-par 70s. Buzz Fly of Memphis, Brady Exber of Las Vegas, Doug Hanzel of Savannah, GA and Lance Lundy of Pemberton, B.C., all share second heading into Tuesday’s round.
Lundy leads the Super Senior (65 years +) Division by a single-shot over 2010 Canadian Senior Champion Paul Simson of Raleigh, N.C., after a 71. Another shot back is Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Graham Cooke. The Hudson, Que., native, who celebrated his 71st birthday Monday, shot a 2-over 72. Cooke is a four-time winner of the senior title (2001, 2002, 2008 & 2009).
Following the opening two rounds, the field will be reduced to the low 70 players and ties. Also contested over the tournament’s first two rounds is an inter-provincial team competition.
Team Alberta, comprised of Frank Van Dornick of Camrose, Brian Laubman of Edmonton and Ken Griffith of Red Deer hold the lead after combining for a score of 142 (+2). Team Quebec and Team British Columbia are tied for second five shots back at 147 (+7).
Additional information, including full scores from the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship can be here.