Golf
Dramatic Finish
The PC Financial Open was held for it’s second consecutive year at the Point Grey Golf and Country Club, but this one had a dramatic finish as all were chasing prize money worth $175,000.
The championship saw it finish in the third playoff hole as Drew Weaver defeated local golfer Adam Svensson winning this years title.
The champion saw a a five player playoff marking an incredible four days of professional golf for the CPGA tour kicking off the 2015 season.
The final round was amazing and the organizers could have not asked for anything better, given the size of the crowds that were in attendance over the four days.
As the tournament concluded their second year, five golfers were tied and a playoff was needed to decide the overall winner.
Weaver sank a five foot putt narrowly defeating Svensson bringing a conclusion to four great four days for Canadian golfers as only twelve (12) made the final cut on Friday to advance to play on Sunday.
San Jose’s Jay Meyers sat 10 under and the rest of the field was chasing him, but only a shot ahead of Canadians Bryn Parry (North Vancouver), Adam Svensson (Vancouver) and Drew Weaver the eventual winner in the playoffs.
Ty Dunlap from Trophy Club was a couple of shots ahead of Comox BC’s Riley Wheeldon, Logan McCracken (Oklahoma City) and Kevin Vanden Heuvel from Houston.
Four additional players were 4 shots back at minus 7 that included Adam Cornelson (Langley) and West Van’s Sean Harlingten.
The weather on Sunday was clear with a slight a breeze that seemed to cool things making the shots in the fairways more crisp, carrying the ball farther on the greens.
Entering the final day the leader was Richmond Hill’s Taylor Pendrith (12-under) as he waited for the rest of the field to finish.
What a finish indeed as two other Canadians Riley Wheeldon (Comox) and Adam Svensson (Vancouver) drained birdie putts on the 18th only to be followed by Weaver (eventual champion) and Orlando’s Ross Beal as the five were all tied at 12-under after 72 holes.
They went to the 18th on the first playoff hole as Svensson and Weaver birded their putts, while Wheeldon, Pendrith and Beal were eliminated leaving just Weaver and Svensson to battle it out.
On the second hole they matched each other (again) and headed to the 1st tee for the third extra hole that saw both golfers hit excellent shots on the fairway, while Svensson found the back of the green.
Weavers shot from the bunker was five feet from the pin and Svensson also five after chipping on the green from the fringe.
The drama continued as Weaver drained his birdie putt to winning the title as Svensson narrowly missed sending it to the lip of the cup having to settle for second spot, in what was great finish for the tournament.
The presentation was made on the 18th green by CPGA President Jeff Mundy to the 2015 champion Drew Weaver.
The trophy and a check for 31,500.00, while the other players in the playoff tied after 72 holes each received 11,500.00 for four day’s of pro golf.
The new tour Sponsor is McKenzie Financial signed a three-year deal for the Canadian PGA allowing them to market the game and expand the programs that are currently in place.
Last years finish was great but to have a finish like this on year two does wonders for the game and opens the doors for out young players to qualify and make it for players to succeed as the sport grows.
The “First-Tee” are very proud of this venture that goes hand in hand with the tournament enabling young golfers and families to play this great game and have fun while doing it and making it affordable for them to enjoy.
Thanks to PC Financial for their assistance given to Sportswave over the course of the four day’s of the tournament.