Golf
Hadwin Wins VGT
Clearly a fan favourite entering this event was Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford. His last few games have been impressive and to watch and in reality there seems to be no end to where he will end up.
On a day where Golf Hall of Fame members Raymond Floyd (69) and Tom Watson (62) celebrate birthday’s, Adam’s special day is November 2nd and he was quick to mention he’s got lot’s of time left as he’s still young. No question he has pressure on him, given the illness of someone close in his Family.
In conversation with other media members, it was felt that overall he is handling this pressure in a professional manner. He played the first two rounds shooting a 65 and entered the final day as the overall leader.
He was impressed with the course conditions at all three courses and mentioned “overall the staff have done a great job on each course”. While he had the lead it might have been the wait that threw his and other golfers timing off.
The scheduled tee time was set for 14:04 as per the sheet, but in reality they never got to tee of until close to 14:30 pm. His first six holes on the third round were under or even par, but the 7th and 8th holes were something he would have liked to have over. The 7th hole he was two over par and the 8th hole he was one over.
The 7th saw his frustration take over, probably putting him off his game as he approached the next hole. The front nine saw him sitting at one over par at a 37.Anyone that plays this sport understands how it’s important to stay focused at all times and for one split second, the game’s out of reach.
He started the back nine at 11 under with his closest competitor sitting at a -9 and closing. In the third round his front nine saw him manage 3 Birdie’s, 7 Par’s, 2 Bogey’s and 1 Double Bogey or worse.
While Adam seems frustrated with his game on a couple of holes in the front nine, he never let it bother him.
He did tell me “my front nine was not what I wanted, but I needed to settle down and play my game and that’s what I did in the last nine”.
In conversation with some of the Amateur’s they told me “my goal was to make the cut and I did, so I am happy. I have no regrets and plan on playing again next year”.
Different comments from Amateur’s to Pro’s and all are quite unique. The last few holes proved intriguing to the throngs of fan’s that stuck around to watch a possible future Olympic Golfer.
He clearly could be one of two playing in the Olympics’ in 2016.Golf has been on the Olympic programme only twice since the start.
Golf was first introduced to the world in 1900 and then in 1904. At the 1900 Games in Paris, two (2) events were staged with one for both men and one for women. Americans Margaret Ives Abbott and Charles Edward Sands were the first Olympic champions in the two events.
In 1904 in St Louis, the women’s event was replaced by a team event which many questioned at that time, but since then it’s a game that’s on the rebound.
In 1904 Canada’s George Seymour Lyon won Gold in the games that took place in St. Louis, while Burt McKinnie took Silver in both individual events.
The highlight on the final day of the VGT was having Adam and Brad play an extra hole on 18 due to a tie on what was close to the last shot. The extra hole played in almost darkness, but no one left.
Other foursomes and spectators alike stayed to watch this exciting finish.
The 2011 VGT has a host of sponsors to thank, one being the title sponsor Paine Edmonds Lawyers and Brad Garside Personal Lawyers who have supported this for the past five years. In the photo is Brad Garside and Fraser Mulhulland, with Adam Hadwin in the middle.
Several local golfers including Randy Parnell won various prizes and while no Amateur won the big prize, I don’t think anyone expected to!!