HISTORY OF THE BC OPEN AND OTHER PROVINCIAL OPENS
An examination of the BC golf records showed the first BC Open occurred in 1928. Research in the early 1990’s uncovered an earlier BC Open Championship played in conjunction with the 1926 BC Men’s amateur Championship at Jericho CC. BC lagged behind Washington, Oregon, and the PNGA in conducting an Open BC championship where professionals and amateurs could compete on an equal basis in a medal competition. In 1926 under the persistent pressure from Dave Ayton, the Point Grey professional, and Sunny Chiene, the 1925 British Columbia Golf Association (BCGA) President, the BCGA agreed to host an open competition in conjunction with the BC Amateur at Jericho.
The tournament received rave reviews from the Seattle P-I newspaper, the Canadian golfer Magazine, and the Northwest Golfer Magazine for the professional manor in which the BCGA conducted the event. QUOTES The Northwest Golfer Magazine described the Open as “no finer exhibition of golf has ever been witnessed anywhere than that marked the two days play in the Open championship.” Registering a 73 for his first trip around the newly renovated and expanded Jericho links, this young Seattle links man Bon Stein set the pass for the event. The 1925 BC Amateur champion, Stein, followed with 3 – 74’s. Although he maintained pass throughout the 72 holes over the seaside and inland links Stein could never rise to the championship. Neil Christian, the youthful professional from the Yakima GC and the 1926 Washington State Open champion staved off all competitors. Bon did win the Men’s Amateur championship.
With the high praises from all competitors and spectators one would surmise the beginning of a long-lasting event. This did not happen.
The BCGA Years 1926 – 1930
1928 for some reason the BCGA did not hold an event in 1927. The BCGA hosted the championship at the Shaughnessy Heights GC, the home of the Blacks – Dave head professional and his son Ken, an upcoming superstar amateur. Seventy-two holes of medal play with 36 holes on each day September 20th and 21st. The BCGA managed to raise $600 in prize money for the professionals and attractive prizes for the amateurs. Only BC professionals and amateurs from BCGA member clubs could participate. Bettors chose the Royals, the Black family and the Taylor family as the likely winners. Davie black, head professional at Shaughnessy did not disappoint his supporters. He shot 77-72-72-71 (292) to win $200. He had earlier won the WA state Open and the Pacific Northwest Open. Dunc Sutherland, the newly appointed Point Grey professional from the Edmonton CC followed 13 stokes back with 305.
1929 Phil Taylor, head professional at the Victoria GC and the second half of the ‘Royals” hosted the event. Seventy-seven players participated in the event over the ocean side links Victoria GC. The bettors predicted the one of the youthful marvels from the Canadian Men’s Amateur at Jasper could top the high-class professional field. Phil, known in the pro circles as Mr. consistency uncorked some of the prettiest golf ever seen on BC fairways shooting identical nines of 32. This 64 built an unbeatable lead for him. Finishing the tourney at 278 Taylor defeated the second half of the Royals, Davie Black by nine stokes.
1930 Shaughnessy golfers had a big day on Friday September 12th over Dunc Sutherland’s Point Grey course. Davie Black, former 4-time winner of the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association championship, copped the BC Open crown, son Kenny won low net and Jack Fraser, one of the top Shaughnessy amateurs won the amateur low gross.
Formation of the British Columbia Professional Golfers’ Association (BCPGA)
In 1930 the BCGA no longer wanted to raise the necessary funding for the professional purse in the BC Open.The BCGA notified the local professionals their association would no longer stage the BC Open. In order for the BC Open to survive the local professionals must form an association. Under the leadership of Davie Black, Shaughnessy Heights GC, and Dunc Sutherland, Point Grey G&CC, the local professionals decided to form their own association. The two founders were joined by Walter Gravlin, Uplands GC; Jimmy Huish, Marine Drive; Phil Taylor, Victoria, Alex Duthie, Jericho; Nat Cornfoot, Langara; Art Shepherd, Quilchena; Fred Bruns, Macauly Point; Bill Barr, Langara; Bill Heyworth, Hastings; and Maurice Boxall. Powell River at Point Grey for the initial meeting of the BCPGA. Alex Duthie moved and Jimmy seconded the yearly dues would be $5.00 for professionals and $2.00 for assistants payable each March 1. The next order of business was to operate and fund the BC Open. The Association maintained the same rule as the BCGA – only professionals and amateurs from a BC golf club would be eligible to participate.
BC Open BCPGA Years. 1931 – 1993
In 1931 the Open returned to Vancouver Island at the Uplands GC. The question on all the predictors “Could someone upset the Royals from raising the Open crown? After 36 holes the crown could be won by several competitors Taylor stood in his usual position on top but closely challenged. By Ken Black and newly arrived Don Sutherland the Vancouver GC professional But Mr, Consistency finished the final 36 in record fashion winning by 9 strokes over Don Sutherland.
1932 The BC Open returned to the 1926 venue, the Jericho CC., a links and inland combination of challenging holes. The competitors played the most spectacular golf seen by the spectators in any BC Open to date. A mammoth struggle between Ken Black, Davie Black, Phil Taylor and Don Sutherland enthralled the crowd over the afternoon final eighteen holes. Ken had the opportunity to run off with the title, but putting lapses enabled the three combatants to remain close. Nevertheless, the youthful amateur, Ken held off the 3 professionals to become the first amateur to win the BC Open. The young long hitting amateur Stan Leonard finished third. Stan would become a five-time future winner of the BC Open. Ken was the 1st amateur to win the BC Open title.
1933 The sentimental favourite for the 1933 crown Don Sutherland, the host club professional, gallantly attempted to dislodge a Royal from the title. Sinking a 60-foot putt and a 30-foot putt Don fell short of Phil Taylor for the crown. Phil posted his usual steady rounds of 70-73-70-70 to maintain the Royals’ domination of the BC Open championship.
1934 Shooting the round of his life, Uplands Bob Morrison, 1934 BC Willingdon Cup member, shot a course record 69 over the host Royal Colwood G&CC course, but don Sutherland took the opportunity to show the BC golf community he was ready to supplant the Royals as BC Open champion. He shot steady golf over the demanding Macan designed Colwood course shooting 72-74-74-71. The Royals never won another BC Open title.
1935 – 1939 Fred Wood Years
1935 The greens at the Quilchena course on Arbutus defeated all competitors except one in the 1935 Open. With his unique putting style Fed conquered the slippery, velvet surfaces. Exhibiting a flawless style, Fred Wood shot 71- 75 in the first two rounds and then lapped the field in the final 36 shooting 69-70 for a 285 total. His whopping 12 stroke margin left Stan Leonard and Dunc Sutherland far behind.
1936 The 1936 Jubilee Open Champion, Ken Black, at Shaughnessy earlier in the year was rated as the best chance to win the Open crown for a second time. Two hot shot amateurs , not Ken, controlled the 1936 BC Open. Three days prior to the tournament at Marine Drive, Russ Case, a Marine member, told a group of patrons in a Pender Street coffee shop to place their bets on him. Well Russ almost did not win. With stan Leonard on a birdie binge and scoring an eagle in the final round, Case felt extreme pressure on the final nine, but he held on to win by one stroke. Stan, who began to gain a reputation as Mr. Excitement, finished second.
1937 The 1937 BC Open returned to its 1929 location, the Victoria GC. All eyes focused on Stan Leonard who won the prestigious Pacific Northwest Open earlier in August as an amateur. With the NW crown win under his belt, Stan decided to turn professional. A left-handed hitting amateur exhibited strong nerves and an uncanny ability to perform under pressure. Shooting a final round 66 over his home course ,Jimmy Todd added the BC Open crown to his earlier Victoria City Championship. Poor Stan, in his first BC Open as a professional, finished 2nd 3 strokes back.
1938 The 1938 Open finally became a truly “open” event. The BCPGA dropped the residency requirement that only BC professionals and amateurs associated with a BC golf club could participate. Now every golfer living anywhere could have an opportunity to be crowned the Open champion. Immediately the pacific northwest professionals registered for the tournament. Ken Tucker from Everett made the trek northward. The BCPGA still assumed all costs. Fred Wood, admittedly the best shot-maker in the province, held the lead after 54 holes. Fred, the reigning Alberta Open champion, sat tied with Leonard after 60 holes. Then Wood found his groove shooting three consecutive birdies to leave the pack behind him. Leonard slipped to 73 on the Shaughnessy Heights course where he had caddied as youngster. Fred won his 2nd title.
1939 Wet soggy cold weather dominated the ’39 event at Victoria. The best “mudders’” turned out to be Vancouver’s top rated professional Fred Wood. And the sentimental favourite Stan “the man”. Again, Stan could not overcome his nemesis Fred Wood. Wood became the first successive champion. Stan finished in his usual 2nd position for the fifth consecutive time.
1940 – 1945 The War Years Event cancelled.
1946 – 1954 The Congdon – Leonard Duels
Finding sufficient funds for the BC Open always proved challenging for the Professional Association. From 1946 – 1957 the professionals throughout the province.raised the funds using punch boards in their shops. When golfers patronized the local pro shops to register to play, the players had the opportunity to participate in the punch board. For $1 the player received 4 chances on the punch board to win prizes usually top-grade golf balls. All profits, after paying the full price to the professional for the prizes, went towards financing the annual BC Open.
In 1946 Billy Thompson, an Edmonton school teacher retired to Vancouver. He instantly renewed his friendship with Dunc Sutherland. Dunc immediately convinced him to become the secretary-treasurer of the BCPGA. Billy devoted countless hours to the Association until he retired in the early 1970’s. He undertook all tasks associated with the Association on a seven-day week schedule. It was not unusual for him to do the secretarial work during the day, attend board meetings and committee meetings in the evenings. On weekends he assisted with the local pro-ams, the BC Open and the Vancouver City Match play. At the tournaments Billy was a fixture attached to the scoreboards.
Over the next decade Chuck Congdon, the Tacoma Country and Golf club professional and Marine Drive’s Stan Leonard waged battles over BC’s finest golf courses in search of the coveted BC Open title. During this period Stan dominated the CPGA Championship. He became the face of professional golf in Canada. The two combatants treated the BC golfing community to some memorable battles keeping the crowds in suspense until the final nine holes.
1946 The difficult Royal Colwood GC hosted the first Open after the War. Experience in competitive golf circles proved to be the winning edge for this event. Stan had worked for Boeing at Sea Island during the War. He had little opportunity to maintain his competitive edge during this period. On the other hand, Chuck maintained his edge by playing in fund-raising pro events in Florida and California. Although both pros shot their first three rounds under 71, Congdon’s competitive experience gave him a 2 shot lead into the final round. Chuck fashioned a business like 68 to win by 3 stokes over Leonard.
1947 In 1947 Jock McKinnon invited the northwest pros to his mountain side course Capilano G&CC. Over the life of the Open championship Capilano only hosed the event this single year. A record 109 players from Canada and the US pacific coast descended upon the Stanley Thompson gem. Strangely only five players broke par in the opening round. The strange slopes on the hillside challenged the top professionals. Leonard who probably knew the course better than any player in the field shot 66. Fighting for his first BC Open crown, after posting six runners-up, Stan annihilated par after two rounds. But Chuck lay close behind ready to upset the crowd favourite. Stan did not disappoint the biased crowd. He finally won his first BC Open title by two strokes over his nemesis Chuck Congdon.
1948Again the Quilchena links probably won the Open as it had in 1937. The slogan, Nightmare Alley” best described the challenges faced by Stan. A winding string of fairways that stretched from the 13th to the 18th green will be remembered as Stan’s personal nightmare. Along this stretch of fairways, Stan had his worst experience in any BC Open. He stumbled, collapsed, and blew himself out of contention in his bid to repeat as champion. Congdon swing showed great discipline won his second consecutive title.
1949 Can you imagine a star filled field composed of a former Canadian Open Champion, a former Canadian Amateur Champion, a former USGA Amateur Champion, a former USGA Publinx Champion, and a former Canadian Junior Champion? Well, the 1949 field at Point Grey G&CC had all these stars competing. But one star shone brighter than all others. Playing absolutely perfect golf, Stan Leonard annihilated the field of champions. After being awarded the winner’s cheque, Stan commented, ”This tournament was the best four rounds of golf I have ever played. He finished 70-68-65-68 (271) to win by a whopping 19 strokes over Fred Wood. Stan had gone from his worst nightmare in 1948 at Quilchena to his best ever tournament to date. That’s golf.
1950 At Marine Drive, where he served the membership as the head professional Stan delighted the members with a closing 71 to win by two strokes over Chuck Congdon.
1951 The BCPGA added a new twist to the provincial open championship in 1951. Reg and Roy Stone convinced the pros to move the provincial open championship to the Rossland-Trail GC where Cominco would assume all the costs. This was the only occasion when a nine-hole course hosted the BC Open. The locals had watched the northwest pros play in previous Rossland – Trail Opens; but this event raised the quality of play to a new level. But the duel of Stan Leonard and Chuck Congdon prevailed. The greying Chuck Congdon, the Tacoma professional headed home with all the marbles beating Leonard, his usual foe, by one stroke.
1952 Would the Shaughnessy Heights golf course be as kind to Chuck in 1952 as it had been in 1948 when he won Canada’s national professional golf championship – the prestigious Canadian Open. Chuck prevailed again over the Shaughnessy fairways winning his fourth BC Open crown. His perennial rival Stan “the Man” completed the event 3 strokes back at 279.
1953 At Quilchena It came as no surprise to the spectators when Chuck Congdon won his fifth crown (third in a row). Chuck proved he was the best in the northwest. The final round developed into a three-way affair for second position Leonard shot 68 to preserve his runner-up status, a position he held for the previous three years.
1954 To attempt to attract additional spectators, the BCPGA moved the event to the Thanksgiving weekend. The committee also reduced the championship to a 54-hole event. The pros increased the prize money to $1500. After 54 holes four players tied at 210: Doug Bajus and John Langford joined the usual duel of Stan Leonard and Chuck Congdon. In order to recoup some of its losses, the Association decided to hold an 18-hole playoff the next day. Eight hundred patrons saw some brilliant golf over the Quilchena layout. Bajus and Congdon shot 73; Leonard and Langford posted 72’s. Leonard prevailed on the second playoff hole. The Leonard-Congdon series now stood at four titles for Leonard to five titles for Congdon.
The Golddiggers arrive in ’55
1955 When the USGA awarded the 1955 US Open to the Olympic club in San Francisco, prominent golfers in Vancouver began circulating the idea that Vancouver should host a PGA Gold Trail event. Soon others in the northwest proposed the idea of an Evergreen Tour with stops in Vancouver, Seattle, Spokane, and Portland. Mr. LLG Bentley, the chairman of BC Forest Products, agreed to underwrite the $25,000 cost for the tournament. The tournament came to fruition on Sept 3-7 at the Shaughnessy Heights golf course. During the practice rounds discussion arose; “Would any player be able to eclipse Ken Black’s final round 63 in the 1936 Vancouver Jubilee PGA tour event.” Note: Ken’s win as an amateur was the first time an amateur had won a PGA Tour event. With an estimated 6000 watching the final round, young Dow Finsterwald came home with a 65 for a three round total to win. Vancouver’s star Stan Leonard could not compete because he suffered a fractured ankle in a painting accident the week prior to the tournament.
1956 At age 48 with an ailing back, perennial champion Chuck Congdon had every right to be tired on the rough Point Grey course. But he and young, hotshot amateur Ron Willey tied. A sudden death play-off would have been in order. To help salvage the tournament loses, Congdon graciously volunteered to play an eighteen-hole play-off the next day. Crawford, the much younger player, likely would have been successful in a sudden death play-off. In the play-off the experienced revitalized Congdon capitalized on a couple of errors by Crawford to win by two strokes. This was Chuck Congdon’s final BC Open victory. (6 titles in a decade)
The British Columbia Golf Association ran the BC Open 1957 – 1960
1957 Vancouver’s newest hotshot professional won the rain shortened 1957 BC Open at the Vancouver GC. Bill Mawhinney, an old hand at winning money events , had never won the Open crown. He completed the two rounds in 140. Another young future pro Vancouver pro star, Ron Willey, finished second.
The BC Centennial Open at Point Grey G&CC
In 1958 the BC Open became for one year the BC Centennial Open, a $50,000 event sponsored by the BCGA and the BCPGA. Keith Mathews, the Vancouver News Herald Sports Editor, and Leroy Goldsworthy, the Point Grey professional had total control of the event on behalf of the government. The government supplied centennial funding for this main event, but also funded regional centennial golf tournaments throughout the province. The committee operated the event as id it were a full PGA tour stop.
1958 The tournament was scheduled for 4 rounds, but Jim Ferree (Ferrier) basically decided he would be champion in the second round. Ferree who had found his first tqo seasons on the PGa tour difficult with only 45,500 earned. But on Friday August 29th he had the round all professional golfers dream about. Jim posted a record breaking 11-under par 61 to lead the field by 4 strokes. Over the final two rounds Billy Casper, Ken Venturi, Dow Finsterwald, and local hero Stan Leonard attempted to over come Ferree’s lead with no success.
1959 The two combatants from the 1956 BC Open met again. This time, however, Lyle Crawford turned the tables on Chuck Congdon, to win his only BC Open title.
1960 The croquet style putter called “The Dude” dominated the talk around the Marine Drive GC. Was this style of putting while straddling the line of the putt legal? When the putting method appeared on the PGA Tour, the USGA ruled the style legal, but by 1967 the governing body changed the ruling. Croquet style players changed to a side-saddle method. Using his “Dude” putter effectively, Bob Duden toured the course in 68-69-64-67 to win going away. Using his unique putting stroke, he was the only player in the 113-man field to score all four rounds in the 60’s. In the 72 holes he one putted 28 greens. Spectators lined up at his car, to purchase this new innovative putter.
Chilliwack BC Open
Due to annual losses running the BC Open, the BCGA informed the BCPGA in January 1961 they would be cancelling the event for 1961. In the spring of 1962, things looked very bleak for the event. Local companies told the BCPGA their advertising budgets were fixed for 1961. “Then out of the clear blue sky, Billy received a call from Roy Gleig, the professional at the newly opened Chilliwack GC. Roy was one of the founding members and given the task of general manager/ professional for the club. Roy felt that if his club could host the Open the exposure from the event would give the club some favourable feedback to help generate membership sales and public play. He not only offered the facilities, but also guaranteed to underwrite a two thousand dollar purse.” The Association immediately accepted the offer and instantly set the tournament date. Roy enlisted the assistance of one of the well-known highly respected golf agents Dunc Mackenzie to assist him. The event was a huge success, broke even, and paid out all the prize money.
Unfortunately, a tragic incident decided the outcome at Chilliwack. A gal leaving the event gnashed her car gears, skidded her wheels in loose gravel and completely broke Congdon’s concentration on the final putt of the event. Congdon lost his bid for his seventh title losing to Bob Duden. The “Dude” repeated Bob’s successful putting exhibition.
In 1962 under Jock McKinnon’s leadership the BCPGA agreed to join the CPGA. Hence forward the BC professionals became known as the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association of British Columbia. In 1964 the BC Open joined the Canadian Tour where the national body guaranteed the sponsorship money.
The Chilliwack sponsorship for the BC Open was only for one year. In 1962 it was necessary to find another company or individual willing to offer $5,000 for the BC Open “This time it was Fred Wood, the professional at Shaughnessy G&CC, who came to the rescue. He indicated one of his members, Jack Sim, would consider in sponsoring the event. Immediately Bill Thompson convened a meeting at the Devonshire Hotel to discuss the details. The two struck a deal. After the meetings Bill contacted Dunc Mackenzie, who had done such a fantastic job at Chilliwack asking him to be the 1962 tournament chairman. Dunc began his long relationship with the BC Open. Jack Sim represented the Tooke-Van Heusen clothing company.
Tooke Van Heusen 1962 – 1963
1962 Stan Leonard’s revival characterized the ’62 Open at Shaughnessy. Forced into a sudden death play-off by Spokane’s Rod Funseth’s closing 2 under par 70, Leonard hit a crowd pleasing sparkling 40-yard wedge into the cup to capture the $1000 pay cheque. Stan’s 7-year drought at the Open ended.
1963 Stan Leonard stepped down gracefully from his BC throne. But amazingly he did not relinquish his crown to a young, northwest hotshot. Indeed, 52 year old, Al Feldman from Tacoma won on the second sudden death hole. But Stan lost to another strange putter. Al had been putting poorly through the entire season. Walter Dagg, a local putter designer, encouraged Al to try his new croquet style putter in a practice round. Walter’s croquet putter had a straight shaft unlike “The Dude” that had a bent shaft. Al’s putting immediately improved. Al credited his success to Dagg’s new croquet putter. Immediately, local golfers wanted the new putter. Dagg’s sales boomed.
1964 The 29-year old, Fircrest GC professional, Ken Still won the event over a tough, testy Vancouver GC course. Feldman came close again using his trusty Dagg putter. Still shot steady rounds of 70-69 the first two days. He closed with another 69 to win his first professional event defeating Feldman by one stroke.
The Carling Brewery Years “Beginning of the Canadian Tour” 1965 – 1970
1965 The 1965 Open at the Vancouver GC opened with sadness. Chuck Congdon, the man who electrified BC golfers for over twenty-five years, had recently passed away. In his memory, Vancouver Sun newspaper donated a trophy, the Chuck Congdon Trophy, to be awarded each year to the winner of the BC Open. Fittingly, Al Mengert, the cool pro who replaced Congdon at the Tacoma C&GC, won the event. The good guy in the white hat was local hero John Johnston, from Marine Drive who gallantly tried to upset Mengert. The biggest winner of the event was the new sponsor Carling because of the s tremendous support for the event.
1966 Steady golf by an aging professional characterized the ’66 Open at Point Grey. Displaying a new putter, old-timer Al Feldman used his trusty weapon to subdue all the young professionals. At age 54 Al became the oldest player to win the Open crown. Unfortunately, the tournament showed no fireworks or spectacular golf shot. Carling left somewhat disappointed by the lack lustre affair.
1967 At Marine Drive Carling left elated. No one could have predicted the fairy-tale script that unfolded. Two Marine Drive, Stan Leonard, the former club professional and John Johnston, past Canadian Amateur champion, dueled toe to toe over a course each knew like the back of their hand. John added another feather to his illustrious amateur career. At the commencement of the final round both combatants stood level. Despite the fact Stan had posed a sparkling 66 then a 68. The spectators prepared themselves for an epic duel. John, the steady amateur went one up after four holes, two up after five holes and three up after seven. He maintained his edge throughout the final eighteen winning by three after the fireworks ended. The 40-year old, real estate executive, became the first amateur to win since Jim Todd in 1937. He joined a select group of amatuers who won the BC Open to date. These included: Ken Black, Russ Case, Jim Todd.
1968 The Carling Brewery established the Canadian tour to provide young Canadian golf professionals an opportunity to hone their skills under competitive conditions to prepare them for the PGA Tour. The promising young Canadian professional from Gorge Vale used his win at the BC Open to convince himself to try to qualify for the Gold Trail. The $2,000 cheque raised his earnings to $5,000 on the Canadian Tour. As an added incentive this year’s winner of a Canadian Tour event gave Bill a berth in the rich Alcan Tournament in Great Britain. With 3000 hometown fans encouraging him, Wakeham defeated tour regulars Moe Norman, the Homeniuks, Al Mengert, Al Feldman, and Bob Duden shooting 203.
1968 The Carling Brewery established the Canadian tour to provide young Canadian professional golfers an opportunity to hone their skills under competitive conditions to prepare them for the PGA Tour. The promising young Canadian professional from Gorge Vale, Bill Wakeham, used his 1968 win at the BC Open to convince himself to attempt to qualify for the Gold Trail. The $2,000 cheque raised his earnings to $5,000 for the season. As an added incentive this year’s winner of a Canadian Tour event gave Bill a berth in the rich Alcan Tournament in Great Britain. With 3000 hometown fans encouraging him. Bill defeated tour regulars Moe Norman, the Homeniuks, Al Mengert, Al Feldman, and Bob Duden shooting 203.
1969 The Victoria golf community anxiously supported the event at Uplands hoping their local hero Bill Wakeham could repeat as champion. 4000 watched the final round cheering Bill’s every shot. He did not disappoint the locals. Shooting a final round 66 two ahead of Ken Fulton and amateur Pat Fitzsimmons.
1970 Carling Breweries raised the 1970 BC Open at the Richmond CC to major league status. $15,000 waited for the champion. With the significant increase in prize money came an excellent crop of touring professionals off the elite PGA Gold Trail. The BC Open offered these young professionals the opportunity to add to their touring expense account. Bud Allin, a Bremerton WA and California golf professional, thrilled the gallery of 4000 with a blazing eagle on the final hole to win by 2 strokes. He later won 5 times on the PGA tour. He became the first professional from outside the northwest to win the BC Open.
The Peter Jackson Years 1971 – 1977
1971 The sponsorship of the Canadian tour changed hands in 1971. The shot that echoed around the Marine Drive golf course on the final day of the ’71 would be recalled for years to come. As the last pair of competitors approached the green on the 18th 393-yard par 4 hole, the crowd seemed divided between Wayne Vollmer, a Marine Drive member and Billy Wakeham, Victoria past champion. Vollmer needed a birdie to join a playoff with Tom Nettles of San Diego, Moe Norman, and Scott Keenlyside, an amateur from the Valley. Wakeham played first, placing his second about fifteen feet from the hole on the green. Then came Vollmer. Estimating about 85 yards lay between him and the hole, he pulled his trusty Golfcraft sand wedge. Wayne stroked the wedge normally straight at the pin. He had played this shot many times as a junior and amateur at Marine. The ball landed on the green and began running straight towards the cup. The 4000 fans began to cheer and increased the volume as the ball crept closer to the pin. As the cheering reached its zenith, the ball dropped into the cup. A frenzy erupted. His supporters raised Wayne onto their shoulders and slowly proceeded to the green. Vollmer’s 2 vaulted him into the winners’ circle.
Even today fifty years later this shot will be mentioned as one of the highlites of the old Canadian Golf tour. As time has past, more and more people reminisce by saying they saw the shot.
1972 The greens at the Vancouver GC proved to be the real winners of the ’72 Open. Terry Small, a husky US collegiate champion, made the final round a one man show. His outstanding putting display illustrated he had conquered the tricky greens. With over 5,000 spectators following him on the final day, Small won by four strokes. Small joined the Canadian Tour after winning the California State Open in 1969 and 1970.
1973 Playing at the Richmond GC two Canadian tour regulars duelled head -to-head to determine the outcome. Gary Bowerman won when Bob Panasiuk missed a five-foot putt on the 3rd extra hole. This was Bowerman’s only Canadian Tour win. Panasiuk played the PGA tour plus he won 27 professional events including two CPGA titles in 1972 and 1973. Although he played in several BC Open’s he never won.
1974 Like the previous year, Bob Panasiuk came to Point Grey G&CC after winning three of the previous six stops on the Peter Jackson. He ranked as the top player at the time. But disaster struck him again. In the last four holes he dropped five strokes to lose what seemed to be an insurmountable lead. Barker, playing steady par golf the entire tournament sank his put on the 18th for a birdie to win the $6000 cheque. This might be his only professional win.
1975 The CPGA created the tour as a training ground for young Canadian professionals to hone their skills to enable them to join the PGA tour. The 1975 BC Open at the provided this opportunity for Dave Barr, a second-year pro from Kelowna. He fashioned a brilliant 66 in the final round to capture his first professional title. Dave was the first of the young crop of Canadian golf professionals to have a very successful golf career. He won 12 Canadian Tour events plus 2 PGA tour championships. Perhaps his highlite occurred in 1985 in the US Open at Oakland Hills where he finished 2nd.
1976 When a player wins a championship, in most instances one shot can be denoted as the turning point. The ’76 event at Quilchena filled this criteria. Cec Ferguson, a young amateur from Gorge Vale, hit one dramatic shot which resulted in an eagle two that cinched the event for him. The shot occurred on the 14th hole. After driving into the right rough, Cec had a 185-yard approach shot remaining. Cec selected a 4-iron. Cec lofted the shot over several trees in front of him. As the ball descended it struck a willow branch, deflecting the ball onto the green. The ball slowly proceeded to follow the line directly into the hole. The 4000 spectators stood in awe. This eagle two proved to be the winning margin. Cec joined the select group of amateurs who won the BC Open title. This was Cec’s only Canadian tour championship.
1977 The 1977 Peter Jackson BC Open highlite was not created by any one player’s particular shot, but instead by a bunker – “Big Bertha” to the thousands of hackers and professionals who have had the displeasure of meeting the old gal. At Marine Drive, Dave Barr’s brief encounter was al too familiar. Big Bertha is an appropriately named sand trap that stands guarding the right side of the elevated 17th green. In the final round Dave found his shot resting peacefully in the bottom with the ten-foot face of the bunker in front. Proceeding to almost hole his next shot, Dave gladly accepted his bogey and moved to the final 18th hole. Beginning the final round, Marine Drive’s star amateur, Doug Roxburgh, stood tied with Barr and Ken Ellsworth. After 8 holes Doug took the lead on the course, he knew better than any other player. He grew up honing his skills over the course. At this time Doug had won five BC Amateurs, 2 Canadian Amateurs, 1 Canadian Junior and 2 BC Junior titles. He represented Canada five times on national teams. After eight holes, Doug held a two-shot lead on the field. Then he found himself in big Bertha. He failed to score a bogey or a double bogey. Dave won his second BC Open title.
Pacific Gold Brewery Prince George Golf & Curling club
Due to a change in government tobacco regulations, the Peter Jackson (Imperial Tobacco Co.) ended its’ Canadian Tour sponsorship in 1977.
1978: The BCPGA searched for a new sponsor for their BC Open championship. Ben Ginter, the owner of the Pacific Gold Brewery in Prince George, assumed the challenge. Dave Barr retained his title with 205 by holding off a challenge from Victoria’s John Morgan.
1979 The BC Open returned to the Island for the first time in a decade. The Glen Meadows GC owner, Percy Criddle, offered to support the professionals. It was only fitting that a new young Victoria professional should win the title. Jim Rutledge, the youngest player to win the Open, overtook the leader Dan Halldorson with only four holes remaining. He finished 2 under par to score a two-stroke victory. Jim had great success in the BC Open winning three times and finishing second 3 times. He won five Canadian tour events as well as a CPGA Championship.
1980 Perhaps defending champion, Jim Rutledge, thought he could breeze to his second BC Open title at Glen Meadows. He fashioned himself a six-shot lead after seven holes. Showing immense experience that he had gained after twelve years on the Gold Trail, don Bies of Seattle went on a birdie binge to overcome Jim’s lead. Bies won by a stroke over the raising Victoria professional.
1981 The 1981 BC Open returned to the Chilliwack layout. For most of the holes Jim Rutledge appeared unbeatable. Struggling in the initial holes of the final round Jim must have been contemplating his previous win. Righting himself the young Victoria professional romped home the repeat winner by seven strokes.
The George William’s Years 1982 – 1990
Since the Imperial Tobacco Co relinquished their support for the Canadian tour the BCPGA struggled to find sponsors. Then the saviour arrived. Desperately needing a permanent sponsor, one brave gentleman arrived by the name of George Williams. He and his fellow Vancouver Golf Club members saved the event from certain extinction.
1982 Like other young BC professionals before him Richard Zokol, Marine Drive member and former Canadian Amateur champion, won his first professional event at the initial George Williams’ Open at Point Grey by five strokes. Dick was totally tuned in on the final day. Known for his new trade mark wearing headphones during his round Richard became known as “Disco Dick” on the tour. On the final day he posted a record shattering 64. “ I won a golf tournament. A pro tournament. I just hope it will not be my first and only.” He had a couple of missteps on his road to victory. “to succeed on tour you have to make those trouble shot. It’s a lot easier making them when you are doing it every week.” Jim Rutledge finished second five shots back.
1983 Another young BC professional from Marine Drive, Jim Nelford won his first pro event at the George Williams event. Jim had not competed in the Open for five years. Desperately wanting to prove himself in front of his family, friends, and Marine Drive members, Jim shot 66 in the first round to grab the lead. He never relinquished this spot. Playing conservatively, Nelford used a method of play which five years’ experience on the Gold Trail had taught him. As he commented philosophically at the closure; ”Once, I had it at 8-under par I just concentrated on pars. It’s nice to be spectacular, but it’s not always smart. 4000 spectators lined the point Grey fairway much to the delight of George Williams.
1984 The 1984 champion may be small in stature, but he proved he can control his shots enough to win. I former BC Amateur and BC Junior champion, Sandy Harper shot rounds of 65-67-71-68 to win. Runner-up Jim Rutledge described his plight; “After Sandy made those three birdies (2nd, 3rd, and 4th holes) I knew I couldn’t catch him. He wasn’t about to make any bogeys the way he was hitting the ball.”
1985 George Williams raised the 1985 purse to a record $100,000 with $20,00 to the winner. Wouldn’t Leonard and Congdon love to be duelling for that prize? In The final round Doug Lecuyer, past CPGA professional from Alberta, held a one stroke advantage over Victoria’s newest pro Rick Gibson. Lecuyer lowered the score to 8-under par. Gibson followed lowering his to 7-under before the bogey parade hit each player. Gibson thought he had tied for the lead on the 18th, but in reality, he had a one stroke lead. This error caused him to choose the wrong club resulting in a bogey. A playoff resulted. A birdie on the first extra hole gave the Victoria professional, Rick Gibson, his first professional win.
1986 The ’86 George Williams BC Open at Point Grey was won by foreigner Jim Hallet. For the second year the sponsor George Williams offered a $20,000 first place prize. He hoped to attract some of the lesser stars from the PGA tour. His plan succeeded. Since 1982 only local heroes had dominated the tournament. The tough Point Grey tack caused much difficulty for the PGA stars By the final round ninth Jim Blair, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado Open champion, had lost his four stroke advantage. A final round 70 allowed Jim Hallet to hold off the charging Dave Barr for a one stroke win. Hallet joined the PGA tour in 1987 finishing in the top 10 several times during his career.
1987 Like the comedian who could get no respect, Jim Benepe, an all – American college player from Northwestern University in Chicago, came from nowhere to enter the winners’ circle. Admittedly nervous starting the final round with the lead, Benepe coolly and meticulously carved his way around Point Grey to win his first professional title. Jim Rutledge, the 1979 and 1981 champion, and the defending champion Jim Hallet finished second. Jim Benepe used his first professional championship to earn his PGA card in 1988. He won his only PGA title, the Western Open, in 1988.
1988 Perseverance guided Dave Delong in the 1988 BC Open. After four unsuccessful years at the Open, Dave finally appeared on th podium. “I don’t know if I really won the tournament or if Brian Hutton lost it after making a mistake at 17.” Tied on 17, Delong found the back of the par three green with a five iron. Hutton reiterated,”I hit the right club, but as soon as I hit it I knew it was thin.” He proceeded to blast out of the bunker and three putt. Delong prophesied that a player must learn how to lose before he can win on the tour. Hutton would have his day. Dave’s only other victory was the 1992 Northwest Open.
1989 Jim Rutledge created a BC Open memory for his son – the 1989 tournament. Oozing with confidence the entire week, Jim methodically nailed down his third BC Open crown. Jim Gibson, Jim’s long-time friend, described Jim’s true measurement of his skill for the week. “I (Jim) played the best tournament of my life, but came up two strokes back and tied for second. I don’t think I can play much better. I was teasing with Jim’s wife Jill, and she said it didn’t matter to her whether I won the event.” A relaxed Jim Rutledge said the win was worth the wait. “It was nice it could come in BC.”
1990 The rains came, and never ceased during the event at George’s home club, the Vancouver Golf club. Rain washed out he final round and Brandt Jobe of Denver, Colorado was declared the winner. Jobe shot a Saturday round of 8-under par 64 course record in Absolutely atrocious conditions. So, the clear favourite preceding the final eighteen was Jobe. Brandt Jobe won 2 PGA titles and finished 2nd four times on the 2005 PGA tour.
1990 was the last year George Williams and friends sponsored the BC Open. Unfortunately the BC Open saviour, George Williams, did not. see his tournament end with a grand fight to the finish or a sudden death playoff on his home course. If George had not stood up to save an ailing tournament, this event would have died a decade earlier. Who would save it now?
Xerox of Canada 1991 – 1993
1991 A new sponsor, a new beginning, and a new optimism surrounded the 1991 event at Point Grey. “Guy, Guy, Guy “ echoed through the final holes of the event. No, not Guy Lafleur as in hockey, but Guy Boros, the son of the legendary Golf Hall of Famer Julius Boros, won his first pro event. Boros set a modern-day course record during the second round. He used only 21 putts as he set the record during the second round. “I had been playing simply awful. The medium irons were not great, but the driver and the putter were awesome. “Most golf professionals peak two or three times a season. When that occasion arises, the player must take advantage of the opportunity. This was my week – I guess I was ready.”
1992 Looking back on 1992, the seeds were sown for the demise of the BC Open. The Canadian Tour officials and the CPGA of BC had a parting of the ways. The winner of the tournament, Perry Parker, claimed his second victory on the Canadian Tour at Point Grey. In his acceptance speech he announced he hoped to return next year to defend the tile. To do so would mean he had been unsuccessful in gaining his tour card for the big tour. “This tour as a great alternative… it has great stature and it’s perfect for me. But all of us out here have one goal – the PGA Tour card.” Perry Parker won four more times on the Canadian Tour.
With dwindling crowds, the event organizers bid farewell to Point Grey after the SW Marine Drive course had hosted ten of the past eleven BC Opens. Over the life of the BC Open and subsequent equivalent events Point Grey hosted the tournament more than any other golf course in BC. The members should be congratulated for their loyal support. For a membership to donate their course for ten days to support an event is a big commitment.
1993 Hoping to increase interest from spectators and sponsors, the CPGA of BC moved the event to the newly opened Predator Ridge golf course in Vernon, BC. This was the first time an Okanagan course had hosted the championship. This final BC Open was won by “free spirit” Eric Woods. “I don’t mind playing all around the world in different countries. I haven’t tried to get my PGA Tour card since 1988.” The twenty-nine year old California beach boy said after winning. In his free spirited manner Woods remarked, ”I’m going to have a rip roaring time with my pals tonight. I guess the tab is on me.”
BC Tel Pacific Open
In January 1994 the CPGA of BC indicated they would no longer be involved in the BC Open. “Our priorities must be to our membership.” The organization felt there was just not enough return to their group for the substantial amount of money ($300.000) required to host the event. The provincial body retained the marketing rights for the name “BC Open”
Just like George Williams in 1982 saved the event from extinction, the Burrard International Holdings stepped forward to host the event. Under the leadership of Caleb Chan and Dick Munn, Mayfair Lakes hosted the 60th Open on June 14-20. “We and our partners have a vested interest in the game in BC and that’s the underlying reason we’re hoping to get into the tournament end of golf.” In January 1994 the Chan group owned Mayfair Lakes, Arbutus Ridge, Gallagher’s Canyon, and the Green Lakes golf community (Nicklaus north”. As a CPGA member Dick Munn reached out to his association for endorsement and co-operation. Th Burrard group convinced BC Tel to be their Title sponsor.
BE Tel Pacific Open 1994 – 1997
1994 The 1994 initial Telus Pacific Open suffered from June rain much like others before it. But Sunday’s 36-hole round was perfect. Mayfair drained incredibly well. Craig Jones, the burly 24-year old Aussie, took the first place cheque by a comfortable 4 strokes. He finished birdie-eagle for a 68. In the morning round he posted 67. Without doubt he rose to the occasion. The international field included Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie. Australian golfer Craig Jones did not win many events in his career but he is probably best known for recording a historic 13-under-par 59 on the Queensland Sunshine Tour in August 2008 at the Babcock & Brown Horton Park Pro-Am. This feat placed him in the record books as the lowest-ever round in Australian professional golf history. Everyone believed the resurrected event was a huge success.
1995 Everyone knew the name “Goetze” in golf referred to Vicki Goezte, the young, newest LPGA star. But her brother Nicky Goetze forged his own career by playing on the Canadian tour. Through his relationship with Richard Zokol, Craig Stadler PGA star, played the 1995 Canadian Tour event. Because of his PGA record, everyone believed Stadler would walk away with the title. But Ian Hutchings and Goetze displayed amazing scoring on the Mayfair Lake course. Hutchings followed his course setting record 64 on Saturday with a 65 Sunday. Goetze matched Hutchings shooting 65 – 66. The birdie binge by the pair did not follow in the five-hole playoff. Each played hoping their opponent would make a mistake. Hutchings failed to get up and down from a greenside bunker making Goetze the champion for his first pro win. Nicky Goetze did not transform his decorated junior career, including being a four-time junior all American and his successful collegiate career at Clemson (1989-1992) into a successful professional career. The BC Tel Pacific Open was his only victory as a pro.
1996 Florida pro Guy Hill had the perfect week on the Mayfair Lakes course. From the first round to the last his lead varied from five to eight strokes. “I had one little slip (bogey on 13) but other than that I played perfect golf. I was always trying to give myself easy pars and maybe some would be birdies along the way”. On the final round he only used driver twice to record a tournament record 264 -20 under par for his second win on the Canadian tour.” Guy Hill played basically on the Korn Ferry Tour with no wins.
1997 “Finally after spurning more than a dozen chances to win his second Canadian Tour event, the first was the Tournament Players’ Championship in 1993, Mike Weir claimed his second victory wiih a nail-biting finish at Mayfair.” Mike’s fate appeared he would finish second again. But everything changed on the par 5 11th. His playing partner Ken Duke, holding a two-stroke lead, chunked his chip scoring a bogey. Mike birdie and the atmosphere swung in Mike’s favour. Mike Weir will always be remembered for his Masters victory. But the Canadian tour events were his training grounds.
BC Tel Open 1998 1999
1998 After leading the tournament for three days Steve Woods battled nerves on the final nine holes. Ian Hutchings calculated he needed at least three birdies on the final three holes to perhaps have a chance. He told his caddy; “We need three birdies to have a chance as he walked to the 16th tee. He was exactly right.” Hutchings rolled in a 20-foot birdie on #16, had a tap-in birdie on the 17Th, and calmly drained a three-footer on the 525-yard 18th. But Ian needed assistance from Steve Woods and John Bizek. The two non-winners battled the wind and nerves to finish second. This was Hutchings fourth Canadian tour win. Ian Hutchings is best- known for his career on the Sunshine Tour and in Canada, with 12 amateur wins and 8 professional wins.
1999 Ken Staton figured he would need a 66 on Sunday to win his second consecutive Canadian Tour stop. The previous week he won by four shots at the inaugural Crown Isle Open in Courtenay. “Today I felt more pressure, maybe because there were a lot of guys behind me and knew some of them.” About the only player Ken really needed to worry about was Steve Woods, last years runner-up. Steve and Ken separated themselves from the field after #12. “#14 was definitely the pivotal hole. Steve was kind of shocked because he thought he was going to pick-up a shot on me. But,the opposite happened. I picked up the shot.” Staton began his professional career on the Canadian Tour, where he won six times. He finished second at the 2001 PGA Qualifying school, giving him status on the Tour. He would go on to play 60 events on tour, as well as 61 events on the Web.com Tour.
Telus Vancouver Open 200 2001
2000 In 1996 Rob McMillan won the Manitoba Open as an amateur. The Canadian golf community expected he would have a very successful pro career. It took him 6 years to win his first professional win coming at Mayfair Lakes. “I have been a professional for three years now and I feel like my first win was a long time coming. I’ve worked hard on my game. I’ve put in a lot of time and effort to see the fruits of it. It’s great. Other than the first hole I played really well on the front nine. I had a birdie chance on every hole. “But as Rob was making birdies, Brian Kontak, four- time winner on the Canadian tour was matching his every hole. McMillian finally grabbed the lead on the 16th hole when he blasted a wedge within a foot of the hole. After an outstanding junior career that included four Manitoba crowns and three Canadian junior titles, plus one Canadian Amateur crown, Rob won twice on the Canadian Tour.
2001 The 2500 spectators who attended the Sunday final round saw history in the making. Six players, the most to ever appear in a Canadian Tour playoff, duelled for the next 90 minutes. The crowd saw the 6-man field dwindle to two players Steve Scott and Jess Daley. The players had scored 14 birdies in five playoff holes. Basically, if the player had a par, he left the game. Scott deserved to win because he had. Scott posted an early 67 in the final round. He really did not expect to be playing in a playoff. “I didn’t expect to be in a playoff and I scrambled, but you need a lot of luck in sudden death and I putted well all week and believed in myself.” Steve Scott distinguished himself in the 1996 American professional golfer and instructor, best known as the 1996 U.S. Amateur. He almost defeated Tiger Woods. He had two Canadian Tour victories in 2001 and 2002.
Greater Vancouver Classic
2002 Ken Duke’s four shot lead on the 14th hole seemed insurmountable by Iain Steel. But nothing is predictable in golf. Steel cut the lead in half when he holed his 92-yard pitch shot. On 17 Iain rolled in another birdie putt. Bunkered with his third it appeared Steel would fall one shot short against Duke. But again, he pulled of a miracle shot. He holed out from the bunker for a course record 64. Duke failed to birdie either of his two final holes. The pair headed for a playoff. Steel won his first Canadian tour title. With the success of the event on their Swan-e-set course, Intra West contemplated becoming a regular Canadian Tour stop. He won He has six professional events playing various tours, including the Asian Development Tour, Nike Tour, and Canadian Tour, with notable high finishes in Asian and European circuit events.
2003 James Lepp joined a very select group of five other amateurs to win the provincial professional open. These included Ken Black, Russ Case, Jim Todd, John Johnston, Cec Ferguson. At this point in his golfing career, James had won 2 BC Juniors, 2 BC Men’s Amateurs, 2 national junior titles. “I definitely do not plan in turning professional before my college career is completed. The best thing was beating a bunch of pros. Guys who are a lot further along in their golf career than I am.” Lepp started with a two-shot lead. And did not show any sign of nerves that would be normal for any teenager in his position. James considered the shot on the ninth. He had placed his drive behind a tree that sits in the right centre position in the fairway. He casually reviewed the necessary cut shot that was required. The ball bent perfectly around the tree to within a foot of the hole.
2004 The 66 pros who teed it up at Mayfair had great difficulty mastering the fast, tricky greens. Ryan Miller conquered the difficult slopes on the final day with 11 birdies. Miller scored his second straight 66 for a two-shot win over a crowded field on the final day. ”I turned professional 2 years ago and it was kind of a struggle until about January this year. When I started playing pretty well. I’d play a couple of good rounds but I couldn’t string four rounds together. So, I felt I could play out here and compete out here. I knew I would eventually win. It appears this was his only professional win.
2005 CANCELLED
Greater Vancouver Charity Classic 2006 – 2008
After the 2005 was cancelled the Canadian Tour approached the West Coast Golf Group to see if they would consider hosting the Canadian Tour stop. In 2005 West Coast completely renovated Hazelmere. “It’s a huge deal for Hazelemere and for Surrey, White Rock and the Langley area to host this major event. With players coming from all over the world this caliber of golf will definitely improve Hazelmere’s image, showing everyone how good our golf course has become after the renovations.” The West Coast Golf Group formed a partnership with the Canadian Tour and the BC Children’s Hospital to host the event.
2006 The week previous to the event the top amateur in the province, James Lepp turned professional. His “posse” hoped he could duplicate his win in 2003 as an amateur. Lee Williamson provided his caddie, his father, with the best fathers’ day present of all. This was his third win in his last nine events. “I think my Dad got a bigger kick out of the win than I did.” This was the first time he had caddied for me when I actually won an event.” Playing the Canadian Tour for four years, it took him a while to figure things out. “I was not a bad player coming out of college but this tour allows rookie pros to learn and tinker before trying the PGA Tour. I made some changes in 2003 but it was not until last year things started to click in.” Abbotsford’s James Lepp finished 15th in his first tournament as a professional. It appears Lee finished his professional career with 4 Canadian Tour wins.
2007 James Lepp did not disappoint his “posse”. Early in the year his driving placed him in some of the strangest circumstances. Saturday, he appeared to be in control. Until the final nine holes. But Sunday after a three-hour rain delay his game came together on the final nine holes. He birdied 11,12, and 13. Then saved par on 14 with a spectacular putt. He coasted to a four-stroke win for his first professional championship. He and Rob McMilliam are the only two players to win a Canadian Tour event as an amateur and a professional. “I’m pretty happy camper right now. This win gives me plenty of confidence. I was thinking about the Saturday collapse on Sunday coming down the stretch because it was a similar scenario. But it was great to save par on 14 and that kept the ball rolling.” James had two Canadian Tour wins as a professional. In 2008 he transitioned away to a successful business career.
2008 Adam Speirs, a Winnipeg native, always figured the goal to win on the Canadian Tour would not be an easy task. Speirs, after all, had toiled in professional golf for seven years with no wins. On a couple of occasions, he appeared to be heading for the winners’ circle but something cropped up to prevent this. When he bogeyed the 15th par -3 hole on Sunday, it certainly crossed his mind today would not be the day for success. With sheer determination he fought back to make birdie putts on the 16th and 17th holes. Success still was not certain. He had to make a pressure nice up-and-down par on 18 to seal his one-shot victory. This was his only professional championship.
City of Surrey Invitational 2009
2009 The 2009 event appeared in jeopardy because of dwindling sponsorship numbers. Under the leadership of Dianne Watts, Surrey stepped up to be the new title sponsor. Forty-five year old Mike Grobb summarized his 14 year experience playing the Canadian Tour. “This is my favourite place to play. If you can’t play the PGA tour or the Naionwide Tour. This is by far the best place and if they could get more events in Canada that would be great with me.” This was his sixth win on the Canadian Tour. Canadians James Lepp, Graham DeLaet and Jim Rutledge chased Gob but fell a little short on Sunday. Unfortunately, due to lack of sponsors and dwindling crowds this was the final Canadian tour stop in the lower mainland until a rebirth occurred in 2014 at Point Grey G&CC
PC Financial Open 2014 2015
2014 Joel Dahmen spoiled a couple of local stories at Point Grey. The 26-year old professional from Clarkson WA posted a one shot victory over Marine Drive member Eugene Wong and Chilliwack GC assistant professional, Brad Clapp. Dahmen set up his one-shot victory with a brilliant hybrid second from a fairway bunker. He two putted for a birdie. His two local foes each pared. Clapp was on his way to posting a Cinderella story book finish. He had a three-shot lead through 10 holes. Then bogeyed 11 and 15. His poor chip on the 18th front fringe stopped eight feet from the hole. Wong, a former BC Amateur champion, posted a charge on the final back nine but fell one shot short. Eugene hoped to win his third Canadian Tour victory for his Marine Drive friends. Three years previous Joel wasn’t sure if he would play competitive golf again. He was diagnosed with cancer. “I did have cancer, but the doctors found it early. While recovering I certainly wondered if I would ever reach the winner’s circle.” Joel posted one PGA tour win and a total of $14 million dollars as a professional.
2015 Drew Weaver spoiled Surrey’s Adam Svensson’s storied professional start. Prior to The Financial Open at Point Grey, Adam had won his first three professional starts on the SwingThought.com tour. Three Canadians and two Americans entered the playoff. After Weaver and Svensson each birdied the first two playoff holes. The two were the last men standing. Weaver, a seasoned professional golfer with experience on the Canadian and PGA tours, coolly blasted from the bunker on 18 to birdie the hole for his victory. Adam remarked; “I had fun all week. I am not too disappointed I thought my putt was in on the final hole. But that happens.” Drew Weaver turned professional after his 2007 US Amateur win. He won 4 professional events during his career.
Freedom 55 Financial Open 2016
2016 Mark MCumber’s son, Tyler, held a one shot lead on Dan McCarthy until he bogeyed the 16th hole. On 18 McCarthy artfully putted his 85-foot shot to within a foot of the hole for birdie. At the victory podium Dan described the putt. “I was caught between bumping and running a seven iron or just hitting a putter. I figured I would just bang the putter up there. Again, I could not have left it in a better spot. It was one foot below the hole, for the win. All in all my putting was really strong all week.” After fiv- year playing the MacKenzie tour this was his first win. Dan still plays on the Korn Ferry tour posting 11 top 10 finishes and one victory.
Unfortunately, no provincial open championship has been held in BC since 2016.