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Brock Mackenzie Leads at Bayview Place Island Savings Open Presented by Times Colonist

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PGA Tour – written June 5, 2014

Round 1 – Bayview Place Island Savings Open pres. by Times Colonist

Contact: Brian Decker
June 5, 2014 BrianDecker@pgatourhq.com

First Round Leaderboard – (Bold denotes Canadian)

1. Brock Mackenzie 63 (-7)
2. Jake Sarnoff 64 (-6)
T-3. Riley Wheeldon 65 (-5)
T-3. Michael Lavery 65 (-5)

(June 5 – Victoria, BC) – Yakima, Washington’s Brock Mackenzie got his quest for a second Bayview Place Island Savings Open presented by Times Colonist title off to a good start on Thursday, firing a 7-under 63 at Uplands Golf Club to lead by one over Manhattan Beach, California’s Jake Sarnoff.

The 2010 champion went bogey free on Thursday, with the 63 representing his best score at Uplands in his sixth appearance. The 32-year old said his familiarity with the golf course was key to his performance in getting off to a good start.

“There aren’t too many courses other than maybe my home course that I’m this comfortable on,” said Mackenzie, a former All-American at the University of Washington. “For some reason everything just kind of suits my eye. I know where to miss it and where to hit it, and it’s just kind of up to executing. I rolled it a couple of putts today.”

Few players have as strong a track record as Mackenzie at Uplands – in addition to his win, he also posted a pair of top five finishes in 2009 and 2011 and was in the hunt on Sunday last year before fading with a Sunday 77.

“I’ve had some nice success at Uplands and I’ve always enjoyed coming back here. The people are great,” said Mackenzie, who said his familiarity with the event made it one of his favourites on PGA TOUR Canada. “I see the same walking scorers each year and say ‘Hey, do you want to come walk with me this week?’ So it’s pretty cool to see.”

One shot back of Mackenzie with a 64 was Sarnoff, playing in just his second PGA TOUR Canada event. The 24-year old, like Mackenzie, was also bogey-free on Thursday, and said he managed to navigate Uplands successfully despite a few wayward shots.

“I just kind of missed in the right spots,” said Sarnoff. “I was in the rough a lot but I had a lot of open shots and I putted really well. It’s always good to have no bogeys on the scorecard.”

WHEELDON RIGHT AT HOME AND IN THE HUNT

As a native of nearby Comox, British Columbia, the Bayview Place Island Savings Open presented by Times Colonist is as close as it gets to a home event for Riley Wheeldon. With a solo third finish here last year and another solid start on Thursday, it’s clear the 23-year old treats it as such and seems to find his best game at Uplands.

“I’ve been saying it all week. I love this tournament,” said Wheeldon, who carded a 6-under 65 on Thursday to sit tie for third through one round. “It’s my favourite tournament on the schedule. I was ready to go this week and ready to give it another go and hopefully improve on last year.”

The 2014 season has been an up-and-down one for Wheeldon, who has made one of four cuts on the Web.com Tour while battling through a hip injury and began his PGA TOUR Canada season with a T-15 finish at last week’s PC Financial Open. He comes to Uplands with the hopes of kick starting his season in front of fans, friends and family on a course where he has an upper hand in local knowledge.

“Apart from maybe a couple guys out here, I’ve played out here as much as anybody,” said Wheeldon. “I have some people who have made the drive from North Island to come watch, so I have some people supporting me down here. It’s as close as I get to a hometown event.”

ALLENBY FEELING DUE FOR A BREAKTHROUGH

Now in his seventh season on PGA TOUR Canada, Surrey, BC’s James Allenby is looking to break through and contend for his first win – something he admitted he felt he would have achieved by now and is overdue for.

“I’ve felt that from the start. I thought that’s where I would be, but it’s a lot tougher than I expected coming out here,” said Allenby, who has seven top-10s in 50 starts on PGA TOUR Canada. “There’s a lot more competition than I thought there was. It’s been a few years out here and I kind of feel like I’m due. I feel my game’s good enough to be one of the best out here. It’s all about putting it all together and believing in yourself.”

Allenby got things moving in the right direction on Thursday, reaching 6-under at one point before settling for a 4-under 66 – tied for the low round of the afternoon wav – to share fifth place through 18 holes. The 29-year old admitted he took a hard look at his approach this offseason and is ready to take the next step in 2014.

“Starting this season, I thought it might have been a kind of a mindset that I was missing. Before, I think I was just happy to be out here and to play well. Now I feel like I need to be more than happy. I need to be the best, and show everyone that I can be a strong player.”

Notes:

Weather: 20 degrees. Winds 15 km/h. Sunny.
Devin Daniels recorded the first Double Eagle in PGA TOUR Canada history on Thursday, finding the cup with a hybrid from 242 yards on the par-5 12th on his second shot
Brock Mackenzie’s sister is Golf Channel analyst and former LPGA player Paige Mackenzie
Riley Wheeldon started his tournament with a 5-under 65 for the second year in a row
PC Financial Open champion Joel Dahmen birdied his final three holes for a 4-under 66
The current cutline is at 1-under, with 61 players at T-40 or better

For scores, go to http://www.pgatour.com/canada/en_us/leaderboard.html

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PGA TOUR Canada statement on Richard H. “Dick” Grimm

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PGA TOUR Canada – May 27, 2014

It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Richard “Dick” Grimm last evening.

While Dick made an impact across nearly all levels as an ambassador for golf in Canada, it is his many contributions that helped grow the game and expand the TOUR’s profile as Commissioner of PGA TOUR Canada that we are remembering fondly. – to read more>

David Bradshaw takes medalist honours at PGA TOUR Canada Q-School

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PGA TOUR Canada – May 10, 2014

13 Canadians earn status for PGA TOUR Canada in 2014

Final leaderboard – British Columbia Qualifying Tournament (Bold denotes Canadian)

1. David Bradshaw – 73 (-17)
T2. Timothy Madigan – 67 (-9)
T2. Adam Long – 68 (-9)
T4. Greg Machtaler – 70 (-7)
T4. Ben Silverman – 69 (-7)

(May 9, 2014 – Courtenay, BC) – Encinitas, California’s David Bradshaw cruised to an eight stroke victory at PGA TOUR Canada’s British Columbia Qualifying Tournament on Friday, carding a final round 73 to finish 17-under par for the week. Bradshaw was among 18 players to earn exempt status and 42 total players to earn PGA TOUR Canada cards for 2014. – to read more>

David Bradshaw opens up 10 shot lead at PGA TOUR Canada Q-School

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PGA TOUR Canada – May 7, 2014

West Virginia native fires course record 62 at Crown Isle

Second round leaderboard – British Columbia Qualifying Tournament (Bold denotes Canadian)

1. David Bradshaw – 62 (-17)
2. Greg Machtaler – 69 (-7)
T-3. Chris McCartin – 69 (-6)
T-3. Brendan Gielow – 68 (-6)
T-3. Russell Surber – 71 (-6)
T-3. Nate McCoy – 69 (-6)

(May 7, 2014 – Courtenay, BC) – Encinitas, California’s David Bradshaw opened up a massive lead at PGA TOUR Canada’s British Columbia Qualifying Tournament on Wednesday, firing a 10-under 62 at Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community to lead by 10 shots through 36 holes. – to read more>

David Bradshaw leads at PGA TOUR Canada’s British Columbia Q-School

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PGA TOUR Canada – May 6, 2014

Four Canadians tied for fourth after first round in Courtenay

First round leaderboard – British Columbia Qualifying Tournament (Bold denotes Canadian)

1. David Bradshaw – 65
T-2. Russell Surber – 67
T-2. Garrett Driver – 67
T-4. Adam Cornelson – 68
T-4. James Love – 68
T-4. Braeden Cryderman – 68
T-4. Greg Machtaler – 68

(May 6, 2014 – Courtenay, BC) – Encinitas, California’s David Bradshaw carded a 7-under 65 on Tuesday at Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community to take the first round lead at PGA TOUR Canada’s British Columbia Qualifying Tournament. Bradshaw led by two over Garrett Driver and Russell Surber after one round. – to read more>

Jordan Krantz Takes Medalist Honours at PGA TOUR Canada Q-School

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PGA TOUR Canada – April 19, 2014

Six Canadians among 43 to earn status on PGA TOUR Canada for 2014

Final leaderboard – Florida Qualifying Tournament (Bold denotes Canadian)

1. Jordan Krantz – 66 (-2)
2. Ryan Brehm – 72 (E)
3. Paul Cormack – 67 (+1)
4. Dan McCarthy – 73 (+2)
5. Kelvin Day – 70 (+3)

(April 19, 2014 – Reunion, Fla.) – Vermillion Bay, Ontario’s Jordan Krantz carded a final round 66 at the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Reunion Resort on Saturday to claim medalist honours and lead all 43 players who earned status at PGA TOUR Canada’s Florida Qualifying Tournament. – to read more>

Westhorpe, Klaasen lead at PGA TOUR Canada Q-School

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PGA TOUR Canada – April 16, 2014

Round two suspended due to darkness, will resume Thursday at 8 A.M.

Second round leaderboard – Florida Qualifying Tournament (Bold denotes Canadian)

T-1. Christian Westhorpe -2/-
T-1. Clark Klaasen -2/-
T-3. Peter Campbell -1/-
T-3. Colby Wilson -1/-

(April 16, 2014 – Reunion, Fla.) – Toronto, Ontario native Christian Westhorpe and Grand Rapids, Michigan’s Clark Klaasen shared the lead at 2-under par before play was called due to darkness at PGA TOUR Canada’s Florida Qualifying Tournament on Tuesday. Play is scheduled to resume Thursday morning at 8 A.M., with 66 players still left to begin their second round. – to read more>

Play suspended at PGA TOUR Canada’s Florida Qualifying Tournament

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PGA TOUR Canada – April 15, 2014

Nova Scotia’s Peter Campbell clubhouse leader among 23 players to finish

First round leaderboard – Florida Qualifying Tournament (Bold denotes Canadian)

T-1. Christian Westhorpe – -3/9
T-1. Clark Klaasen – -3/9
T-3. Peter Campbell – 71 (-1)
T-3. Mark Hoffman – -1/9

(April 15, 2014 – Reunion, Fla.) – With thunderstorms and heavy rainfall rolling through central Florida, round one of PGA TOUR Canada’s Florida Qualifying Tournament was suspended for the remainder of the day on Tuesday and will resume Wednesday morning at 9 AM.

Play was initially suspended due to a dangerous weather situation at 1:33 P.M., and called for the rest of the day at 4 P.M. Just 23 players completed round one before play was suspended, with 10 groups left to tee off. – to read more>

Daniel Miernicki claims medalist honours at PGA TOUR Canada’s California Q-School

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PGA Tour Canada – April 11, 2014

44 players earn PGA TOUR Canada status for 2014

(April 11, 2014 – Beaumont, Calif.) – Santee, California’s Daniel Miernicki fired a final round 64 at Oak Valley Golf Club on Friday to win medalist honours at PGA TOUR Canada’s California Qualifying Tournament. Miernicki, a teammate of two-time PGA TOUR Canada winner Eugene Wong at the University of Oregon, carded eight birdies and finished 15-under total to win by two over three players.

44 players finished 1-over or better to earn status on PGA TOUR Canada for 2014, with 18 players earning exempt status. Whittier, California’s J.P. Brown, Montgomery, Alabama’s Hunter Hamrick and Phoenix, Arizona’s Devin Daniels all birdied the first hole of a six-way playoff to earn exempt status at 3-under par, while 1-over was the cutoff for conditional status.

Miernicki, who fired a 6-under 66 in round one, said he’s looking forward to playing in Canada this summer, especially alongside his old Ducks teammate.

“Planning a schedule when you don’t have status anywhere is tough, so to be able to look at 12 events and know you’ll be in is great,” said Miernicki, who along with Wong was named an All-American in 2012 and led Oregon to the semifinals of the NCAA tournaments. “Eugene and I had similar careers and we really pushed each other so hopefully we can do the same in Canada. We had some really great teams.”

The 21-year old admitted he wasn’t full of confidence heading into Friday’s final round, but was able to get on a run and put together a bogey-free 64, the best round of the week at Oak Valley.

“I played absolutely horrible yesterday and I got it around somehow, so I was pretty nervous going into today,” said Miernicki. “I just kind of found something and made pretty much everything, so that helps. I’ve been playing pretty well this year, and to do it when it counts means a lot.”

Two shots behind Miernicki were Quebec City, Quebec resident Aléxis Anghert, Leicester City, England’s Greg Eason and Longwood, Florida’s Sam Ryder, each at 13-under par.

Among the notables to earn exempt status were former NEC Series – PGA TOUR Latinoamérica winner Alan Wagner and Hunter Hamrick, a 3-time All-American at the University of Alabama.

Justin Kim lone Canadian to earn status

Hamilton, Ontario’s Justin Kim shot a final round 73 to finish at even par for the tournament and earn conditional status for 2014. The former PGA TOUR Canada member made one of four cuts in 2013 and will look to improve on a career-best finish of a tie for 57th at last year’s Cape Breton Celtic Classic presented by PC Financial.

Dramatic playoff ends with three quick birdies

J.P. Brown needed an eagle at the par-5 ninth, his final hole of the day, just to get into a six-way playoff for three exempt cards. He made the most of it by hitting his approach from a fairway bunker in the playoff to tap-in distance, securing his exempt status for 2014 along with Hamrick and Devin Daniels.

Three amateurs earn TOUR Canada cards

University of Central Florida senior Greg Eason, University of Arizona grad Trent Redfern and 16-year old Kristian Caparros all earned PGA TOUR Canada status, with Eason locking up exempt status with a T-2 finish. The 21-year old, who claimed his seventh collegiate win with UCF on Sunday, said it was a relief to know he had plans secured for his first summer as a professional.

“It’s a great feeling to know where I’ll be playing following this spring,” said Eason, who plans to turn professional following the NCAA Regional and National championships later this spring. “It’s been a bit of a crazy week but I’m really happy with how I’ve played. This gives me a lot of confidence.”

Orlando Q-School up next

PGA TOUR Canada heads to the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Reunion Golf Resort outside Orlando, Florida next week for the second of three Qualifying Tournaments for 2014. A field of 132 will once again tee it up for 18 exempt cards, with the rest of the top-10 plus ties earning conditional status.

Alexis Anghert takes one shot lead into final round of Qualifying School

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PGA Tour Canada – April 10, 2014

Université Laval grad shoots 66 to lead by one over Greg Eason

(April 10, 2014 – Beaumont, Calif.) – Deauville, France’s Aléxis Anghert shot a 6-under 66 on Thursday at Oak Valley Golf Club to take a one shot lead into the final round of PGA TOUR Canada’s California Qualifying Tournament.

The 26-year old Quebec City, Quebec resident will take a one shot advantage over Leicester City, England’s Greg Eason into the final round of the 72-hole competition that will see 18 players earn exempt status on PGA TOUR Canada for 2014, with the rest of the top 40 plus ties earning conditional status. The cut-off through 54 holes for exempt status stands at 4-under par, while the number for conditional status stands at even par.

“I played really well the first nine holes,” said Anghert, who hit approaches to tap-in range on the first two holes of an opening-nine 32. “The putts didn’t go in on the back nine, but I was playing so good.” Anghert caught Eason, the 36-hole leader, after the first two holes and would card birdies on his 16th and 17th holes to take a one shot lead into Friday’s final round.

“It’s a long day and I was getting pretty tired, but I’m excited tomorrow. I’m in a good position to try and go for the win, which would be nice.”

Anghert, who moved to Quebec to play at Laval, is looking to join former Rouge et Or teammate Max Gilbert, who won the TOUR Championship of Canada presented by Freedom 55 Financial last season, on PGA TOUR Canada. Sonny Michaud, another Laval grad who helped the team win the Golf Canada University/College Championship in 2012, shot a 2-under 70 to move into a tie for 40th spot, in position to earn conditional status for 2014.

Anghert and Eason will play in the final threesome tomorrow along with Brownsburg, Indiana native Seth Fair, who shot a 3-under 69 to sit 10-under overall. Anghert’s 66 was tied for the lowest round of the day with Little Rock, Arkansas’ Joe Doramus, who moved up 31 spots into a tie for 10th.

Michaud and Hamilton, Ontario’s Justin Kim, who shot a 2-over 74 to sit tied for 32nd at 1-under total, led the Canadian contingent of players in position to earn PGA TOUR Canada status for this year.

Eason takes good mojo from college win into Q-School

Should Greg Eason earn medalist honours this week at Q-School, it would be his second win in just six days. The 21-year old captured the 3M Augusta Invitational, an NCAA tournament with the University of Central Florida Knights, on Sunday for his seventh career collegiate win and hopes to keep the good play going through tomorrow.

“It was a nice confidence booster. A bit of a rush, but it’s seemed to work out alright so far,” said Eason, who only had time for nine holes of a practice round at Oak Valley on Monday after flying to California. “It’s worked out alright so far. There’s still one more round to go but things have been good so far.”

The Englishman said he hasn’t had time to reflect on his solid play over the past week, and has no plans to do so before Friday’s final round.

“I’m trying to save as much energy as possible before it catches up to me. I’d rather look forwards than backwards, that’s for sure,” said Eason.

Anghert was complimentary of his playing companion and was looking forward to another duel in the final round.

“It was great to play with Greg. He’s a wonderful player and he’s going to have a great career ahead of him,” said Anghert.

Q-School Card Watch

Fourth round tee times have been moved up 30 minutes to account for a potential playoff for exempt status. With the top 18 players this week earning exempt status on PGA TOUR Canada, the current cut-off for exempt status would see a five player-for-two spots playoff at four under par. Last year, Stephen Gangluff, Jeff Hamm and Alan Wagner survived a three-for-six playoff to earn exempt status for the 2013 season.

Any players tied for 40th or better will earn conditional status for the 2014 season. For scores from round three, go to http://www.pgatourcanada.com/leagues/cantour_leaderboard4.cfm?clientid=3776&leagueid=11711&seasonnum=2014