It was a familiar name at the top of the leader board when the 2013 Cariboo Open drew to a close on Sept. 1 at the 108 Golf Resort.
After 53 holes of play, four-time champion Shane Wilkie and first-flight golfer Tom Huth were tied for lowest score.
On the last hole, Huth shot a double bogey, while Wilkie made par.
“The final round wasn't really good, but nobody played well in the final round, so I got away with one,” says Wilkie, who shot a total of 217 to earn his fifth consecutive Cariboo Open championship. Wilkie has been dealing with a shoulder injury this summer, so his participation this year was in question and he only entered the tournament at the last minute.
“No excuses there,” Wilkie says of his shoulder.
“Tommy [Huth] couldn't find his ball [on the last hole]. So he ended up with a double bogey and kind of gave it to me.
“It was a good weekend. I saw old faces and had fun.”
The overall low-net winner was Ian Ross from Maple Ridge who shot a three-day total of 195.
Andy Wahnschaff, 108 Golf Resort head professional, says the club couldn't be prouder of the course's condition and how the tournament played out.
“There are a lot of people feeling invigorated about what's happening here at 108.
“I could say right now, with my 32 years experience in the golf business, I'm feeling comfortable the 108 is capable of hosting a PGA event when it's in this condition. I've played in PGA events that have not been on a golf course as good as this one right now.”
The 108 Golf Resort has been hosting the Cariboo Open since the early 1970s. A total of 108 golfers were entered this year and split into four flights.
The top 5 low gross scores in the first flight belonged to Huth, Jeff Harris, Chris Seeley, Jamie Graissie and Chris Morley, while the top 5 low net scores in the first flight belonged to Richard Smith, Jim Laird, Scott Seeley, Jay Scott and Jeff Kendy.
Low gross in the second flight went to Kevin Guenther, followed by Shawn McManus, Tyler Williams, Al Sidor and Bob Garrow. Low net in the second flight were Eric Ohlund, followed by Gary Combres, Kevin Ploeger, Terry Palasty and Dennis Thompson.
The third flight's low-gross winner was Jim French. Brad Duncan was second, Jeff Perry was third, Bob Weiduwilt was fourth and Bob Evans was fifth. Low net in the third flight was Lee Hansen, followed by Jack Rausch, John Baylis, Dan Hadden and Steve Herkovits.
Fourth-flight low-gross honours went Jayson Harris, with John Savage in second, followed by Ed Cassie, Shawn Reid and Ron Thurston. Low net in the fourth flight was carded by Alan Kregosky, with Peter Messner, Dave Ross, John Mix and Grant MacDonald rounding out the next four.
Closest-to-the-pin winners were Messner (Aug. 30), Smith (Aug. 31) and French (Sept. 1). Longest drives were hit by C. Seeley (Aug. 30), Graissie (Aug. 31) and Chris Morley (Sept. 1).
“The weekend was in one word: 'Perfect’,” Wahnschaff says, while crediting the tournament's success to local sponsors and volunteers.
“We couldn't be more proud of what we did.”