Nic Ross beats the Pros
The 2012 season for the Golden Horseshoe Area Golf Tour was a season of many high moments for some of the top players on the Tour. This season was highlighted by a Rookie winning the John H. Davis Cup, a veteran senior player taking the money title, and lots of solid play in Provincial and National events from various GHT members. Not to mention a Junior takes top honours at the annual Pro/Junior Golf Classic. One story not making the list and deserves a mention was Ed Maunder's (Deerfield GC) convincing 7 shot win at the PGA of Ontario Tour Championship in the Assistant's Division. This list and significant moments were compiled not only by achievement but also the story behind it. Without further adieu, here are the top 10 stories and moments from the 2012 GHT season...
McIntyre/Hutton at Southbrook
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Yong Woo Kim J.H. Davis Cup Champ
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#10 Brett Walker Golf Supply House Long Drive Champion
After a long cool day and in the pitch black, Brett Walker (Hidden Lake GC) launches his third and final drive 291 yards to win the Golf Supply House Long Drive Championship at Lionhead GC. He was the final contestant and comes after a wild finish in the PGA of Ontario Fall Scramble contested earlier in the day. The drive unleashed by Walker beat the previous leader by 1 yard. Walker qualified for the event by securing the Longest Drive on the qualifying hole earlier in the day during the scramble portion.
#9 Conor O'Shea Quaterfinalist at PGA Championship of Canada
Conor O'Shea (Piper's Heath) went out to Calgary for the PGA Championship of Canada with only a few tournament rounds under his belt. With a handful of GHT members in the field, O'Shea advanced the furthest in the match play event and made it to the Quaterfinals. The third round is what makes the story intriguing. His competitor was former GHT Tour President Ron Kenesky. O'Shea beat Kenesky 3&1. However, he eventually lost in the next round to Eddward Boudreau 2&1. The PGA Championship of Canada is the top prize in the PGA of Canada and sees the top 64 on the National Player Rankings battle it out for the prestigious P.D. Ross Trophy.
#8 Walker/Kenesky/Kim Capture PGA of Ontario Fall Scramble - Legends Course
This story doesn't seem anything special to most, but the team put together of GHT members Brett Walker (Hidden Lake GC)/ Jim Kenesky (Lowville GC)/ Yong Woo Kim (Golf Town Burlington) and the fashion in which they won is worthy of a top story. Sitting at 7 under par with only three holes left to play, Brett Walker makes a natural birdie on the par 3 third hole to get the team to 8 under par. Walker then proceeds to hit two solid shots and makes a 15 footer for a natural eagle on the par 5 4th hole. Now sitting at 10 under par with one hole to play, Walker smashes a drive to 70 yards out on the par 4 5th. Then as the second to play, Kenesky holes out the 70 yard shot for eagle and the team finishes at 12 under par. The crazy birdie-eagle-eagle finish was good enough to secure a spot in a playoff, where the team eventually won in a shootout to capture the win.
#7 Yong Woo Kim Gains PGA Tour of Canada Status
After a long and successful season, GHT rookie and Wick Agencies Order of Merit Leader Yong Woo Kim (Golf Town Burlington) was looking to advance his career at PGA Tour of Canada Fall Qualifying School. The event was held at Crosswinds GC in Burlington ON where the Top 15 finishers earned Full Status for 2013 and the next 15 earned Partial Status. Kim fired a final round 2 under par 70 highlighted by a 3 under 33 on his inward nine to move into a tie for 19th and earn partial status for next season.
#6 Fraser McIntyre Fires 71 in GHT Event #1 Greystone GC
The first event of the season was held at Greystone GC in Milton ON and was the scene of the worst weather the GHT played in all season. It was held on Monday April 30th, and the initial forecast was for a high of 10 degrees with sunny breaks. A front came in and caught all players by surprise in the afternoon and the conditions never topped 4 degrees (Realfeel -2) and a steady rain settled in for most of the afternoon. At the end of the day, a score of 81 would make a check. Only one score in the afternoon broke 77 and it was Fraser McIntyre (Trafalgar G&CC) who fired a one under par 71 and beat out Conor O'Shea who posted his score of 72 first thing in the cool yet dry morning. This was the start of an impressive season for McIntyre, and though he found the winners circle three times, this win was truly the grittiest and most rewarding of them all.
#5 Junior Golfer Nic Ross Collects 49 Points in Pro/Junior Golf Classic
The 2nd Annual Pro/Junior Golf Classic was held on Thursday August 16th at Southern Pines G&CC in Mt. Hope ON. The tricky executive length golf course played tough and was the final event of the Regular Season on the GHT. The table was set for lots of drama as many players were attempting to jockey for position in the Wick Agencies Order of Merit standings and also help out their junior partners. The Pro/Junior Golf Classic is a Modified Stableford point scoring format where bogey = 1pt, par = 2pts, birdie = 4pts, eagle = 8pts. 17 year old Nic Ross was the best on this day as he posted 49 points and was 6 points better then Professionals Fraser McIntyre and Matt Robinson (Heron Point). Ross would go on to win the Junior Division and Team Division with professional partner Stephen Marshall (Golf Town Hamilton). Ross' gross score was equal to 5 under par 56 on the par 61 layout and featured 5 birdies and an eagle.
#4 Brian Hutton/Fraser McIntyre Fire 66's at Southbrook
Southbrook Golf Club in Binbrook ON has been the home to GHT Member Brian Hutton since 1998 and it came as no surprise that he would post a good score at Event #4. However, heading into the final hole Hutton was two shots behind good friend and competitor Fraser McIntyre. Hutton was sitting at 5 under par for his round and McIntyre at 7 under. An untimely bogey by McIntyre and a finishing birdie by Hutton tied the two at 6 under par 66. With recent construction and re-routing of the golf course, the score fired by the pair makes them co-holders of the new course record. This definitely ranks as one of the feel good stories of the GHT season.
#3 Yong Woo Kim Wins John H. Davis Cup
Yong Woo Kim made his debut on the GHT at Event #2 Hidden Lake GC and made a statement by winning his first event. He then followed it up with a win at Event #3 Glendale G&CC. With a new point system in place, it looked like Kim would runaway with the John H. Davis Cup. However, Fraser McIntyre and Ed Maunder (Deerfield) looked to keep the overall standings tight. McIntyre would win one event outright at Event #1 Greystone and share victories at the Pro/Junior Golf Classic and Event #4 Southbrook G&CC. Maunder would not win an event this season, but was consistently placing inside the top 5 at every event and managed to compete in all 8 events and gain a significant amount of points. In the final event of the Playoffs at Glencairn, four players had a chance to capture the John H. Davis Cup. Kim, Maunder, McIntyre, and Jim Kenesky were in the last group and the top three were only separated by 9 points after 7 events. In the end, it came down to a clutch par putt on 17 by Kim and then a birdie at 18 to secure the win over Fraser McIntyre and take home the John H. Davis Cup.
#2 Ciaran McAleavey Wins PGA of Ontario Fall Championship
Any time a GHT Member wins on the provincial or national stage, it makes a statement of how good the depth of the tour is. Ciaran McAleavey (Glen Abbey) put together a solid stretch of golf in the fall including a great win at the Georgian Bay Club in the PGA of Ontario Fall Championship. McAleavey would fire 4 under par 68 on a breezy cool day to win by one shot over Danny King and PGA of Ontario Player of the Year Bill Walsh. McAleavey would go on to share the win at Event #8 Glencairn on the GHT a couple weeks later. He also had a great showing at the PGA of Ontario Championship earlier in the year at Barrie CC finishing T5.
#1 Brian Hutton Wins PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada
After a long cool day and in the pitch black, Brett Walker (Hidden Lake GC) launches his third and final drive 291 yards to win the Golf Supply House Long Drive Championship at Lionhead GC. He was the final contestant and comes after a wild finish in the PGA of Ontario Fall Scramble contested earlier in the day. The drive unleashed by Walker beat the previous leader by 1 yard. Walker qualified for the event by securing the Longest Drive on the qualifying hole earlier in the day during the scramble portion.
#9 Conor O'Shea Quaterfinalist at PGA Championship of Canada
Conor O'Shea (Piper's Heath) went out to Calgary for the PGA Championship of Canada with only a few tournament rounds under his belt. With a handful of GHT members in the field, O'Shea advanced the furthest in the match play event and made it to the Quaterfinals. The third round is what makes the story intriguing. His competitor was former GHT Tour President Ron Kenesky. O'Shea beat Kenesky 3&1. However, he eventually lost in the next round to Eddward Boudreau 2&1. The PGA Championship of Canada is the top prize in the PGA of Canada and sees the top 64 on the National Player Rankings battle it out for the prestigious P.D. Ross Trophy.
#8 Walker/Kenesky/Kim Capture PGA of Ontario Fall Scramble - Legends Course
This story doesn't seem anything special to most, but the team put together of GHT members Brett Walker (Hidden Lake GC)/ Jim Kenesky (Lowville GC)/ Yong Woo Kim (Golf Town Burlington) and the fashion in which they won is worthy of a top story. Sitting at 7 under par with only three holes left to play, Brett Walker makes a natural birdie on the par 3 third hole to get the team to 8 under par. Walker then proceeds to hit two solid shots and makes a 15 footer for a natural eagle on the par 5 4th hole. Now sitting at 10 under par with one hole to play, Walker smashes a drive to 70 yards out on the par 4 5th. Then as the second to play, Kenesky holes out the 70 yard shot for eagle and the team finishes at 12 under par. The crazy birdie-eagle-eagle finish was good enough to secure a spot in a playoff, where the team eventually won in a shootout to capture the win.
#7 Yong Woo Kim Gains PGA Tour of Canada Status
After a long and successful season, GHT rookie and Wick Agencies Order of Merit Leader Yong Woo Kim (Golf Town Burlington) was looking to advance his career at PGA Tour of Canada Fall Qualifying School. The event was held at Crosswinds GC in Burlington ON where the Top 15 finishers earned Full Status for 2013 and the next 15 earned Partial Status. Kim fired a final round 2 under par 70 highlighted by a 3 under 33 on his inward nine to move into a tie for 19th and earn partial status for next season.
#6 Fraser McIntyre Fires 71 in GHT Event #1 Greystone GC
The first event of the season was held at Greystone GC in Milton ON and was the scene of the worst weather the GHT played in all season. It was held on Monday April 30th, and the initial forecast was for a high of 10 degrees with sunny breaks. A front came in and caught all players by surprise in the afternoon and the conditions never topped 4 degrees (Realfeel -2) and a steady rain settled in for most of the afternoon. At the end of the day, a score of 81 would make a check. Only one score in the afternoon broke 77 and it was Fraser McIntyre (Trafalgar G&CC) who fired a one under par 71 and beat out Conor O'Shea who posted his score of 72 first thing in the cool yet dry morning. This was the start of an impressive season for McIntyre, and though he found the winners circle three times, this win was truly the grittiest and most rewarding of them all.
#5 Junior Golfer Nic Ross Collects 49 Points in Pro/Junior Golf Classic
The 2nd Annual Pro/Junior Golf Classic was held on Thursday August 16th at Southern Pines G&CC in Mt. Hope ON. The tricky executive length golf course played tough and was the final event of the Regular Season on the GHT. The table was set for lots of drama as many players were attempting to jockey for position in the Wick Agencies Order of Merit standings and also help out their junior partners. The Pro/Junior Golf Classic is a Modified Stableford point scoring format where bogey = 1pt, par = 2pts, birdie = 4pts, eagle = 8pts. 17 year old Nic Ross was the best on this day as he posted 49 points and was 6 points better then Professionals Fraser McIntyre and Matt Robinson (Heron Point). Ross would go on to win the Junior Division and Team Division with professional partner Stephen Marshall (Golf Town Hamilton). Ross' gross score was equal to 5 under par 56 on the par 61 layout and featured 5 birdies and an eagle.
#4 Brian Hutton/Fraser McIntyre Fire 66's at Southbrook
Southbrook Golf Club in Binbrook ON has been the home to GHT Member Brian Hutton since 1998 and it came as no surprise that he would post a good score at Event #4. However, heading into the final hole Hutton was two shots behind good friend and competitor Fraser McIntyre. Hutton was sitting at 5 under par for his round and McIntyre at 7 under. An untimely bogey by McIntyre and a finishing birdie by Hutton tied the two at 6 under par 66. With recent construction and re-routing of the golf course, the score fired by the pair makes them co-holders of the new course record. This definitely ranks as one of the feel good stories of the GHT season.
#3 Yong Woo Kim Wins John H. Davis Cup
Yong Woo Kim made his debut on the GHT at Event #2 Hidden Lake GC and made a statement by winning his first event. He then followed it up with a win at Event #3 Glendale G&CC. With a new point system in place, it looked like Kim would runaway with the John H. Davis Cup. However, Fraser McIntyre and Ed Maunder (Deerfield) looked to keep the overall standings tight. McIntyre would win one event outright at Event #1 Greystone and share victories at the Pro/Junior Golf Classic and Event #4 Southbrook G&CC. Maunder would not win an event this season, but was consistently placing inside the top 5 at every event and managed to compete in all 8 events and gain a significant amount of points. In the final event of the Playoffs at Glencairn, four players had a chance to capture the John H. Davis Cup. Kim, Maunder, McIntyre, and Jim Kenesky were in the last group and the top three were only separated by 9 points after 7 events. In the end, it came down to a clutch par putt on 17 by Kim and then a birdie at 18 to secure the win over Fraser McIntyre and take home the John H. Davis Cup.
#2 Ciaran McAleavey Wins PGA of Ontario Fall Championship
Any time a GHT Member wins on the provincial or national stage, it makes a statement of how good the depth of the tour is. Ciaran McAleavey (Glen Abbey) put together a solid stretch of golf in the fall including a great win at the Georgian Bay Club in the PGA of Ontario Fall Championship. McAleavey would fire 4 under par 68 on a breezy cool day to win by one shot over Danny King and PGA of Ontario Player of the Year Bill Walsh. McAleavey would go on to share the win at Event #8 Glencairn on the GHT a couple weeks later. He also had a great showing at the PGA of Ontario Championship earlier in the year at Barrie CC finishing T5.
#1 Brian Hutton Wins PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada
Brian Hutton wins CPC
Stories can be written from imagination but the best stories come from great people doing great things. In this case, when Brian Hutton signed his scorecard after the final round of this year's PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada he was in line to make some history. When Danny King failed to get his ball up and down from behind the 18th green, Hutton won his second CPC in 3 years. Hutton's rounds of 70-74-70 = 214 was good for a one shot victory. At the start of the week, Hutton was not even sure if he was going to play as his father had passed away, but he stayed the course and played his heart out and won for his dad. The win jumps Hutton to 6th in the PGA of Canada Player Rankings and is now the top GHT member on that distinguished list. View Brian's interview below for the complete story.
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