THE ALWAYS EXCITING NATIONAL PINES HOSTS THE MID SEASON TAYLORMADE MAJOR
BARRIE ON (July 17 & 18, 2016) - This weeks tour stop would mark the midway point of the 2016 GTA AM Tour season with the second major being played at National Pines Golf Club in Barrie. With the season progressing, competition is at an all time high as players fight for position in the overall points ranking hoping to capture the season long title of champion and what better place to have the mid season tilt than National Pines as it arguably has some the most exciting greens you can have with you clothes on.
Designed by Thomas McBroom, National Pines Golf Club was third in Golf Digest’s ranking of best new courses in Canada when it opened in 1992. National Pines is a great walking course that predominantly features Lovers Creek which comes into play 14 times during a round. The course, which opens with a front-nine meadowlands layout, transforms its personality as it routes through the thick stands of pines on the back nine. On most holes, strategic decisions need to be made off the tee, offering the choice of a demanding high risk-high reward drive (including nine forced carries) or a more conservative line. National Pines Golf Club also requires players to think their way through the course in order strategically position approach shots into the undulating greens.
As round one of this two day TaylorMade Major would get under way 35km/h winds would add another dimension to this already challenging course, it was Champ Flight's Robert Sterling and Michael Garner who would lead the way both shooting 80, with Tom Fraser in close second with 81 and Michael Alderman a couple back sitting at 83. A Flight would see a steady 79 from Shavi Kahlon to lead the pack, Mark Morrison and Jeff Truman battling it out for second spot with matching 82' and Ian Murray hanging in at 83. Adam Angilletta would come out of the gate charging to lead the B Flight with a blistering first round 80, next best Mike DiFlorio with 85 and Christian Anderson hanging in at 86. C Flight would be tightly grouped on day one and leaving it up for grabs, but Rick Jones would slide through shooting 91, Jay White hot on his heels with 92 and Sandy Zajac and Franco Aceto ready to pounce both shooting 94. Kevin Wallwork from Senior A Flight would post opening round of 83, Michael Milner of Senior B 98 and Women's Flight, Mavis Knight would record a first day 100.
Day two of the TaylorMAde Major would see sunny skies, 26 degrees and 26km/h winds, would be ideal for "moving day" on the leaderboard. While Champ Flights Tom Fraser and Michael Alderman would shoot matching 82's it was Robert Sterling's 83 that would see him tied with Tom Fraser at the top sharing a two day total (163), this would force a playoff and would be won by Robert Sterling on the first hole awarding him this weeks Champ Flight title. While in A Flight Matt Ward would come out blazing a trail shooting a Flight winning 75, two day total 162 for the title, Shavi Kahlon would slide back to second place carding 84 163) and Mark Morrison would secure a third place finish shooting 85 (167). B Flight's Adam Angilletta would shoot a second round 89 giving him a two day total of 169 for the win. Frank O'Brien would improve 3 strokes on day two shooting 85, giving him a event total of 173 while Derek Peters would climb up and take third position with and 85 (174). C Flight's Rick Jones would maintain his tp spot from day one shooting 95, 186 total for the C Flight title, Brad Trew, Sandy Zajac and Jay White would all combine two day totals of 187, after card matching it would be determined that Brad Trew would take second place and Sandy Zajac would be awarded third spot.
