EMOTIONS RUN HIGH AT THE AIR CANADA TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Niagara Falls, ON (Sunday, October 2 & Monday, October 3, 2016) - A fantastic finish to another phenomenal season! The 2016 Air Canada Tour Championship was held at the wonderful Rees Jones Course at Grand Niagara. It w
as the perfect setting for
this year's Air Canada Tour Championship, providing lasting memories for all who attended. As Rees Jones said, upon the build completion: “We have built a golf course. at the Grand Niagara Club, that could host a major championship.”
Upon the competition of round one, Tour sponsors, players and their guests were treated to an AMAZINGLY tasty and varied spread at the season ending banquet. Everyone present relished in this opportunity to gather, relax and to share stories of the almost completed 2016 Tour season.
The final event of the 2016 Tour season is always bittersweet for players. There was excitement for those in the hunt, for the season-long Myrtle Beach Order of Merit competition. And, for everyone, there was the knowledge that this may be the last time we see one another for a while.
This two day event would see Ryan Taylor, of the Championship Flight, come out with a solid first day 76 and post an even better score of 71 on day two. His two day total of 147 landed Ryan in first place in the Championship Flight. Second place was won by Sean Lackey, who posted a two day total of 153. Third place was secured by Robert Sterling, who carded a two day total of 158 that saw him shoot a blistering 75 on day two.
A Flight's Michael Corvese was crowned champ of this two day event, shooting a day one 79 and second day 80, for a smooth 159. One stoke back was Tour regular, Scott (go low) Lundy, who opened with a 78 and posted an 82 on day two, for a tournament total of 160. Matching this score, and securing third spot, was Chris Corvese, who shot the same daily scores as second place finisher Scott Lundy. This tie would be decided by a thumb war, arm wrestle and card matching, all of which resulted in Scott Lundy being awarded second place and Chris Corvese finishing in third.
A flying finish would best describe the B Flight battle as Billy Hutzul came out carding a round of 83 on day one but day two really gave him the edge, as he shot a beauty round of 77. This gave Billy a two day total of 160 and the victory. Looking to claim victory in the Myrtle Beach Order of Merit was Micheal Cann, who shot a sparkling first day 78 and backed it up with second day of 87. This gave Michael a total of 165 which was all it took for him to lock up both second place, for the event and the 2016 B Flight Myrtle Beach Order of Merit. Right behind Michael was Frank O'Brien who was looking for every point he could get. Frank shot a day one round of 80 and slipped slightly on day two with an 87. This gave Frank a two day total of 167 and third spot.
As C Flight started rounding the clubhouse, it was evident that a race to the top was in the making and Rod Skelton was up for the challenge, shooting 88 on Sunday and 90 on day two. This gave Rod a two day total of 178 and the edge required for a victory. Battling hard behind was Sandy Zajac, who started day two only three shots behind Rod, with a 91. Day two saw Sandy shoot a 97, for a two day total of 188 which would be enough to secure second place in the event and a nice injection of Myrtle Beach Order of Merit points. Securing third spot was Steve Roberts who had an opening round 98 and posted a day two round of 93 for a total of 191.
Senior A Flight was led, wire to wire, by Kevin Wallwork with a round one 101 and a fantastic second round of 78 totaling 179.
Leading the way in the Senior B Flight would be Robert Stodgell, opening with a steady round of 82, followed by a sensational day two round of 75, for a two day total of 157 to win the event. David MacLachlan posted a day one 91 and followed up with 88 on day two, totalling 179 to secure second at the event and much needed points to land on top of the Order of Merit. Rizalde Cuachon would settle for a third place finish shooting 98 and 97 for a two day total 195.
Women's Flight would see Christa Brown post a first round net 78 and a second round net 75, giving her an event total of net 153 to secure a win this week. Laura DiFlorio would finish day one with net 78 and would improve upon that, in day two, with a score of net 76. Her two day today of 154 was only one behind winner Christa. Tour veteran Sandra Stuckless posted a first day net 87 followed by a day two net 75, totaling net 162 for the event and a third place finish.
