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GTA AM TOUR Returns to Muskoka to take on Taboo!!!

 

Gravenhust ON (July 07, 2014) - After a two week hiatus, the GTA AM Tour was back this week, making another trek to cottage country. Taboo Resort, in Gravenhurst, was our fabulous host for the inaugural Ultra 94 Premium Open. The Taboo Golf Club is the centerpiece of a world class resort and full conference facility that offers great dining, luxurious accommodations and year-round indoor and outdoor activities, all set in an overwhelmingly spectacular environment. The golf course, a 7,300 yards, par 71, Ron Garl designed layout, is carved into the majestic Canadian Shield, and is a strikingly beautiful golf experience that challenges players of all skill levels. Taboo provides ample fairways and landing areas off the tees; the greens were where the players would be tested, having to navigate the challenging complexes which are well protected by soft sand bunkers, grass swales, collection areas and false fronts, all getting in the way of good scores. Though not overly undulating, the extremely quick putting surfaces have subtle and not so subtle slopes that can potentially bring the dreaded three putt into play. Competitors would, once again, be tested by Mother Nature as the day started off in overcast conditions, accompanied by rain and drizzle, but, at around two in the afternoon, the clouds would break, the sun would shine and so would the competitors.

 

In the Championship Flight, Ryan Taylor (Uxbridge, ON) would mark his second win of the Tour season, turning in another outstanding round that was a masterpiece of steady play and determination, carding 14 pars, one birdie, two bogies, and one double bogie for a three over par, round of 74 that would prove good enough, for a four stroke victory. Alone, in second, and for the third time this season was Robert Genno (Washago, ON) who was close with a round of 78. Coming in third, fresh off his win two weeks ago at Copetown Woods, was Tour rookie Tyson Louth (Washago, ON). This marked his second ever GTA AM Tour event and yet another top three placing, with a round of 80. The Championship Flight's Myrtle Beach Order of Merit continues to see John Harrington holding down top spot with 460 points, and a 25 point lead. Making a big move today, second place finisher, Robert Genno (Washago , ON), moves up two spots to second and a top three placing with 435 points. Slipping one spot to third was Peter Willis (Aurora, ON), who took the week off and sits with 410 points.

 

The A-Flight would crown yet another first time winner as Nigel Meakin, playing in his first GTA AM Tour event, turned in a great round of golf. Nigel would go out on the front nine and fire a solid score of 37, setting him up very well. On the back nine, rain would settle over the area and add a bit of challenge to an already thought-provoking nine holes of golf. Nigel would struggle to keep it together, managing a 43 for a total of 80 on his day. When all competitors had turned in their cards, Nigel's 80 would turn out to be good enough, by two, to take home the $250 Ultra 94 Premium Gas Card first place prizing. Alone, in second, and continuing his outstanding play this year , is Shavi Kahlon (Brooklin, ON) who made it a perfect five for five, scoring in a top three position, and turning in a round of 82. To determine third place, card matching was required, as two players, Matt Ward (Barrie, ON) and Darryl Scott (London, ON) found themselves tied with matching scores of 83. When matching the inward nine scores, the two would remain deadlocked, with matching 42's. When matching the final six holes, a winner would be revealed and Matt would claim third place, carding a score of 26, over Darryl, who had 28. The A-Flight's Myrtle Beach Order of Merit sees Shavi still holding down the number one spot and improving his lead to 75 points with 385 points. Moving up one spot, into second place, is Matt Ward with 310 points and, slipping into third, Rick Wright sits with 257.5 points.

 

In the B-Flight, it would be Michael Cann, for a second time on the season, celebrating a win in Muskoka. Michael would have a day best described as a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde type of round. He would struggle on the front nine, starting out with a par to begin his day, however, the next eight holes could not end fast enough as he would card three bogies, and four doubles; the only bright spot on the nine came on the seventh hole, with a birdie. Micheael would finish the nine with a 46. The back nine went much better, starting off with a birdie on the tenth and adding another on the thirteenth to complete the first six holes on the back with an impressive two under. However, Michael's Mr. Hyde game would return, closing out the nine with a couple of bogies and a double on the eighteenth for a 37; a nine stroke swing from the front, for a round of 83. Alone in second, another Tour Rookie making his mark early on Tour, playing in his first event, Ron Pukowsky (Toronto, ON) would play a steady round of golf, carding an 84 on his day to take home a new club from TaylorMade for his efforts. To determine third place, card matching was required, as two players, Bruce MacDonald (Aurora, ON) and Sunil Gunness (Toronto, ON) found themselves tied with matching scores of 85. When matching the inward nine scores, it would be Bruce who would claim third place, carding a score of 45 on the back nine, over Sunil, who carded 46. In the B-Flight's Myrtle Beach Order of Merit, Michael Cann, today's winner, is the clear leader, sitting 520 points and a comfortable lead of 187.5 points. Alone, in second, is John Farrugia, with 332.5. However, John is far from sitting comfortably, as Mark Armatage lurks only 7.5 points back, in third, with 325 points.

 

In the C-Flight, it would come down to a playoff to determine the winner of today's Ultra 94 Premium Open. When all the scorecards were in, there would be two tied at 93: the current C-Flight Myrtle Beach Order of Merit leader, Bob Sikorski (Toronto, ON) and, making his return to the C-Flight for the first time this season, Troy Langley (Uxbridge, ON) would head off to the first hole for a sudden death playoff. The first hole would not solve anything and would require a second, coming down to who could tame the smooth slick greens. Troy was able to do the taming, making his putts while Bob left his short to giving Troy his first victory of the season. Alone in third, and fresh off his win at his last event the Muskoka Major, Jay White (Huntsville, ON) was able to put together a round of 97. The C-Flight Myrtle Beach Order of Meritcontinues to see today's second place finisher, Bob Sikorski, hold down top spot, with 515 points, maintaining a 92.5 point lead over Krish Nair, who has 422.5 points. Alone in third, Clayton MacKay sits with 335 points.

 

Another one of the many ways to win on Tour is Net score; this is a calculation of the all the players who did not place in the top three gross winning positions in their respective Flights. The top two Net winner at each event will receive one dozen TaylorMade golf balls and one case (24) of Mill Street beer. This week winners were Sunil Gunness and Mark Armatage with matching scores of 69. In addition to the season-long Gross Score, Myrtle Beach Order of Merit, players will compete for a parallel season-long Net Score Order of Merit and after 11 events Mark Matusiak leads with 493.5 and in second Micheal Cann with 474.5 for complete standings click on the link.

 

The winner of the closest-to-the-pin was Jay Skukowski, winning a dozen TaylorMade golf balls. As in previous years, and at every event, there will be the Mazda Hole in One hole, where all players will have a chance to win a $2,500 sponsor product shopping spree. The winner of the Hole in One closest to the pin contest was Kevin Morris. Along with these prizes, Petro-Canada, TaylorMade and Mill Street Brewery products are awarded to the top 3 finishers in each of the four Flights. The Tour also awards a draw prize at each event for a $50 certificate redeemable at the Mill Street Brew Pub; today's winner of the Mill Street Brewery Certificate was Jake Naccarato.

 

Another new addition to the 2014 Tour prizing is an opportunity to win a $20 Ultra 94 Preferred Pricing gas card. A per-event draw will take place from all players who fire a score of 94. The winner of the BMO World Elite, Ultra 94 $20 gas card this week was Mike DiFlorio of the B-Flight.

 

Taboo Resort - July 7th 2014
Taboo Resort - July 7th 2014

Click here to view THE RESULTSfrom today's event the Ultra 94 Premium Open played today at Taboo. Also, to see all the actions from today's event check out these great pictures! We are certain you will enjoy watching today's video courtesy of Tour Sponsor Capture Scratch. We hope you have a chance to check them out and download them for FREE!!

 

Next week the GTA AM Tour will play its third, two-day 36-hole event where Order of Merits points and prizing increase by 50%. The Mazda Major will be played on Sunday July 14th and Monday July 15th at Osprey Valley Resorts. Space is still available, sign up today! 

 

ABOUT THE GTA AM TOUR:

The GTA AM Tour is owned and operated by Canadian Golf Tours Inc. and is sponsored byBMO World Elite MasterCardTaylorMade Golf CanadaMazda CanadaMill Street BreweryUltra 94Nature ValleyMyrtle Beach Golf HolidayECCO ShoesP.J. Dermody Insurance BrokersJoshua KingsmillProdigy HeadwearLG Electronics Canada Inc.CellworksSundog EyewearGolf Away ToursParadym TechPrivileged PlayThe Golf LabPixelcarvePacific LinksBright Blue WaveDyma, Honsberger Physiotherapy and Biomechanics ClinicCapture Scratch and Fame International Salon and SpaTournament rules officials are organized through the Royal Canadian Golf Association.

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