Over 30 competitors from five different divisions did battle this past weekend at the first EVER club tournament held at Camp Byng in Roberts Creek.
This post will recap the day’s events, highlight our top performers and provide all competitors with an update to our season standings.
Junior Division
Beckett’s back!
Beckett Thomson made his season debut this past weekend and what a debut it was! Not only did Beckett shoot the hot score in the Junior Division, but he also helped show his opponents around the course and helped parent volunteer Shawn Kendel keep score. Oh… and if that weren’t enough, he also won the CTP prize as well!
Beckett is a skilled player whose ‘off the tee’ ability enables him to play holes smartly and limit mistakes. “His drives are just so good,” said 3rd place Junior competitor Jacob Quigley. “He throws it like an adult, maybe even better than some adults I saw there…”
Hayden Kendel secured another 2nd place finish and is now beginning to put some distance between himself and other Junior competitors. Kendel’s enthusiasm for the game and his dedication to improving is infectious. The kids are alright!
Shoutout to Junior competitors Lily and Evan Connors for rounding out our Junior card and for putting off their weekend chores by convincing me to drag them along. Again, big thanks to Shawn for showing our Junior competitors a good time out there.
Recreational Division
The new guy takes it!
Club newcomer Alexander Rainville takes down his first club tournament in his first club event!
Alex, who is originally from Roberts Creek but resides now in Toronto, recently joined the club as a way to meet some new people and to get some exercise during his summer back at home. Now, he’s a champion and has quickly climbed the Rec division standings!
The humble Rainville played safe, smart golf on Sunday and managed to steady himself down the stretch. Heading into the Final 9 just two shots back of 2nd place finisher Lisa Furfaro, Rainville limited mistakes and was able to edge out Furfaro by a single stroke over 27 holes. Just behind Furfaro was Rec Division leader Aaron Walker with a steady 3rd place performance.
Truthfully though, the race in Rec may have been the hottest race of the day. All three competitors were in close competition, with Walker dropping off the pace on the final two holes of the day. It was anyone’s tournament to win, so credit to Rainville for clutching up.
Intermediate Division
Playoffs!?!?! We’re talkin’ ’bout playoffs!?!?! You kiddin’ me!?!?!
It took a four hole playoff, but it someone finally, mercifully defeated Intermediate Division gatekeeper Rod Dalziel.
Aaron Beckingham has been close at each and every event this season and on Sunday he finally broke through. Beckingham earned his first event victory after a 31 hole showdown with Dalziel. The pair were deadlocked after 18 holes, then deadlocked again after 27 holes. But it was Beckingham who dared to Birdie first in the playoff, carding a 2 on Hole 4 (with a forehand btw, just sayin’) to earn the victory. What a battle.
Taking 3rd place is Jerry Griffin with yet another solid performance. Griffin made a move during the Final 9 to separate himself from the likes of James Kwantes and Chael Macarthur and earns himself a solo podium spot as a result. Griffin continues to creep up the standings and looks poised to earn himself a victory should Dalziel and Beckingham allow him the opportunity. Stay tuned… this one ain’t over yet.
Advanced Division
The King finally gets his crown!
Club veteran and all around good guy Callum McDonald finally earns himself a victory after finishing 2nd place almost as many times as some dude named, “Connors”. McDonald has finished 2nd place in a number of events going back to 2021. In fact, he earned himself an Intermediate Division championship in 2021 despite never winning an event! The guy is the model of consistency and now he’s a winner… no asterisk required.
“Calm your mind and your ass will follow,” said McDonald following the event. “I don’t’ know if that’s good advice, but that’s what I do anyways.”
Wise words from a somewhat wise man.
It was a crowded podium three stokes back of McDonald with Theo Ephraim, Jeremy Newman and Chris Hodgson all tying for 2nd place. These three men, along with 5th place finisher Dave Lacroix pushed McDonald as far as they could, but nothing would deter McDonald in his quest to win The Cash and The Sash.
Big ups to McDonald for once again donating his tournament winnings back to the club! This guy’s the total package.
Open Division
Vengeance!
Club OG and GStar Wraith enthusiast Denny Nordli finally put it all together this past weekend to earn himself his first club victory of the season. Nordli, 2021 Open Division champion, has been close at every event this season, most notably losing the Tour Tee-Off in a playoff against Dean Miles.
No playoff needed this time around though as Nordli took care of business during regulation… but just barely. Nordli secured a 1 stroke victory over both Glen Whitlock and Anthony Paul and it took all 27 holes to nail it down.
With all three competitors tied heading into the difficult, par 4 hole 16 (their 27th hole) some shorted approaches and missed putts from both Whitlock and Paul gave Nordli all the opportunity he needed. With just a 20 foot putt between him and victory, Nordli threw his well worn Dagger into the heart of the chains before exclaiming, “I putted my ass off today!”
Hard to disagree. There was barely anything back there to begin with!
Nordli’s victory represents the 4th consecutive Open victory by a unique competitor. Miles won the Tour Tee-Off, Matt Smith won the Spring Fling, Paul won The Classic and now Nordli has won The Majestic. The result is a crowded leaderboard with some serious points up for grabs at next month’s Major. Compelling and very, very serious frisbee golf standings, it’s what we all live for.
Next Tournament: The Painter’s Open
Our next club tournament, The Painter’s Open sponsored by Matthew Kliewer Painting, is shaping up to be our biggest and best event of the year. If you haven’t yet RSVP’ed please do some ASAP as there are limited spaces available and this is an event that requires a lot of logistical planning beforehand.
