Veteran lefthander wins Men’s Club championship Sunday at St. Marys G&CC
Story by Pat Payton | St.Marys Independent Newspaper
Tom Westerveld picked the right two days to shoot his best-ever scores from the Blue tees at St. Marys Golf and Country Club.
Westerveld, 52, captured the 2022 Men’s Club title this past Sunday after firing a one-over-par 73. He opened the two-day championship with an even-par 72 on Aug. 20, giving him a stellar 145 two-day total.
Day Two was originally scheduled for the previous Sunday (Aug. 21), but was called off due to rain and the threat of more rain and thunderstorms. Golfers enjoyed near-perfect playing conditions this past Sunday.
Golfers played the back nine first, and Westerveld had a double bogey on the par 3 No. 16 hole, but he also penciled in four birdies to shoot an even-par 37. On the front nine, he finished his round with eight pars and a bogey.
“I just played my game, playing nice and easy and not over-doing it,” the veteran lefthander told the Independent. “I just tried to hit the fairways and greens, and two-putt and get pars. I let the birdies fly where they may.
“Usually in tournaments, I struggle. But I came into this one thinking, just play easy . . . don’t try and kill it and out-drive people. I knew my wedge and irons game was really good coming in. As long as I got the ball on the fairway, I was pretty confident I could get on the green. And my putter has been coming alive lately, so I just kept chugging along.”
Goal to be Club champion
Westerveld, who is a three handicapper, described the feeling of being the new Club champion as “great.” Over the two days, he collected 10 birdies.
“I joined the Club four years ago, and my goal was to be Club champion at some point. It was a bit of a relief today, I’ll be able to sleep tonight,” he added with a laugh.
Defending Club champion Taylor Booth finished as ‘A’ Division champion (for 0 to 7 handicaps) this year. He had rounds of 76 and 75 for a 151 two-day total. Runner-up was Matt Murray shooting 151 (75-76). Mitch Watt was next with a 154 (76-78).
In the Men’s ‘B’ Division (for handicaps 5 to 8), Cole Stewart topped the field with rounds of 81 and 78 for a 159 two-day total. Finishing second, due to retrogression, was Stew Grant (82-77). Troy Carter (80-80) was third.
In the Men’s ‘C’ Division (for 9 to 12 handicaps), Mike Gregory finished first after rounds of 77 and 89 for a 166 two-day total. Jason Firby (85-81) was second due to retrogression. Graham Glousher (85-87) was third.
In the Men’s ‘D’ Division (for 13-plus handicaps), Kody Smith (88-92) finished first, followed by Ben Ehgoetz (88-95) and Scott Jackson (91-93).
Overall, low net champion in the Men’s division was Kevin McCotter. He had rounds of 80 and 75 in the ‘B’ Division, resulting in a net score of 139.
Parsons wins ninth straight Senior title at St. Marys G&CC
There is only one name on the Senior Men’s Club Championship plaque at St. Marys Golf and Country Club.
And it belongs to Rich Parsons. He won the Senior Club title again on Sunday after shooting a three-over-par 75. Along with an opening-day 77, it gave Parsons a two-day total of 152 and a two-shot victory.
Finishing second was Rick Coon, who had rounds of 79 and 75 for a 154 total.
Parsons, who carries a 0 handicap, went into the final day one shot behind first-day leader Jimmy Craigmile, who had posted a 76 on Aug. 20. Craigmile had an 80 on Sunday to finish third in the ‘A’ Division (for 0 to 7 handicaps).
“I just wanted to have fun,” Parsons replied when asked what his mindset was going into Day Two of the championship. “I didn’t do anything real well, but I ground it out.
“I had a lot of fun today. It was nice that Rick Coon battled with me. We were tied with four holes to play, and I was only one up after 16 holes.”
In the Seniors ‘B’ Division (for 8 to 11 handicaps), Ron Howard finished first with a 170 (84-86) two-day total. Derek Vander Linden was second with 172 strokes.
In the ‘C’ Division (for 13-plus handicaps), Blake Wood topped the field with a 183 (86-97), followed by Kent McVittie with a 185 (94-91).
The overall low net Seniors winner was Scott Graham. He had consistent rounds of 84-84 for a 168 total, resulting in a net score of 146.
Mills Super Seniors champ
Lefty Bob Mills had rounds of 88 and 92 to take the Super Seniors title with a 180 two-day total.
Second place went to Bill Lowe (91-98).
Ian Grant was low net winner among the Super Seniors. He had rounds of 94 and 97 for a 191 total, resulting in a net score of 159.
McVittie wins Ladies title
Londoner Cheryl McVittie was a runaway winner in the Ladies Division this year.
After an opening-day 87, the first-year member at St. Marys G&CC shot a 94 on Sunday. She was overall gross champion and ‘A’ Division champion.
“I think I drove the ball well, and tried to stay out of trouble . . . both days,” McVittie said. “I was never in the sand, and I only had one penalty stroke (over the two days).”
‘B’ Division champion was Janis Kapp, and overall low net champion was Linda Cooke.
Six ladies competed for the Club title this year.