Call it homefield advantage if you will.
On a wind-swept day typical of the Nicola Valley, it was Merritt’s Adrian Reynoldson who emerged victorious in the 2015 edition of the Black’s Pharmacy senior men’s open golf tournament at the Merritt Golf & Country Club on Friday.
“It was a tough battle out there; at least a two to three-club wind all day,” said Reynoldson, who conceded that being familiar with the playing conditions definitely gave local golfers an advantage.
Reynoldson managed to tame the strong breezes sufficiently to shoot a four-over par 76, good for a three-way tie with two other Merritt golfers — defending champion Brad Carr and Jim Irving.
“I had no idea how I had placed after my round,” said Reynoldson. “I had even gone and changed out of my golf gear, and was just relaxing in the clubhouse when [club owner] Sydney [Van Rensberg] came over and said that I was in a playoff in 10 minutes. I quickly had to get ready again.”
The three good friends proceeded to tee off once more on the 525-yard, par five first hole. Both Reynoldson and Carr birdied, while Irving managed only a par and was eliminated.
On the second playoff hole, a 456-yard par four, Reynoldson parred while Carr bogeyed, giving the title to Reynoldson.
One stroke off the pace with a score of 77 in regulation play were Merritt’s Eric Montgomery and Bill Bowling from Kamloops (who plays out of the Rivershore club).
The overall low net winner was Merritt’s Bryon Schmidt at 67.
A total of 60 golfers took part in this year’s event.
Next up on the MGCC’s event calendar is the Ladies Coquihalla Open, scheduled for July 3 to 5.
The ladies’ membership held their club championship playoff last week with 16 golfers taking part. Deb Montgomery (88) and Lynne Price (89) shot the day’s best scores, and will play a 36-hole match final later in the season.
