Brad Clapp of Chilliwack Golf & Country Club won the PGA of BC Championship, a three-day tournament that wrapped up Wednesday at Crown Isle.
The 25-year-old never trailed in the event. He followed an opening round 65 with a six-under par 66 on Tuesday and 73 Wednesday for a 12-under par total. He earned $5,000 for the victory.
“Today’s round was quite a battle,” Clapp said as he hoisted the trophy. “I holed quite a few putts, including two long ones, and I’m glad it was enough to win.”
He finished four strokes ahead of second-place finisher Kevin Maxwell of Victoria’s Olympic View Golf Club. In the final round, Maxwell came within one shot of Clapp’s original five stroke lead but a couple of late miscues and a couple of long putts from Clapp cemented the title.
“I was disappointed to see my lead drop to one stroke, but kudos to Max for playing so well and applying the pressure,” said Clapp, who has shot 30-under par (63,64,65,66=258) in his last four PGA of BC tournament rounds. The PGA tour scoring record is 254, held by Tommy Armour III at the 2003 Valero Texas Open.
After opening with a 72, Maxwell fired an eight-under par 64 Tuesday, breaking Clapp’s course record set in the first round. He earned $3,750. The 30-year old Maxwell is no stranger to Crown Isle as he grew up playing junior golf at the course.
Defending champion Lindsay Bernakevitch of Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club was third at seven-under par. He earned $3,000.
The championship had additional meaning for the club professionals. The top 17 finishers qualify for the 2012 PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada, Nov. 18-21 in Florida. The top four will represent Team B.C. at the inter-zone matches. This team will be represented by Maxwell, Rob Anderson of Kelowna, Crown Isle’s Jason Andrew and Kevin Black of Seven Hills Golf & Country Club.
Andrew finished at one-over par (72, 72, 73). He earned $475.
