Vernon’s Conner Kozak was in a seven-way share of 20th spot heading into today’s final round of the 113th B.C. Amateur at Fairview Mountain Golf Club in Oliver.
Kozak, an All-American with the UBC Thunderbirds last season, carded a 6-over 78 Thursday after rounds of 68 and 75. Kozak works and plays out of Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club.
Jared du Toit of Kimberley held a four-stroke lead over Stuart Macdonald of Point Grey in Vancouver at 68-68-69-205. Macdonald produced rounds of 69-66-74.
Kozak was happy to have a front row seat for the fireworks after his 75 Wednesday.
“They were lights out today. Brayden was making birdies everywhere and Stu, well, you heard the roar when he holed out on nine. I used up all my putts yesterday and I just couldn’t get the ball in the hole today.”
Troy Bulmer of Predator Ridge also had a very good round Wednesday, making seven birdies and only two bogeys en route to a 5-under 67. He shot an opening-round 75 and fired 81 Thursday and was in a five-way share of 33rd place at 223.
“This is my first B.C. Am and it’s good because I had to play through the supplemental to get into the field,” said Bulmer, who’s originally from Saskatchewan. “I made my birdies today and I’m getting a better feel for the greens.”
Matt Kreutz of Vernon was tied for 45th after going 75-76-75 for 225.
Macdonald had 115 yards to go on the par-4 9th Wednesday and hit his 54-degree wedge shot to five feet and then watched it roll into the cup for a closing eagle.
“That was a great way to end the round,” said the Purdue Boilermaker senior. “It was a pretty solid day for me, but I still think I left a couple out there.”
Macdonald, starting on the 10th hole, made three birdies on his front nine and one bogey and then added two more birdies before his closing eagle.
Macdonald has an ambitious summer ahead. Not only is he flying out east to play the Monday qualifier for the RBC Canadian Open next week, he’ll also try to Monday qualify for the PGA Tour Canada stop in Calgary and then it’s off to the Canadian Amateur and the U.S. Amateur before he heads right back to Purdue, where, as the only returning senior, he’ll be expected to lead the young squad.
Du Toit started on the back nine in Round 2 and made six birdies and two bogeys, rounding the turn at 4-under 32.
