Kevin Mitchell
Sports Editor
Norm Kreutz won the men’s title in the Fraser Financial Vernon Golf & Country Club Championships and also helped Karen Hassard take the ladies’ crown.
Kreutz, a 56-year-old director of snowsports at Silver Star Mountain Resort, carded a final-round 74 Sunday to finish at 150 for his second straight and fifth overall title. There was a field of 76.
While he was happy to collect $175 in pro shop dollars and another trophy, Kreutz had compassion for young runner-up Randy Todosychuk (151).
“Poor Randy, he double-bogyed 18 to lose by one,” said Kreutz. “He went left off the tee and then hit it over the green. I was telling my wife Debbie I’ve double-bogyed 18 five or six times to lose by one stroke so I know how Randy feels.”
Kreutz encountered some shellshock of his own in Round 1 Saturday, shooting a nasty 10 on the par-4 second hole.
“I hit two out of bounds and hit one in the creek,” said Kreutz, who counted 37 on the front nine. “I didn’t let it bother me at all and I parred every hole after that. I actually played pretty well.”
Kreutz claimed last year’s championship with the same 150, only starting with a 74.
Hassard, meanwhile, captured her eye-popping 24th women’s trophy, carding 80-79-159. She gave some of the credit to Kreutz.
“I golfed with Norm last week and he told me to accelerate through the ball so he helped me a lot,” said Hassard, 76. “He’s such a nice guy and I appreciated the tip.”
Hassard, a former schoolteacher, also praised Vernon pro Justin Baillargeon for fine-tuning her game.
“I took a lesson from Justin because I was hitting my six Hybrid left and right. He showed me how to cut the ball and I was hitting it straight on the weekend so that was a real plus.”
Hassard, who won $100 in pro shop merchandise, topped the field of 23 despite putting poorly until the final nine holes.
There were 13 members in the junior tournament and Braeden Cooper capped an extraordinary local season with 73-77-150 for the title.
Cooper, who turns 15 next month, had trouble with high winds Sunday. He also registered four three-putts.
“I was pretty good on the first day. I hit 16 of 18 greens and just couldn’t make any putts.”
The Hillview City champion received a $75 gift card from the pro shop, but that was spent in a hurry.
“I owed my dad (Roy) some money so I bought him a cap,” chuckled Braeden, who finished six strokes ahead of Jared Larsen and nine in front of Brandon Chai.
Kendra Jones-Munk claimed the junior girls title with 205.
Langdon Kersey pocketed low net at 139, 10 better than Landon Harison.
Jim Maclaren earned low net overall in the men’s tourney at 136, while Todosychuk took low net in the championship flight with 139, followed by Dale Ortman at 143 and Jason Bilodeau at 147.
Cory Hewko took the championship flight low gross at 151, two strokes better than former champion Steve King. Mark Longworth was third with 159.
Peter Smith bagged the first flight low gross at 159, one stroke better than Fred Johnston and three in front of Jesse Bowler. Jason Anderson was low net winner at 143.
Ernie Gare celebrated retirement by ruling the second flight low gross at 165. Brian Ostafew was runner-up at 166. Norm Bickel took low net at 143.
The third flight low gross cash went to Rod Rieger at 165, three shots better than Peter McClean. Low net champ was Mark Roberts with 142.
Fakri Siddiqui topped the fourth flight low gross at 174, while Rob Irving was second at 180. Garry Messina collected low net at 138.
On the ladies’ side, Pam Rieger was the low net winner at 146, four shots in front of Terry Loschuk.
Marla Taylor was low gross runner-up at 169. Lynn Hadfield won the second flight low gross at 188 and Petra McAvoy topped the third flight at 195.
