A regular on the Golf Channel Tour while wintering in Phoenix, Vince Lewis loves playing his home course come the summer.
The 57-year-old long-ball specialist produced rounds of 69 and 73 to claim the Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club’s men’s championships last weekend.
“I think that’s my fifth (win),” said Lewis. “I just stayed calm and kept my composure. I’ve developed a patience and I just let things roll. I was playing with Randy Strang on Sunday and we were complimenting one another and having a lot of fun. That makes a big difference in your play.”
Lewis, a former flamethrowing fastball pitcher, won a Ping bag which he may sell or trade in at GolfTown. He competes in the 0-3.9 index division of the Golf Channel Amateur Tour senior nationals Sept. 25-27, in Palm Springs.
Lewis will play at PGA WEST’s four exclusive courses: Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus Tournament, TPC Stadium and the Arnold Palmer Private Course Tour Sept. 25-27, in Palm Springs. Lewis won his flight last year at Talking Stick Golf Club in Scottsdale.
Emery Bardock, a 21-year-old Camosun College student, took her first Spall ladies crown by carding 79-75.
“My putting was pretty good,” said Bardock, who won a Sun Mountain bag. “My best nine was Sunday when I went 1-under on the back. I birdied 16 and 17. I made a 25-footer on 16 and about a 10-footer on 17. Other than that, I was pretty good at scrambling.”
Aaron Hale, at 144, Strang, at 146, Paul Holtom, at 148, and Bryn Desilets, at 151, rounded out the top-five low gross finishers on the men’s side.
Glen Fester captured the second flight low gross with 158, while Kevin Gartner claimed the third flight at 165 and Jim Arthur won the fourth flight with 162. All four champions pocketed shirt, shorts and hats.
Second low gross finishers by flights were Strang, Jim Pepper (159), Doug Huard (156) and Doug Patton (170). They all carried home new shoes.
Holtom, Gord Holm (165), Bob Collins (168) and Bob Shannon (177) earned FootJoy shirts for being third low gross finishers.
Desilets, Dave Schneider (166), Darold Zukowsky (170) and Brian Paul (181) were fourth in their respective flights. They collercted a dozen ProV1 balls.
Bill Lukacs picked up a Ping bag for taking the overall low net title at 129.
Tyler Galenzoski took low net in the first flight with 136, adding a shirt, shorts and hat to his already GQ-like wardrobe.
Ron Nolan won the second flight at 139, while Dave Haverty ruled the third flight with 142 and James Carr dominated the fourth flight at 143.
Low gross lap prizes went to Dave Gray and Brian Borgford, both at 70, Brian Cook, at 72, and Frank Genaille, at 73.
Bardock, entering her final year of golf management in Victoria, plays all over in the winter, getting the most rounds in at Highland Pacific.
She was runner-up to Katrina Lenoury last year. Lenoury did not play this year.
Past winner Shelley Cooper shot 168 to place second and take home a shirt and visor, while Nancy Laframboise was third with 176, good for a pair of shorts. Patty Metaclf was fourth with 178, earning balls and socks.
Pam Page was the overall low net champion at 137, winning a bag.
Helen Jagow took the second flight low gross with 186, while Faye Viergutz captured the third flight at 204. They each carried home shirts and visors.
Linda Bridgeman was runner-up low gross in the second flight at 197, while Ellie Nelson was second in the third flight at 206. They both won shorts.
Marj Griffin was third low gross in the second flight with 200, while Sharon Fuhr was third in the third flight at 208. They each won balls and socks.
Laurie Arthur took low net in the first flight with 138. Gloria Regier abd Edel Venus both carded 146 in the second and third flights, respectively. All three won shirts and visors.
Collette Burns bagged runner-up in the first flight at 146, while Karen Paul took the second flight at 148 and Jill Gerhardt third flight with 143. They all pocketed shorts.
Low gross lap prizes went to Marsha Allen (71), Lukacs (73), Kay Cornish (75) and Agnes Sakakibara (76).
CHIP SHOTS: Brandon Chai of Vernon carded 79-76-73-228 to finish tied for 27th spot in the B.C. Juvenile Boys Golf Championships last week at Spall. His name was omitted from the final Morning Star report.
