Christina Proteau and Laura Barlow enjoyed comfortable margins atop the respective low gross and low net standings in the Mount Brenton Golf Club’s ladies’ amateur tournament
Proteau of Port Alberni was the low gross leader among the 66 players competing in the event with a two-day total of 143, following rounds of 73 and 70.
Karen Kloske of March Meadows finished second at 150. She matched Proteau’s 73 in the first round but fell back to 77 on the final day.
Eileen Kelly of Royal Colwood posted rounds of 70 and 75 for a 155 total, Shelly Stouffer from Fairwinds shot 81 and 78 for 159 and Colleen Wheatley from Arbutus Ridge rounded out the top five at 162 from individual rounds of 76 and 86.
Barlow of Mount Brenton was miles ahead in the low net results at 133. The 20-handicapper had rounds of 87 and 86.
Young Emily Adams of Mount Brenton was the low net runner-up. She sports an eight handicap and came in at 146 after rounds of 78 and 84.
Georgina Hermans of Cottonwood, also an eight-handicapper, finished at 148 with rounds of 81 and 83. Susan Kubisheski of Mount Brenton also tallied a 148 low net when her 23 handicap was factored into her scores of 92 and 102.
Laurie Randall of Uplands, who sports a 10 handicap, was fifth in low net with a 149. She shot 85 and 84.
The tournament marks the end of a long tenure for organizer Darleen Michell and husband Rick, who co-ordinates the results.
“I’ve been doing it for 12 years,’’ said Michell. “We turned it into two days 12 years ago.’’
The tournament was an immediate success after the switch.
“We had 112 (players) with a waiting list,’’ said Michell.
It’s been a bit of a struggle to keep the numbers up for a variety of reasons. Most tournaments are experiencing declines.
“I think it’s a little bit of everything and including the economy,’’ said Michell.
Nonetheless, Mount Brenton still offered players plenty of incentive to participate.
“This year, we had a $6,000 prize table,’’ said Michell. “We have an amazing sponsorship from local business.’’
A $300 donation was made from the tournament proceeds to the Haven House in Nanaimo, a women’s safety shelter.
Michell went straight to Vernon after the tournament for the Canadian senior women’s championship. She did extremely well, making the cut after the second round and then shooting a 79 on the third day to move up to 44th overall in the final standings.
