Nursing a sore elbow, Jarrett McNeal’s golf game was sub-standard for about a week. His handicap rose from a zero to two.
A few days rest worked weekend wonders as the 24-year-old rang up a pair of 67s to win the Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club men’s championship for the second time in three years.
McNeal, a pro shop attendant at Spall, earned a range pass for next season and a Scotty Cameron putter he plans to trade in for balls and a cap. He finished a dozen strokes in front of Paul Holtom.
“I just kept it in play and really didn’t make any putts I shouldn’t have,” said McNeal. “The course was playing shorter with 80 guys so I just overpowered the golf course and I guess it worked.”
McNeal, a huge Edmonton Oiler fan who works at Wendy’s in the offseason, carded 5-under on the par-5s Saturday. He had three birdies and eagled No. 8 with a gorgeous 240-yard approach shot with a three-iron, followed by a six-foot putt.
Last year’s champion, Brady Stead, was not in the field of 81. Dave Gray and James Ryan, both at 150, and Brooks Jones, at 152, completed the top-five.
Dave Gerhardt was the overall low net champion with 133, followed by Art Heale, at 135.
Scotty Pisiak took the second flight low gross title at 155, followed by Glen Fester, at 160, Dave Haverty, at 161, and Doug Pepper, at 163.
Third flight low gross went to Wayne Brown with a 167 by retrogression over Dylan Gardner. Doug Jackson was third at 169 and Jim Pepper fourth at 172.
Gerry Obrecht ruled the fourth flight low gross at 172, six shots in front of Louie Siewertsen. Pete Taylor was third with 181, followed by Lawrie Jenner at 183.
Low net first flight prizes were pocketed by Brian Osachoff, at 137. Bill Copeland was runner-up at 140, while Pat Morgan and Randy Strang both produced 141s.
Art Heale fashioned 135 to claim low net in the second flight, followed by Bryan Cook, at 138, and Murray Oakden and Darold Zukowsky, with 140s.
Tom Gordon topped low net in the third flight at 138, while Jeff Parker and Mike Todd had 140s and Trevor Buksa a 141.
Bob Spearman took the fourth flight at 140, one stroke ahead of John Venus. Glen Guest and Gus McNeil each had 147.
Katrina Lenoury defended the ladies’ club championship with a 155 total, nine strokes in front of Emery Bardock. There was a field of 39.
Gwen Siewertsen collected the overall low net prize at 138, one stroke better than Shelly Cooper and Marj Griffin.
Mary Lukacs was second low gross in the first flight with 173, while Patty Metcalf was third at 175.
Ginger Jalonen earned the second flight crown at 183, one shot ahead of Sheryll Bissell. Pam Page was third with 184.
Janie Crockett topped the third flight at 196, while Linda Bridgeman was second at 202 and Kathryn Patton third at 207.
Marsha Allen was second low net in the first flight at 142 with Tara Brown next with 146.
Bonnie Taylor, at 144, and Nancy Helm, at 151, completed the top-three low net in the second flight.
Colleen Schier took the third flight at 146 with Alice Rowland at 147 and Jill Gerhardt at 151.
