Morning Star/B.C. Golf
Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Doug Roxburgh opened up his B.C. Senior Men’s title chase in style, posting a five-under 67 Monday to take a four stroke lead at the par-72, 6,393-yard Eaglepoint Golf Resort in Kamloops.
The Vancouver resident and Marine Drive Golf Club member Roxburgh came into the round following a Kelowna Ogopogo Invitational senior men’s division title with ball striking that he described in a joking manner before Tuesday’s round as ‘sketchy’.
After opening with two birdies and one bogey on his outward half, Roxburgh proved why he has claimed a record 13 B.C. Amateur championships in his masterful amateur career by closing with two birdies and a par-5 finishing eagle for an inward 32, five-under 67 total.
“I chipped and putted really well today. I chipped in once, made a 30-footer and then made a long one on 18 to finish,” smiled Roxburgh.
Roxburgh was four strokes ahead of Kelowna’s Wayne Schaeffer and Abbotsford’s Brian Bates, who both fired 71’s during gusty and hot conditions on the rolling desert terrain golf course. In fourth by himself was Brian De Biasio of Qualicum Beach at even-par 72.
Pre-tournament favourites Norm Bradley, of Kelowna and four-time champion Gudmund Lindbjerg of Port Moody both sat within striking distance of Roxburgh after round one. Bradley opened with a 73 compared to Lindbjerg’s 74. Defending champion Sandy Harper of Nanaimo opened with a three-over-par 75.
Leading the Super Senior division is last year’s champion Ray Henry of Victoria. Henry, a member of Bear Mountain Golf Club, made a strong case for his division defence, opening with a steady two-over-par 74.
Lance Lundy, a former Hillview pro now out of Pemberton, was in a eight-way share of sixth place in the seniors at 74.
Dan Bosquet of Vernon, a former Predator Ridge pro, carded a 75 (40-35) for a similar share of 14th place.
Rick Folk of Kelowna and Mike Sheldon of Predator each produced 79, while Mark Longworth of Vernon fashioned an 80 and clubmate Greg Betts fired an 81. There is a field of 122 with the top-three representing B.C. at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, Aug. 27-30, at the Briars Golf Club in Sutton West, Ont.
