Prince Rupert’s own Edd Boudreau took home bragging rights and a hefty sum of cash after finishing third in the PGA Championship of Canada held in Calgary earlier this month.
The PGA Championship started on Tuesday, June 18 and finished up on Friday, June 22, with Boudreau starting his run in the Stan Leonard Division, playing his first game against Darrell Stubbs. After winning his first round, Boudreau went on to play Ontarian golfer Brian McCann.
Entering into the tournament, Boudreau was ranked No. 32 out of 64-players, and knocked off McCann, who was ranked No. 1., during the second round of the Stan Leonard Division.
Boudreau played his next match of the division against John McCann, who birdied seven holes in a row, leaving Boudreau 4 under par after eight holes and three down to McCann.
“I ended up birdying three on the back nine, and shot 7 under par that day to win on the 18th hole,” said Boudreau, crediting his caddie as a huge help in his PGA run.
In the final round of the division, Boudreau went on to play Conor O’Shea, shutting him out on the 17th hole, bringing him to the Final Four, along with Eric Laporte from Montcalm Club de Golf, Brad Clapp from the Chilliwack Golf and Country Club, and Lindsay Bernakevitch from the Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club, who Boudreau competed against in his semifinal match.
“He made a couple long bombs on me, and I didn’t putt very well… He made a 25-foot bogey putt that took a lot of wind out of my sails,” explained Boudreau.
After being beaten by Bernakevitch, Boudreau went on to play the consolation match against Clapp.
In this game, Boudreau was two holes down and then behind by three before things turned. Boudreau took the 10th and 11th holes and after that it was a seesaw battle between the two. Boudreau made a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to force extra holes and during the second extra hole he putted a 35-foot downhill putt for the win.
“I felt like I was going to make it, and sure enough I slam dunked it right into the hole and made that for a birdie,” he said.
Boudreau won $8,000 for placing so well in the competition, the largest amount he’s ever made from golfing.
“When you have three kids, you know what you’re going to be spending it on,” joked Boudreau.
Boudreau was born and raised in Prince Rupert, and graduated from Prince Rupert Secondary School in 1983. Boudreau lived in town, working as a commercial fisherman until he moved down south.
Boudreau did not become serious about golf until after he moved away from Prince Rupert, although he did spend some time at the Prince Rupert Centennial Golf Course practicing.
“When I needed help, Moe Hayes was there to give me advice and push me in the right direction,” said Boudreau, who turned pro when he was 35.
“I would love to get back up there and play in the jubilee,” said Boudreau, adding, “I wouldn’t trade where I grew up.”
Since leaving Rupert, Boudreau went on to graduate from the Camosun College Professional Golf Management Program, and is a Class A CPGA Professional. Boudreau now plays at the Gorge Vale Golf Course in Victoria, and is an academy instructor there.
In terms of competitions, Boudreau will be competing in the PGA of BC Championship in Crown Isle in July, a tournament he won in 2006 and will be playing the Canadian Assistants Championship in September, a tournament he won back in 2003.
