Jesse Crowe of Vernon was in contention to win the $15,000 Cleveland Golf/Srixon Canada PGA of BC Club Professional Championship presented by Oakcreek Golf & Turf Tuesday at Victoria Golf Club.
However, some wild and wacky stuff took the first-round leader out of the running and he finished with a 78 for a seven-way share of ninth place, earning $395. Crowe, the 37-year-old head pro at the Salmon Arm Golf & Country Club, carded a 70 Monday.
Phil Jonas won the tournament with a 4-under 66 on the esteemed Oak Bay course to finish with a 36-hole total of 3-under 137, beating Matthew Palsenbarg (Northview Golf Academy) by two strokes to claim the Dick Munn Memorial Trophy.
“I had two bad holes,” laughed Crowe, a Kalamalka Lakers grad. “I had a six-putt quad on four; the ball came off the green. Putting is usually the strength of my game. On No. 9, I hit one into the bunker and we looked everywhere but couldn’t find it. I’ve never lost a ball in the bunker.”
Crowe, who had been battling wrist and back injuries, hadn’t played a full round of golf in several weeks before Monday’s practice round. He last hit a ball at the PGA of BC Championship at Capilano Golf & Country Club in late August. The layoff didn’t seem to hurt him at all, as Crowe made five birdies in the first round while playing both nines at even par.
Crowe played the Victoria course multiple times during his college days with the Camosun Chargers.
The 55-year-old Jonas was making his first appearance in the annual event, which is open to all head, executive and head teaching professionals of the PGA of BC. He pocketed $2,700.
“I really wanted to win this tournament, given it being my first attempt,” said Jonas. “And as I’m getting older, I have to win whenever I can. It’s very satisfying.”
Playing in the final group and starting the day one stroke off the first-round pace set by Crowe, Jonas got off to a quick start by making a chip-in eagle on the par-5 first hole. That gave him an early lead that he would never relinquish.
“I played well the first few holes, then kind of got a bit scrappy for a few holes, then played well again,” said Jonas. “And I was pretty solid down the stretch, although I was pretty nervous. It doesn’t seem to get any easier (to win).”
Needing a two-putt par 18th hole to secure the victory, Jonas rolled in a 20-footer for one of his four birdies on the day.
Jeremy Johnson of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort finished third at 74-68-142 for $1,500.
Rob Anderson of Kelowna Golf & Country Club shot 72-74-246 for a share of sixth spot and $850.
Chad Scott of The Rise earned $225 for rounds of 75-75-150.
