“Mentally challenging” is how this year’s Vancouver Open winner, Brad Clapp of Chilliwack, labelled the course at Ledgeview.
Clapp took top honours and the $7,500 winner’s cheque after finishing 11-under through three rounds of tournament play, which was split between Pagoda Ridge Course in Langley for the opening round, and Abbotsford’s Ledgeview Golf & Country Club, for the last two days of competition.
Clapp, who was familiar with both courses, said Ledgeview was the more taxing, with tougher, less-open greens than Pagoda, and with tighter fairways where the trees are more encroaching, making driving the ball difficult on some holes.
Despite those challenges, the Vancouver Open champion shot a 66 in both the second and final rounds played at Ledgeview, which is a par-70 course. For the opening round at Pagoda, a course with a par of 72, Clapp tallied a 69.
“I shot three consistent rounds,” he said. “But I didn’t feel like I played my best golf.”
Clapp competes on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada circuit. He played in the ATB Financial Classic at Cochrane, Alta., which wrapped up Aug. 2, and then drove back for the Open’s start on Aug. 6.
“I didn’t have a practice round … [and] I was not hitting great during the week.”
The 28-year-old said his past experience with the courses helped considerably, adding the competition was good.
On his tail were Surrey’s Ryan Williams and Richmond’s Riley Wheeldon. Both tied for second at 9-under.
The Vancouver Open is a Vancouver Golf Tour (VGT) event. The VGT runs from May to October. For full tournament results go to vancouveropen.ca.
