The Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club team won the 2013 Jack McLaughlin Memorial PGA of B.C. Pro-Junior Presented By Ping Golf at the Summerland Golf & Country Club Monday.
The team, which included head pro Alan Palmer and juniors Alex Francois, Diego San Pedro and Josh Zhang, shot an adjusted score of 125 to beat Jeff Hollman’s Penticton team by two strokes, and Vernon’s team, captained by Bradlee Jones, by three strokes.
The Shaughnessy juniors each pocketed Ping G25 drivers, while the Penticton juniors, Haley Hewer, Jake Black and Jackson Coates, took home Ping G25 fairway woods and the Vernon juniors, Dexter Weiten, Brandon Chai and Mac Gourdine, collected Ping G25 hybrids.
Shaughnessy was led by 15-year-old Burnaby student Francois, who shot a sterling 63 on the strength of 11 birdies and only two bogeys.
“This was my best round ever,” said the Moscrop High School student. “I made a lot of putts and my team really helped out on the holes I didn’t make birdie.”
Added Palmer: “Josh made four or five birdies and Diego chipped in with an eagle. They all did a great job and it is awesome to win this award.”
Palmer said the win has a lot of significance because of Jack McLaughlin’s ties to Shaughnessy.
“I recently had lunch with Jack’s son Jim and I told him how important it was for me to personally bring a team to the pro-junior named in his honour.
“Jack’s influence on me and on junior golf is something I really value, and to win this makes it even more special. We’ll be hosting the dinner to induct Jack later this year and it’s just a special thing to be able to win this.”
The tournament included 23 teams consisting of one head, executive, head teaching pro or apprentice pro and three junior members who are members of the club where the pro is employed.
Hometown favourite, Summerland Golf & Country Club’s Greg Machtaler, who won the PGA of B.C. Assistant Professionals title in June and the Pro-Assistant earlier this month with head pro Tyrel Babkirk didn’t win with his team, but he did make the most memorable shot of the day.
Machtaler holed out for double eagle on the 18th from 237 yards out with a hybrid.
