Cameron Penney
Alex McDonald had a six-stroke lead after the first round of the Kitchen Creek Classic, and never looked back while cruising to a fifth title in the last six years.
The Fort Frances native, who now lives in Winnipeg, missed his second-day goal by one stroke, but finished 70-73-143, well ahead of second place Dan Baletki (76-72-148), while Max Vaclav finished third (76-74-150), and Jordan Davis took fourth (79-71-150).
“Basically, my game plan has been the same as always,” explained McDonald.
“Just par your way around the course and bury the par fives,” he continued.
“Should walk away with the win and that’s basically what I did for the past two days,” added McDonald.
McDonald said he had a friendly rivalry with “Snake” Krawchuk throughout the tournament.
“Snake birdied the first hole [of the opening round]; he was making fun of me cause he’s in the lead,” recalled McDonald.
“Then I birdied hole two, so we were jawing back at each other,” he added.
McDonald also recalled a key shot on the fifth hole where he drained a putt that he estimates was between 30 to 40 feet from the hole.
“I know Snake thought I was going to make a bogey on it, then I drain it for par and just look at him, and he starts laughing,” he said.
McDonald noted that generating his large leads brings a sense of calm rather than nerves.
“I know if I shoot 76, which I know is not going to happen, someone is going to have to go out there and shoot 70,” McDonald explained.
“I told myself shoot 72 and walk away with it,” he recalled.
McDonald attributed his dominance on the course to his desire to just enjoying the round.
“I’ve been playing the course since I was 10 years old, I enjoy coming back here,” he enthused.
“To be honest, I don’t care if I win, and I think that’s why there’s not much pressure either,” reasoned McDonald.
“I come out here to see my friends and play a couple games of golf. If I walk away with it, I walk away with it,” he said.
The winner of the first flight was Jon Lundon (80-71-151), while Greg Ward finished second (82-73-155), Colin Drombolis took third (80-75-155), and Gerry Hercun finished fourth (81-80-161).
In the second flight, Dwayne Sinclair took the title (85-74-159), followed by Tom Bennett (86-76-162), Brian Beers (84-80-164), and Sam Harnett (84-82-166).
Glenn Jorgenson (90-83-173), was the winner of the third flight, followed by Rich Baker (94-83-177), Art Carpenter (92-86-178), and Alton Pollard (95-85-180).
