Chown grabs men’s club title

It only made sense that the brightest smile on the Kitchen Creek Golf Course on Sunday afternoon belonged to a dentist.
Dr. Steve Chown parlayed a mid-round birdie run and a par on #18 into his first victory in the Kitchen Creek club championships after former champ Greg Ward just missed his par putt on the final hole that would have forced a playoff.
“Wardy’s been a great champion many times before,” said Chown, who shot one-over 145 for the two-day tournament with rounds of 71 on Saturday and 74 on Sunday.
“I kind of felt I had the advantage [after Ward’s ball reached the bunker],” he added. “Mind you, that putt he missed is one you expect to go in. It just didn’t drop for him. But a player of his calibre, more often than not, that’s going to go in.
“[Ward] wasn’t on top of his game today, but he still made some great saves out there to stay in it,” Chown noted. “This is a good club, with great members to play with.”
Ward, who was a shot back entering play Sunday, entered the fray as the round progressed to challenge Chown for the lead as “Snake” Krawchuk and Gerry Hercun dropped back.
Both parred #17, then hit solid drives on #18. But Ward’s second shot couldn’t escape the greenside bunker while Chown dropped a lofting shot just on the fringe to the left of the hole.
The eventual champ nearly plunked the ball in for birdie, but had to settle for a tap-in for par. Ward put himself in position for the tie with his sand save, but slipped a 10-footer just past the right edge of the cup.
Chown had been tied with defending champ Krawchuk and Hercun after Saturday, but stumbled out of the gate Sunday and thought he had lost his chance.
“I really wasn’t playing that good and there wasn’t much happening for me,” he noted. “It looked like it would come down to Gerry and Wardy.
“But then I strung together birdies on Nos. 12, 13, and 14, and ended up playing the last six holes in three-under,” he added. “I had some tight wedge shots and some good close-in shots.”
Ward finished with the first low gross title with 72-74—146 while Hercun ended up third with 71-77—148.
In the men’s championship flight low net group, Rob Crowe led the way with a score of 143, with Krawchuk beating Brian Beers on a countback to finish second (150).
The men’s first flight was the domain of Sean Taggart, who shot 79-73—152 to cruise to a seven-stroke win over Bob Crowe. The low net title went to Tom Abma (144), followed by Ian McLennan (145) and Mel Larson (146).
Dave Lloyd edged out Colin Drombolis on a countback to win the men’s second flight after each golfer had carded rounds of 81-84—165 for the tournament.
Keith Ellwood was that flight’s low net champion with a 141, two better than Dave Zatulsky and 11 up on Al McDonald.
Another countback went in favour of Bill Melita, who triumphed in the men’s third flight over Jon Dupuis after both had recorded scores of 174.
Shane Bliss won that flight’s low net title with a 143, ahead of Wade Bagacki (148) and Bill Douglas (150).
Mark Mercure fired identical rounds of 85 to record a 170 for a three-shot win in the men’s fourth flight over Joel McCoy, who led the way after Saturday with an 81 but then ballooned to a 93 on Sunday.
Frank McComb grabbed that flight’s low net crown with a 142, with Chuck McPherson finishing second (156).
< *c>Thomson tops again
Meanwhile, Chrissy Thomson turned the ladies’ division into her personal practice session over the weekend—polishing her game while demolishing the rest of the field.
With the Canadian amateur championship coming up next week in Montreal, Thomson tuned up for her appearance there as a member of Team Manitoba by shooting rounds of 76 and 74 for a two-day total of 130—winning by an incredible 24 shots.
Donna Lee, who was second in the low gross division, had a combined score of 136 to secure low net honours, followed by Megan Ross (143), Penny McComb (152), and Rita Woodland (153).
In the seniors’ division, Jim Ballard rode a four-shot lead after Saturday to claim top honours in the championship flight, shooting 74-81—155 to beat Dan Livingston by six strokes.
Glen Edwards posted a 143 to win the flight’s low net division, with Don Zeleny second (146) and Jack Kendall third (152).
Ken Bekesi registered rounds of 87 and 84 for a two-day mark of 171 to capture the senior men’s first flight—four better than Orest Mihichuk.
Don Hammond was that flight’s best low net shooter, recording a 135, while Bob Armit was second (139).
Steve Pruys topped the junior division, shooting 71-80—151 to earn the low gross title by five strokes over Tanner Ward.
But Ward did get some redemption by winning the low net title for the 14-18 age group with a 138 while Scott Basaraba was second (156).
In the 13-and-under category, Jordan Sinclair earned low net with a score of 126, beating Alex McDonald (151).
Kitchen Creek will be buzzing with tournament action again this weekend. The “Community Chest” fundraiser is slated Friday, the Kitchen Creek Ladies’ Open goes Saturday, and the Las Vegas Scramble is scheduled for Sunday.
The annual Kitchen Creek Classic follows Aug. 16-17.