2007 Golden Ears Men’s Invitational

The
Vancouver Golf Tour could not have asked for two days of better
weather at this year’s Golden Ears Men’s Invitational
contested at the Pitt Meadows Golf Club. This year’s event was
particularly special in that the Golden Ears became a regular
event on the 2007 Vancouver Golf Tour schedule. With the rough
up to 3 inches on average and the greens playing firmer than
average on day one, it was no surprise that only a few golfers
in the field surged well below par. At the end of Day one there
were three Professionals (Phil Jonas of McCleery and Hazelmere,
Kendal Yonemoto of Quilchena, Canadian Tour Pro John Shin) and
one local amateur (Goodman Lindbjerg) leading the charge with
the score of 68, which was three strokes clear of the pack. The
2007 event was the first year to initiate Juniors into its field
and the low junior score of 75 was shot by Stefano Sidonio of
Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club.
Day
two proved to be an equally exciting day for all spectators, as
the majority were rooting for Lindbjerg, one of the most proven
amateur members from Pitt Meadows Golf Club. An very quick start
to the day from Yonemoto got him to -8 for the tournament after
just five holes and a three shot lead on the final group.
However after a couple of bogeys on the ensuing holes, it looked
like Yonemoto’s momentum was slipping. Just when it looked like
the pursuers were going to catch the leader, the ‘VGT Turning
Point’ proved to be Yonemoto’s good fortune on hole #9 as his
half shanked 9 iron took a friendly bounce off the out of bounds
hedge and back into play.
With Yonemoto’s bogey on 9, it was
a close battle between all as Amateur Lindbjerg was tied at 5
under with Yonemoto for the lead, only one stroke ahead of Jonas
and Shin.
Meanwhile,
six groups ahead of leaders an early surge was being posed by
Professional Kyle German of Point Roberts Golf Club, firing off
a very impressive front nine score of -5 (31) and then birdying
#11 to make it 6 under for the day, only one stroke off the
leaders. Two near misses from 10 feet on holes #13 & 14 seemed
to burst German’s momentum and two bogeys from the side of the
green on #15 & 17 left German with a very good score of 68 for
the day, but four shots out of the winner’s circle!
It seemed like the fortune Yonemoto
was given on #9 lifted his spirits on the back nine which had
seemed to be dropping on the last few holes on the front coming
in.
The
tournament concluded in a dramatic fashion as Yonemoto
maintained a two stroke lead over both Jonas and Lindbjerg
heading into the 18th hole. With Lindberg chipping into a foot
for birdie and Jonas leaving himself a twenty foot putt for
eagle, Yonemoto’s third shot from the fringe of the green proved
critical. With all eyes on him, Yonemoto made a decisive chip to
two feet, leaving himself a birdie opportunity for the
Championship and $2200. Jonas’ eagle putt from the fringe went
diving into the cup and now Yonemoto’s two-footer meant
something. Without hesitation, Yonemoto calmly poured his put
into the hole to cap off a great tournament and capture the
Trophy for Golden Ear’s Invitational ‘Open Champion’.
To recap the tournament, Yonemoto
shot 68,70, Jonas shot 68, 71, Lindbjerg shot 68,72, for two day
totals of 138, 139, and 140 respectively. Phil Jonas’ second
place finish for $1,500 this weekend solidifies his position as
leader of VGT’s Order of Merit with $8,130.00. Trailing Jonas is
Redwoods Professional Andrew Smeeth with his total of $5,620.00.
Yonemoto moved well up the standings from 17th into 7th place
and a total of $3,123.00 with his $2,200 earnings.

This year’s Low individual Junior
went to Henry Griffin of Seymour Creek Golf Center, shooting a
two day total of 76,77 (153).
At this time, VGT would like to
thank the following ‘players’ which without their support the
2007 Golden Ear’s Invitational would not have been such a huge
success:
Major Sponsors for 2007
• Mail-O-Matic
• Reliable Parts
• Eastgate Autobody
• Mardon & Garrison Insurance Brokers Ltd.
• Andrews, Brown, Maroney Chartered Accountants
• All the many hole sponsors for 2007!!!
Neil Roberts – CPGA Head
Professional & his staff. Your efforts are always noticed
year-in-year out.
Frank Hoadley – Tournament Chairman and all your helpers.
Great job again Frank! Talk about organized!
Food and Beverage – Great meals and service every year!
All Volunteers – Thanks to all scorers, ball spotters, starters!
Dave Zeiler – Head Superintendent and his staff. Thanks
for getting the golf course in wonderful shape this year,
especially the weather you had to battle this year!!
The Vancouver Golf Tour was very
proud to have the Golden Ears Invitational on their 2007
schedule this year and will compile the money won by our VGT
Professionals as well as the points earned by our amateurs to
help determine our most consistent professional and amateur
players on the tour this year.
Final
Standings - Pros and Amateurs
|
Position |
Competitor |
H'cap |
Gross Score |
|
1 |
YONOMOTO Kendall |
Pro |
138 |
|
2 |
JONAS Philip |
Pro |
139 |
|
3 |
LINDBJERG Gudmund |
1 |
140 |
|
4 |
HARPER James |
Pro |
141 |
|
T5 |
GERMAN Kyle |
Pro |
142 |
|
T5 |
BUTT Geoff |
0 |
142 |
|
T5 |
SHIN John |
Pro |
142 |
|
T8 |
THOMSON Dan |
3 |
143 |
|
T8 |
DANIEL Matt |
Pro |
143 |
|
T10 |
PALSENBARG Matt |
Pro |
144 |
|
T10 |
CHOY Adam |
-1 |
144 |
|
T10 |
DOUET Dan |
2 |
144 |
|
T13 |
MORGAN Doug |
Pro |
145 |
|
T13 |
LONGRIDGE Mike |
Pro |
145 |
|
T15 |
DRONOV Sergej |
Pro |
146 |
|
T15 |
SMEETH Andrew |
Pro |
146 |
|
T15 |
MacPHERSON Clark |
-2 |
146 |
|
T18 |
STRONG Mark |
Pro |
147 |
|
T18 |
BROOKS Ryan |
0 |
147 |
|
T18 |
DILLAN Brendan |
0 |
147 |
|
T18 |
BARR Craig |
Pro |
147 |
|
T18 |
HARAGUCHI Mike |
Pro |
147 |
|
T23 |
SWANSON Dan |
Pro |
148 |
|
T23 |
HARRIS Paul |
1 |
148 |
|
T23 |
BAXTER Jamie |
Pro |
148 |
|
T26 |
VIANZON Victor |
Pro |
149 |
|
T26 |
WILLIAMS Ryan |
Pro |
149 |
|
T26 |
LANTELA Ollie |
1 |
149 |
|
T26 |
DRUMMOND Billy |
4 |
149 |
|
T30 |
BOOTH Muncie |
Pro |
150 |
|
T30 |
BALLOCH Jay |
Pro |
150 |
|
T32 |
STEINMANN Rodger |
Pro |
151 |
|
T32 |
FORREST Mark |
Pro |
151 |
|
T34 |
HUMPHREYS Scott |
2 |
152 |
|
T34 |
ROXBURGH James |
1 |
152 |
|
T34 |
GALLACHER John |
1 |
152 |
|
T34 |
DUFFY Terry |
3 |
152 |
|
T38 |
GRIFFIN Henry |
3 |
153 |
|
T38 |
HAW Brad |
1 |
153 |
|
T38 |
WILLIAMSON David |
-3 |
153 |
|
T38 |
AASEN John |
Pro |
153 |
|
T42 |
COMMONS Steve |
4 |
154 |
|
T42 |
ORR James |
4 |
154 |
|
T42 |
MULHOLLAND Fraser |
Pro |
154 |
|
T42 |
SWEET Tyler |
Pro |
154 |
|
T42 |
HOLTZ Andrew |
1 |
154 |
|
T47 |
SAVAGE Steve |
2 |
155 |
|
T47 |
ABBENBROEK Roy |
Pro |
155 |
|
T47 |
BISMEYER Greg |
0 |
155 |
|
T47 |
STINSON Kevin |
0 |
155 |
|
T47 |
SKORAH Mark |
2 |
155 |
|
T47 |
ANDERSON Bill |
5 |
155 |
|
T53 |
SHOWMAN David |
3 |
156 |
|
T53 |
HALLBORG Jeff |
Pro |
156 |
|
T53 |
RUSSELL Brad |
Pro |
156 |
|
T53 |
SHEPHERD Scott |
Pro |
156 |
|
T53 |
KOBLER Chris |
7 |
156 |
|
T53 |
FRIZZEL Jay |
7 |
156 |
|
T59 |
AKIZUKI Shingo |
Pro |
157 |
|
T59 |
SELMAN Mitch |
4 |
157 |
|
T61 |
DOKA Wes |
Pro |
158 |
|
T61 |
WATT Jesse |
1 |
| |