A ‘Home-Grown Dual’ at the 2007 Ledgeview Open

Battling three consecutive days of extreme heat made golfing a true test of champions for 144 players at this year’s Ledgeview Open, including 30 of BC’s best Professionals.

At the end of Day 1, Professional Andrew Smeeth led the field with a score of 65, followed by Professional Oliver Tubb with 66. By the end of Day 2, Smeeth found himself tied for first with Professional Phil Jonas, who shot 65 for the day. Tubb, who shot a solid 69 on Day 2, found himself one stoke behinds the leaders at 5-under par. The three Professionals now, however, found themselves challenged by young Ledgeview Golf Club Amateur and past Canadian Junior Champion, Nick Taylor who quickly surged into fourth position and 2 strokes behind. On Day 3, Smeeth, Jonas, Tubb and Taylor ventured into a dramatic final round of the Ledgeview Open, with the lead changing hands almost every hole. At the end of the front nine, Jonas, Tubb and Taylor found themselves tied at 8-under par. In a surprising and dramatic conclusion, it was the young Amateur who courageously held off the three Professionals – that is until the final two holes. With two to play and two shots behind, Smeeth fired off back-to-back birdies on the 17th and 18th hole, and good enough for a tie for the championship with young Nick Taylor and new Co-Champions were crowned in both the Professional and Amateur category.

It should be noted that the 2007 Ledgeview Open’s Co-Champions Andrew Smeeth and Nick Taylor are both protégés of Ledgeview Golf Club’s Junior Program. According to VGT Commissioner Fraser Mulholland, “What transpired this weekend is a fitting example of what the Vancouver Golf Tour is trying to accomplish for the young golfers of the Lower Mainland.” Smeeth’s $2,000.00 first place cheque vaulted him to the top of the VGT Order of Merit by a mere $100 over Hazelmere and McCleery Pro Phil Jonas. Both Smeeth and Jonas vaulted ahead of current OOM leader Jeff Halborg with their winnings. Tubb’s third place finish moved him into 7th place from 17th and Dan Swanson moved one place back to 4th with his 7th place finish.

Professional Andrew Smeeth

Amateur and past Canadian Junior Champion Nick Taylor

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