Victoria's Bryan Toth staved off a hard-charging field to win by three strokes and capture the 2008 B.C. Men's Mid-Amateur Championships at the Sunshine Coast Golf and Country Club (SCG&CC) on Wednesday.
Toth carded a final round 74, to finish at -1 (215). Defending master 40 champion Sandy Harper of Nanaimo finished second at +2 (218), followed by Harry Ferguson, who finished in a two-way tie with local favourite Mike Mannion, who each fired a +6 (222) total. Ferguson fired the low round of the day Wednesday with a 69, while Mannion finished with a 73.
The tournament featured two divisions: the mid-amateur division for players 25 to 39 and the master 40 division for players aged 40 and above. The top two mid-am and top two master 40 players will make up Team B.C. for the Canadian Championships set for Pheasant Glen Golf Resort in Qualicum Beach, Aug. 18 to 22. Team B.C. will be comprised of Toth, Harper, Mannion and Ferguson.
Toth said he was very happy with the victory against a tough field.
"It's always nice to win, but it's especially nice to play and beat such a class player like Sandy," Toth said, who also won this tournament in 2005. "It was a grind today. Sandy kept it close and I had to make a couple of tough shots to stay ahead. I was here last year for the Club Champions Championship. It's a great course and the Sunshine Coast treats us very well. I feel blessed to have won this tournament."
Mannion was obviously thrilled to make Team B.C. but had an admitted glass half-full, half-empty feeling when it came to his overall play.
"Was I happy with my play? Yes and no. I didn't putt as well as I needed to, but these greens sometimes do that to you," Mannion said. "After such a soggy start on Monday, the course held up very well for the conditions."
SCG&CC head pro Jim Pringle said to have only one player break par shows how tough the course is.
"The golf course played super tough and the greens were as fast as ever," Pringle said. "Despite the weather, Tim Kelly and his grounds crew did a phenomenal job. Sandy was within two shots after nine, but he just couldn't close the gap. Bryan is one of the top amateurs in the province, so it's a good win for him. And to have Mike on Team B.C. is a great accomplishment for him and nice for our home club."
A total of eight players from the SCG&CC played in the tournament. Bill Sneddon finished in a tie for 14th, Brent Lineker was tied for 30th, Jim Budd was tied for 48th, Russell Buchanan was 63rd and Jamie Stallwood finished tied for 64th. Stephen Cobb and Jeff James missed the cut following the first two rounds of play.
