For Immediate Release

July 22, 2016

NEWS RELEASE

Evan Holmes delivers clutch performance to claim victory at the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship

Matt Williams and Scott Secord make Willingdon Cup Team

INNISFAIL, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – It was a pressure-packed final round of the 2016 Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship. Third round leader, Evan Holmes, battled with Matt Williams all around the golf course on a sun-soaked day at Innisfail Golf Club. Williams, who lead after rounds one and two, put pressure on Holmes by making four birdies on the front nine, making the turn with a score of 32. Holmes finished strong, making birdies on four of the last six holes. That clutch performance on the back nine sealed the deal for Holmes as he eventually won by a margin of three strokes.

It was a popular victory for the Earl Grey Golf Club member, as evidenced by the cheers from fellow competitors and the gallery alike. Holmes commented that, “it’s a big monkey off my back. I’ve been so close for the last few years. I really felt like I was playing well coming into this one so I’m glad that I actually showed it and got it done. It feels really good.” When asked about the strong start from Williams, Holmes said, “I kind of had images of a few years ago. He (Williams) was going low and I had a bad double on ten. But then we both made a lot of birdies coming in. It was a really fun match all day long.”

TOP 10 – AMATEUR LEADER BOARD

For the full leader board, click here.

There was a playoff for the Team Alberta Interprovincial Squad at the 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship on August 8-11 at the Royal Ottawa G&CC & Eagle Creek GC. Geoff Fry (Glencoe G&CC), Andrew Harrison (Edmonton Petroleum G&CC), and Scott Secord (Country Hills GC) finished in a tie for third at seven under par. The trio headed back to hole #18 to playoff for the last position. Scott Secord hit a beautiful second shot on the par five, nearly holing it for an albatross. He tapped in for eagle and claimed the last position on the team. Evan Holmes earned a spot on the 2017 Pacific Coast Amateur Team to be played at Chambers Bay in University Place, WA on July 25-28, 2017.

The 2016 Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship was played at the Innisfail Golf Club. The event was 72 holes of stroke play competition conducted on the 6,605 yard, par 72 Aspen & Spruce courses. The Men’s Amateur was last hosted at Innisfail in 2002. A special thank you to Darren Black (General Manager), Jim Boomer (Head Professional), Dwayne Simpson (Superintendent), Tim Pols (Food & Beverage Manager) and the entire staff for their efforts towards a successful championship. Thank you to the entire membership and over 70 volunteers who helped make this a memorable event. For more information on the Innisfail Golf Club, please visit their website here. 

For photographs from the championship, click here. Follow the action on Twitter using the official hashtag #ABMensAm.  

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