Sekulic keeps it rolling on day two of the Men’s Am
Team Canada Development Squad member opens up a four shot lead
Through the haze emerged first round leader Max Sekulic striding up the fairway on the last hole in his recognizable red Team Canada shirt. The 18-year-old lefty is demonstrating poise beyond his years after backing up an opening 68 with an impressive five-under-par 67 in the second round. He has opened a four-shot lead over a trio tied at five-under-par on cut day at the 2017 Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship.
Sekulic got off to another hot start by birdieing his first hole of the day and never looked back. Notably, he made two eagles on the round – holing out in two strokes on the par four 14th hole (his fifth of the day after starting on #10), and getting down in three strokes on the par five 1st hole. Sekulic had an impressive day with the wedges, saying that “on #14 I hit my drive to about 55 or 60 yards out and my shot into the green landed just short and one-hopped in. On #1 I hit my second shot up by the green and pitched it in from about 25 yards.”
Sekulic knows he has to keep playing well with a talented and proven group only four shots off of his lead after 36 holes. He said “I’m going to focus on executing. I can’t control what they do. I can only control how well I play.” Andrew Harrison (2015 Alberta Junior champion) and Brett Hogan (2015 Alberta Amateur champion and 2016 Alberta Open champion) have shot matching 70’s and 69’s to sit at five-under-par for the championship. They are joined by Carter Graf who matched Sekulic’s 67 on day two. The Team Alberta U19 member from the Red Deer G&CC is having an impressive showing through two rounds.
Jack Wesche of the Country Hills GC made a spectacular ace on the par three, fifth hole. He chose a four iron from 226 yards that landed ten feet in front of the hole, checked up and broke right into the hole. It’s not Wesche’s first ace but definitely a memorable one as he didn’t realize it had gone in until Head Professional Rob Macpherson and a gaggle of spectators waved him down.
A total of sixty-one players made the cut after today’s second round and will compete over the next two days for quota positions into the national championship. The top three finishers at the conclusion of the championship will form the Team Alberta Interprovincial Squad for the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship to be conducted at The Toronto Golf Club & Islington Golf Club in Mississauga, ON August 7-10th. The champion will earn the final spot on the 2018 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship Alberta Morse Cup Team.
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ABOUT ALBERTA GOLF
The Alberta Golf Association was incorporated as a society in 1912 and continues today as a not for profit Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) operating as Alberta Golf. As the PSO, we are commited to realizing the positive impacts of golf on individuals and communities across Alberta. Our vision is that through golf, Albertans will enjoy a high quality of life, improved health and wellness, a strong sense of community, economic benefits and personal fulfillment.
Alberta Golf hosts 13 annual provincial championships in order to identify the best golfers in various age and gender catergories. A mix of nearly 1,500 pro and amateur golfers compete on high quality member facility courses across the province. Championships are hosted by a core team of staff and over 100 volunteers. The tournaments promote competition, build pride in the community, support charitable giving and inspire future generations of golfers. They also serve as an opportunity for golfers to qualify for national amateur championships.
ABOUT SUN LIFE FINANCIAL
Sun Life Financial has served Canadians for 150 years. With an array of products and services, Sun Life is able to offer trusted solutions for customer’s needs. Beyond business, Sun Life is committed to operating in a socially responsible way and acting as a good corporate citizen. Sun Life Financial has been a dedicated sponsor of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship for 27 years.
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Anthony Stirling
Tournament Director
Alberta Golf
(p) 403-999-2615
