Penticton Golf and Country Club crowned a new champion and did it with a nail-biting finish.
Coming into the 18th hole, Penticton’s Cory Hilditch held a one-shot lead over Penticton’s Ayrton Mantha.
“They both eagled the last hole, that was a spectacular finish with everyone watching,” said PGCC CPGA pro Guy Dow.
With 50 people watching from the course and another 50 on the balcony, Dow said it made for one of the most exciting finishes in years.
Dow said that Hilditch was steady and in control after round one. The second round was cancelled due to lightning then in the final round Hilditch shot 66. Dow said that Mantha played great in his first tournament as an adult. Rob Tadey, who was the Penticton Open champion the last two years wasn’t able to compete this year.
Taking the overall low net was Kevin Grieve. Russ Torlage had the best low gross in division one, with Mike Gibbons taking the low net, in division two, Michael Café was the low gross winner with Laine Zimmerman taking low net. In division three, Bruce Johnston was the low gross winner with Dick Brodie winning low net and in division four, David Bywater was the low gross winner and Russ Krake low net.
The Penticton Open had 142 players, 90 from out of town.
“It’s great,” said Dow of the numbers. “Awesome support from all the players and people from Alberta and the Lower Mainland.
Both Hilditch and Mantha entered the B.C. Amateur championship. Heading into action on July 26, Hilditch rebounded from a round of 77 to shoot 67 on day two. On day three he shot 79, which has put him in a tie for 17th at seven over par. Also competing were Oliver’s Victor Baptiste and Braden Stanley, who missed the cut and finished 20 and 21-over par respectively. Summerland’s Ryan Eden missed the cut at 27 over par and Mantha missed at 28 over par.