Two golfers from the Comox Valley walked into Port Alberni and swept the low gross championship at the West Coast Amateur golf tourney June 17–18.
Tyler van Anrooy of Comox golfed a two-day total of 70-77-147 to win the low gross title. Lawry Willis, also from the Comox Valley, was three shots behind to win runner-up low gross honours.
Dan Cheetham of Port Alberni won the low net championship with a two-day low net of 126.
Kul Dhillon of Vancouver was runner-up with a low net of 134 over the two days.
This was the 62nd annual West Coast Amateur tourney, Port Alberni head pro Bruce MacDonald said, and it drew 83 golfers—about 60 from outside the Vancouver Island city. Many golfers travelled from Victoria and Vancouver for the event, as well as from other Island cities. Although past champions have returned to play in the tourney, none of this year’s winners/ runners-up were defending champions.
“People from out of town love coming here and playing the West Coast Amateur,” MacDonald said. “They have a good time, the prizes are good, the golf course is great. They’re treated well.”
The event used to draw as many as 152 golfers over a weekend, but MacDonald said many clubs aren’t holding as many tournaments leading up to the West Coast Amateur.
“It was a pretty good weekend. The golf course was in great shape and it kind of won again.”
This weekend the Alberni Golf Club hosts the Ladies West Coast Amateur tournament. Port Alberni boasts of two former repeat winners, Christina Proteau and Jackie Little.