Gordy Scutt charged hard in the closing holes to catch the leader then won a one-hole playoff with a birdie in the dying light to take the PGA of B.C. championship at Vancouver’s Point Grey Golf Club.
Scutt, an instructor at the Golf B.C. Academy at Olympic View Golf Club, shot a final-round 3-under 69 last week to to pull into a tie with Lindsay Bernakevitch of Victoria Golf Club at 4-under.
As darkness began to fall, the pair teed off at the par-5 18th hole. Both big hitters reached the green in two and missed their eagle attempts, but Scutt sunk his comeback putt to put pressure on his opponent. Bernakevitch was unable to sink his putt, giving the former Canadian Tour regular the title.
“My putter saved me early,” Scutt said afterward. “But I hit the ball well all day. It was a solid round of golf for me.”
He opened with a 71, good for a tie for third place heading into the final round Aug. 26.
Olympic View head pro Kevin Maxwell set a sizzling pace on day 1, shooting 68 to build a two-stroke lead over two-time champion Bryn Parry of Seymour Creek Golf Centre. Maxwell couldn’t keep up the pace and finished with a 75 in a tie for fifth at 143.
Parry, who led for most of the second round, hit an errant tee shot and bogeyed the 17th hole then parred the 18th to finish third at 141. He was tied with clubmate Oliver Tubb, who left a birdie putt inches short on 18 and missed joining the playoff.
Scutt collected $6,000 for the win. Bernakevitch took home runner-up money of $4,200 and Maxwell pocketed $1,750.
Other Greater Victoria golfers competing included Edd Boudreau of Gorge Vale and Rob Cruise of Highland Pacific, who finished as part of a six-way tie for 27th place at 151.
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