On Monday July 4, the Bowen Island Golf Club hosted the Srixon Pro Tour in the 1st Annual J&E Backhoe Pro-Am. There were many factors in the success of the event but title sponsorship from Ed Weismiller's J&E Backhoe, the First Credit Union's putting competition, hole sponsors, catering from Chef Michael Nagy of Miksa Restaurant, support from Dan Dodman of Srixon/Cleveland and the 20-plus Bowen Island Golf Club volunteers provided a first-class experience for the pros, amateur players and spectators.
The tournament format was two-person teams of one pro and one amateur. Although the course was set up tough with fast greens, the team of tour pro Bryn Parry and local junior golfer Evan Puri took top honours with a net score of 58.
The net score was overshadowed by Bryn Parry shattering the course record of 65 with a blistering 7 under par 63. Parry's record setting scorecard is sure to grace the walls of our new clubhouse. Parry's thank you speech summed up the success of the event: Bowen Islanders are to be proud of the great community effort to put on such an event. It is by far the best 9 hole golf course he has ever seen and one of the best conditioned courses they play on tour, and he hopes that the tour will be welcomed back in 2012.
There were many great stories on the day but standout performances by our own BIGC amateurs Evan Puri, Derek Puri, Steve Baskerville, Tom Roocroft, Bob Sangster and Mark Groen all made it into the top 10.
Congratulations to all our staff, those who played and all our volunteers for participating in the event. Here's to next year's event.
SPENCER GRUNDY
B.I. Golf Club, General Manager
