A strong finish helped Doug Morgan of The Redwoods GC seal a three-shot win over Bill Kelly of Glacier Greens GC and Kevin Maxwell of Olympic View GC at the 2014 Cleveland Golf/Srixon Canada PGA of BC Club Professional Championship.
In the second round of the Sept. 30-Oct. 1 tourney, Morgan birdied the 17th hole at Seymour Golf & Country Club to push his lead to three strokes over Maxwell and four over Kelly, affording him some breathing room. A safe par on the long 18th put the finishing touches on a final round even-par 72, good enough to take the title.
"I played well coming down the stretch," said Morgan. "I made a great putt on #14 (to take the lead) and then gave myself chances at #15 and #16. The birdie on #17 was a nice cushion, then on #18 I just played safe for par, taking the left side out of play."
Morgan finished at -3 (141) after an opening round 69 Tuesday - the only player in the field to finish under par on a damp, long, Seymour Golf & Country Club. Morgan missed only five fairways in two rounds, a significant advantage over those forced to play from Seymour's thick, wet, rough.
Maxwell, who held the first round lead at the PGA of BC Championship in August, closed with a +2 (74) to tie for second at even par. A birdie on #14 allowed him to briefly grab a share of the lead, but it disappeared moments later when Morgan matched to retain his advantage. Maxwell was unable to match Morgan's solid play on the last four holes.
Playing partner and friend Kelly contended throughout the day as well, and shared the lead through 13 holes. Late bogeys sank Kelly's chances for the title, but he finished with a birdie at the 18th to join Maxwell in second, closing with a +1 (73) for his even par total.
Derek Thornley of Fraserview Golf Course finished alone in fourth place, firing rounds of 74-72 to finish at +2 overall.
Thornley finished three shots ahead of Victoria Golf Club's Lindsay Bernakevitch, who made an early charge but could not sustain the pace. Bernakevitch finished alone in fifth, at +5.
CHIP INS View full scores here … it's been years since Morgan last hoisted a PGA of British Columbia trophy, but this year he added to the PGA of BC Championship titles he won in 2009 and 2010 …
– PGA of BC