Although they didn't play, the Island’s junior golfers were the big winners at the 20th annual Slegg Lumber Pro Am tournament held July 16 at Glacier Greens Golf Course. This year's tournament raised nearly $8,500 for junior golf and the Slegg Lumber Junior Tour.
Clear skies and warm temperatures greeted the 26 pros and 104 amateurs. One of the day’s highlights was a $10,000 hole-in-one on the 188-yard, par-three seventh hole. Olympic View Golf Club head professional Kevin Maxwell scored the elusive ace using a six iron.
The hole sponsor Mark Hedican of WesternOne Rentals and Sales in Comox (who has sponsored a hole in this tournament for all 20 years) was very pleased for Kevin. Maxwell is well known in the Comox Valley for his curling and golfing talents. Scott Fraser of Royal LePage and Bill Girard of the Canadian Western Bank also sponsored hole-in-ones, however only Maxwell was able to get the ace.
Following play the participants and volunteers were treated to an excellent buffet and barbecue rib dinner prepared by Glacier Greens new chef Ben Gill and then all had a chance to visit a well stocked prize table.
First place in the team event with a score of - 32 went to Mohammed Khan (Golf Town) and his team of Phil Watson, David Mackay, Luke Barber and Dave Fritz. Next at -29 was Gord Mellisa (Pheasant Glen), Alan Dyck, Darren Dyck, Ian Haigh and Gavin Haigh.
At -26 was Shota Kanda (Pheasant Glen), Joe Formosa, Colem Kenny, Mike Code and Joel Formosa and also at -26 was Arron Grice (Gorge Vale), Jim Swanbeck, Craig Stepninuk, Chris Michaud and Ron Bilodeau. Fifth place went to the ace shooter Kevin Maxwell (Olympic View) and his team of Brian Hotsenpiller, Bruce Coulter, Bud Bryan and Adrian Haut.
The top seven pro winners were Maxwell at -6 , Gord Scutt ( Olympic View) at -3, Parker Lilly (Uplands) at -3, Gord Mellisa (Pheasant Glen) at even par, Brian Wise (Storey Creek) at even, Kevin Black (Seven Hills) at even and Glacier Greens head professional Bill Kelly at +2. KP prizes were awarded to Travis Hirkala, Joanne Matheson, Janine Kosmenko, Craig Stepinuk, Jean Tonks, Randy Doan and Wally Berger.
"Special thanks to Ron and Bob Slegg and to the many tournament sponsors," a tourney spokesperson said. "Thanks also to Gary Wood and Kelly Clausen from the local Slegg Lumber stores and to Bill Kelly and his staff and to the hard working tournament committee and volunteers."
– Glacier Greens Golf