The 78th annual North Island Men’s Open, presented by Comox Valley Dodge, took place at the Comox Golf Club July 4-5.
Local favourite, Lawry Willis, held the Day 1 lead after shooting a 65.
Perennial contender Greg Koster of Sunnydale was not far behind with a day one score of 66. Other notables from the draw was Gordon Grubisich Day 1 score of 67, Stephen Watson 67, Ken Osborne 69, Brian Benedictson 70, and Tyler VanAnrooy in windy afternoon conditions shooting an afternoon low score of 68.
On Day 2, in a haze of forest fire smoke, someone was bound to get hot – it was Nick Usher with a second round of 65 to finish in the top five. Steady play from Koster, Grubisich, VanAnrooy, and Osborne all shooting a 67 kept them at the top.
This year’s champion with a gross total of 7 under par 133 was Koster.
The net competition started with a hot round on Day 1 coming from Bill Schnider with a net 62. Also on Saturday there were hot rounds coming from Hank Modras, and Rick McCaugan shooting net 63s. With other notable rounds coming from Pat Riva and Victor Crisp net 65.
On Day 2 the net competition heated up with Jimmy Slater shooting a 57 net, his career low round, to crack into the top 5 with a total of 128.
Notables for Day 2 were Rick Siddall and Riva with the same net 128. Hot rounds coming from Briann Hegg, net 59, and Rick McCaughan, 64.
But it was veteran Modras with a net 61 that lifted the trophy at the end of the weekend.
For the past years Comox Valley Dodge has been the backbone of this 36-hole event event and have contributed tremendously to make this event the success that it is. Thank you Comox Valley Dodge.
Gross Results
1. Greg Koster 133
2. Gordon Grubisich 134
3. Tyler VanAnrooy 135
4. Ken Osborne 136
5. Nick Usher 136
Net results
1. Hank Modras 124
2. Brian Hegg 125
3. Rick McCaughan 127
4. tie Jim Slater 128
4. tie Rick Siddall 128
4. tie Pat Riva 128