One of the oldest golf tournaments in B.C. has a new sponsor this year.
Comox Valley Dodge is the new title sponsor for the North Island Men's Open Golf Tournament, which goes this weekend (July 7-8) at the Comox Golf Club. "We would like to take the opportunity to thank our previous sponsor, Investors Group, for their support," a tourney spokesperson said.
The event, which began in 1937, will include an expected field of approximately 100 golfers. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the tournament. Last year's champion and three-time winner Stephen Watson is returning to defend his title.
Notable players include seven-time winner Greg Koster of Crown Isle, Mitch Carr-Hilton (1997) of Crown Isle and Lawry Willis (1990). Other players to watch include Comox Golf Club head professional Doug Petrie, Glacier Greens assistant Justin Howard, Comox Golf Club Men’s Club captain Kyle Mudge, Tyler VanAnrooy of Sunnydale, and former Canadian Tour professional John Robertson. "Our low net winner of last year and long time member at Comox Golf Club Pat Riva, will also be with us," the tourney spokesperson noted.
"The players will be competing for approximately $11,000 in prizes as well as hole-in-one prizes including $5,000 in cash sponsored by the Investors Group, a new automobile sponsored by Comox Valley Dodge Chrysler, a 50-inch plasma TV sponsored by the Visual Sound Store, a vacation sponsored by Flight Centre and a set of Calloway Woods sponsored by Rice Toyota.
"The tournament is also well supported by several local businesses," the spokesperson noted.