Eighty golfers from as far away as Australia braved mixed conditions in the 36-hole 2012 Blossom Festival Golf Tournament at the Creston Golf Club. The course held up well on a very wet closing round on May 21, causing most scores to be higher.
Men’s champion 21-year-old Nik Jmaeff, opened with a two-under-par score in his Sunday round and increased his lead to nine with a 75 on a wet Monday. Jmaeff (nephew of Creston Valley Bakery owner Yuri Jmaeff) is hoping to join the Canadian professional tour but realizes he needs more experience before qualifying. In the meantime, he is working in the pro shop at Castlegar Golf Club. Jmaeff commented that he enjoyed the hospitality and the course, especially the challenge of our greens.
Along with Jmaeff from the championship flight, the final foursome on the Monday was surprisingly made up of three local golfers from the first flight. Len Mosher, Don Harbison and Ed Loseth all carded fine rounds of 74 on the opening day. Their scores on the second round were disappointing, but were low enough for all to be presented with net prizes. Also on the second day, local Leigh Walker shot under par for his first nine, but finished with a 154 total to take second low gross. Third low gross was Danny Huscroft, from the Coolangacta Tweed Heads Golf Club in Australia, who, as a junior in Creston, showed great promise. He finished strongly on Monday with a back nine of level par.
The ladies’ flight was dominated by local golfers with only four visitors from out of town. Cherie Baker, a longtime member and perennial champion, took a three-stroke lead into the Monday round and fought off a challenge from Ruthie Hoffman and Joyce Johnson to coast home with a 164 total.
The low net men’s champion was Gord Johnson with a total of net 136, edging Harbison, Mosher and Loseth by a single shot. Highest handicap Anke Croteau from Lakeside Greens Golf Club in Calgary was the ladies’ net champion with net 151, outscoring Joyce Johnson by only two shots.
Kudos to Devan Davidson and his staff for the excellent condition of the course. Congratulations also to Don Price and his committee, and Randy Panton and the pro shop for another smoothly run tournament.
Low Gross (Men)
Nik Jmaeff, 145
Leigh Walker, 154
Danny Huscroft, 155
Low Gross (Ladies)
Cherie Baker, 164
Ruthie Hoffman, 172
Joyce Johnson, 173
Low Net (Men)
Gord Johnson, 136
Danny Huscroft, 137
Don Harbison, 137
Low Net (Ladies)
Anke Croteau, 151
Joyce Johnson, 153
Leslie Harbison, 155
Championship Flight
Nik Jmaeff (first gross, 145)
Scott Podovelnikoff (first net, 143)
Leigh Walker (second gross, 154)
Dave Handy (second net, 144)