Perfect golfing conditions were welcomed by 89 golfers at the 2013 Senior Open tournament held July 4 and 5 at the Creston Golf Club, in a season noteworthy for bizarre weather patterns.
Ladies were divided into two flights, 69-and-under and 70-plus. The men had four divisions: 50-59, 60-64 years, 65-69 and 70-plus. All golfers compete for the major trophies, which, unusually for this year, were won by golfers in the younger divisions.
Bryan Smithson (50-59) was awarded the low gross trophy with a score of 152. His first round of 75 was tied with one of his older rivals, John Gilmour. His 77 on the second day was good enough to edge out Don Price, also from the 70-plus flight. Larry Walker, (60-64) won the net trophy for the first time with a score of 138, followed closely by Vern Ronmark with 141.
Leslie Harbison, in the younger ladies’ division, won the low gross trophy with 173, five shots ahead of Virginia Harder. Marlys Joy, with a net score of 146, six shots ahead of Lila Murtac, won the net trophy.
Participants agreed that the course has never been in better condition thanks to Devan Davidson and his crew. Regular visitors especially appreciated the new fine sand in the greenside bunkers.
In the clubhouse, Dennis Munroe and his staff lived up to their usual high standards of catering and service. Senior open organizers and rules committee, Price and Harbison, ensured that the tournament went smoothly, aided by hard-working volunteers Wally McDevitt, Joanne Prodaniuk, Lexi Loseth, Mary Sawyer and Angie Pawson.
Finally, kudos also to the O’Keefe family and other pro shop staff for their professional transition into their new post.
Local golfers and visiting participants from as far away as Stoneridge, Idaho, and Kelowna were suitably impressed by the whole event.
Detailed results:
Ladies 69 and under: Leslie Harbison (gross, 173), Virginia Harder (runner up, 178); Marlys Joy (net, 146), Lila Murtac (runner up, 152).
Ladies 70-plus: Mary Anne Bennett (gross, 187), Dona Hindley (runner up, 204); Anita Wellspring (net, 153), Gaylene Dyck (runner up, 159).
Men 59 and under: Bryan Smithson (gross, 152), Tim Jost (second, 160), Randy Sterling (third, 165); Lawrence Ward (net, 145), Real Emmond (second, 145), Greg Ignatieff (third, 145), Doug Kashuba (fourth, 147).
Men 60-64: Dave Ralston (gross, 161), Don Harbison (second, 165), Tom Foxcroft (third, 168); Larry Walker (net, 138), Dale Benedetti (second, 144), Ken Wood (third, 148), Dan Kinney (fourth, 149).
Men 65-69: Gerry White (gross, 160), Greg Coldwell (second, 161), Tim Park (third, 165); Vern Ronmark (net, 141), Jim Buck (second, 143), Ed Loseth (third, 146), Charles Vanderwindt (fourth, 146).
Men 70-plus: Don Price (gross, 154), Wes Deitz (second, 159), John Gilmour (third, 161); Barry Proud (net, 141), Frank Korol (second, 142), Bill Mayer (third, 146), Paul Schoenhals (fourth, 146).
—BY PHIL THOMAS