2010 Flagstick
Shootout
Matthews Wins Flagstick Shootout
Home Course Player Defends Turf
 Gananoque,
Ontario – Sunday, May 30, 2010
– The pressure was on Joe Matthews to win the
Flagstick Golf Magazine Spring Amateur Shootout at
Smuggler’s Glen and the home course member was up to
the task.
Matthews, the reigning club champion at Smuggler’s
Glen, mounted a spectacular charge Sunday on his way
to winning the 2nd edition of the
tournament that attracted top male amateur golfers
from as far away as Florida.
Three strokes off the lead of defending champion
Allen McGee to start the day, Matthews posted a
brilliant round of 4 under par, 68, on Sunday to
surpass the former Volvo World Amateur Champion and
wrap up the championship in front of a throng of
supporters who greeted him on the 36th
hole of the tournament.
“I
kept the ball in play and putted well,” Matthews, a
Paramedic who plays golf a few times a week,
mentioned as his key to success. “I had a number in
mind that I thought I needed to beat Al because he
is such a good player. I kept focused on that and
just tried to shoot my number and sort of ignore
what he was doing.” Matthews felt he was an
underdog on the day but related that he drew on
experience as a competitive flat water sprint racer
and a time in 1986 when he and his team mate beat
out the world champion in the sport. “I came out
today knowing that this guy (Allen) was a way better
player than me but knowing that I had been a dragon
slayer before and that it was possible to do it
again.”
Matthews (74-68-142) and McGee (71-74-145) were
rather clear of the field and the battle for most of
the day really focused on the two of them. “Joey
really played well; he did not make a lot of
mistakes and once he got ahead I just couldn’t do
anything to close the gap,” said McGee of the
battle. “I wasn’t hitting very well so trying to
make up ground on a guy who was making birdies and
no mistakes was just too hard to do.”
Matthews struggled at the tournament last year was
proud to be the winner on his home track. “After
last year this is a bit of redemption. I’m happy to
be able to win here on my home course. I guess Al
was a little off his game today and I just happened
to be on.”
In
the B Flight competition Jeff Sanders was the
cream of the field by posting a score of 79-84-163
for the weekend and beating out both Shawn Sellick
and David Ibit by 7 strokes. “This is my first
tournament win. I just started to play competitive
golf again last year and I’ve come a long way. I’m
looking forward to getter better and competing in
more and more events.”
Jeff
Moulton (8-88-169) topped a tight battle in C
Flight, eventually securing a 2-stroke victory
over Dave Sturgis (87-84-171). “It’s great to win.
The course is very challenging and I can’t thank
Flagstick and Smuggler’s (Glen) enough for the
tournament; it’s so much fun. “Moulton says the key
to his win was keeping the ball out of trouble. “I
got off the tee well. If you don’t drive the ball
well here this course is really tough. But I got off
the tee and guess that was the difference.”
Flagstick Golf Magazine Publisher Jeff Bauder was
pleased by the event that saw a solid field of 70
golfers enjoy competition and camaraderie over the
course of the weekend. “It was a great two days and
we look forward to doing it all again next year.”
New
event sponsors this year included Nike Golf Canada,
CIBC Woody Gundy (Knudsen, Brady, Vaughn), Bleeker
TV & Stereo, and Aquafina.
For
editorial images and more information please contact
Jeff Bauder, Flagstick Golf Magazine (613) 821-0888.
Complete scoring
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