‘Fore Words’ from the Inbox

Stephen Ames & Paul Casey play the Fox Creek Challenge

Charity the real winner as Stephen Ames and Paul Casey challenge New Brunswick’s Fox Creek

Stephen Ames (left) and Paul Casey enjoy a light moment at Fox Creek Golf Club in Dieppe, New Brunswick on Tuesday during the Fox Creek Challenge which drew hundreds of fans and raised funds for the Stephen Ames Foundation and local junior golf.

Casey won the 18-hole stroke play event with a two-under par 70 while Ames shot 72. It marked the first time that Casey—the third ranked player in the world—had played golf in Canada, and the first time that Ames had played in New Brunswick.

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Tambellini and Doan ice Gretzky

Nationwide Tour event has many winners

Wayne Gretzky’s second annual Nationwide Tour golf tournament finished with Roger Tambellini earning the victory with a  20-under 265 score, taking the $144,018 USD prize purse and the coveted Gretzky champion’s ring.

Other winners included Olympian Catriona Le May Doan who took the celebrity title in a scorecard playoff with a 42-under 243 score (edging out tournament host Wayne Gretzky) to win the keys to a brand new 2010 Ford Mustang. Cassie Campbell finished third with a 40-under 245. The Amateur title went to Steve Nicklaus, son of golf legend Jack Nicklaus, who shot a 39-under, 246 winning a brand new 2010 Ford Taurus.

“Congratulations to Roger, Catriona and Steve – they all played an impressive couple of rounds this week,” said Wayne Gretzky, who was narrowly beaten by Le May Doan.  “Catriona put the pressure on and made it tough to keep up –we’ll hope for a rematch next year.”

As with the 2008 event, celebrities drew large crowds during the first two rounds, with notable names not making the cut including Charles Barkley, Brett Hull, Todd Bertuzzi, Donovan Bailey, Damon Allen, Mike Keenan, Janet Gretzky and many others. Also making a massive contribution was the local community, as more than 700 volunteers rallied around the event, providing support on the course and through hospitality, security and transportation responsibilities.

“Last year, we were overwhelmed with the support from the friends, volunteers and local communities,” said Gretzky. “There was no way we could have hoped for more this year but we have been completely blown away, with more people helping us make this event something special.”

As the 15^th of 29 events of the 2009 Nationwide Tour season, fans were treated to some of golf’s next ‘great ones’, as the pros competed at the mid-way point of their season. With the Nationwide Tour’s top 25 earning a spot in the PGA TOUR next year, competition is fierce, with much more at stake than just tournament winnings.

“The Nationwide Tour is thrilled to come back to Canada this year,” said Jim Duncan, Nationwide Tour Tournament Director. “The fans, staff and community made this a very popular event for players in 2008, and this year is no different. The courses are in perfect shape and the players really love competing here.”

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MITCH SUTTON SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS CANADIAN JUNIOR BOYS TITLE

Toronto’s Brandon Ng claims Canadian Juvenile title

Kitchener, Ont. (RCGA) – It was a battle to the finish, but when the divots settled at the 2009 Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Westmount Golf and Country Club, Mitch Sutton of London, Ont. was once again crowned champion.

Sutton fired a final round 1-under par 72 to finish at 6-under par and edge out third round leader Justin Shin of Maple Ridge, B.C.

Shin and Sutton both held the lead numerous times during the final round, but a double bogey five on No. 17 for Shin all but sealed the deal for Sutton.

“Tough break for Justin on No. 17,” said Sutton, shortly after coming out of the scoring tent. “He had a plugged lie in the bunker and ended up double bogeying. It was tough to watch, but it worked out well for me. I’m speechless right now. These past few weeks have been a blur.”

The win marks Sutton’s second in as many years at the Canadian Juniors. Sutton also claimed the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO’s) Investors Group Junior Boys’ Match Play Championship on July 24th.

Last year at the Canadian Junior Boy’s Championship, Sutton outlasted Calgary’s Jack Wesche, who lost his drive on the final hole of the event before eventually double bogeying, and handing the lead over to Sutton.

This win was almost a mirror image of 2008’s final round, with Sutton finding himself in a sprint to the finish line with one of his playing partners. Like last year, Sutton managed to prevail.

“Last year’s win definitely helped prepare me for today’s finish,” added Sutton. “I had some nerves coming in on the back and my hands started to get a little shaky on a few putts. I thought back to last year, and how that panned out for me, which helped to calm me down.”

With the win, Sutton becomes the seventh competitor since the championship’s origin in 1938 to successfully defend his Canadian Junior Boys Championship title. Sutton, 17, is eligible for next year’s championship where he can look to become only the second to three-peat, with Winnipeg’s Rob McMillan (1992-1994) being the lone champion to accomplish the feat.

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Ping Launches Their Most Comprehensive New Line of Products Ever – as part of 5oth anniversary celebration

One of golf’s most innovating equipment companies brings you the new G15 and i15 Series which will include drivers, irons, fairways and hybrids.

The focus of the G15 Series is forgiveness while the i15 Series is for better players looking for workability and control.

Ping will also introduce its new iN Series of putters, which will include no less than 10 different models in addition to two brand new additions to its JAS and i-Series of line of flat sticks.

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Ernie Els and JJ Henry will be in town to play in the 2009 Golf Town Invitational.

For more on this event and a chance to watch check out the post from earlier in the month right [HERE]

May Also be of Interest:

• London’s Mitch Sutton Defends Junior Boys Title
• ‘Fore Words’ from the Inbox
• ‘Fore Words’ from the Inbox
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• ‘Fore Words’ from the Inbox …