Hillcrest Golf Club competitor Lorie Boyle at the top of the leaderboard in the women’s division. Fellow Hillcrest standout Ken Bradley doing the same in the men’s tournament. Same old, same old.
Of course, things are a bit different.
Boyle won the Mae Belmos Trophy as the top women’s player 60-and-over and finished second in the main women’s draw, while Bradley put together the top score in the Legends division as the top men’s player 75-and-over and also landed second in the Super Seniors Forward Tees division.
Both tournaments were three-round events played at the Legends Golf Course in Warman this past Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Boyle recorded a 230 total, shooting on opening round 75 and following with a 78 to sit two shots back of Wascana’s Kim Walker heading into the final round. Walker would shoot a one-under 71 to Boyle’s 77 through, and take the senior women’s title by eight strokes.
“I was really happy with my play this week,” Boyle said. “Kim’s a great competitor and so is (fourth- place finisher) Denise Wilson and (third-place) Sue Skinner, they’re all good players and I had to be on top of my game.”
Thing is, it could have been far, far closer.
Boyle carded an eight on the Legends signature 18th hole in her final round, after taking birdie in round two and even eagling the thing in her opening round.
“I was looking forward to that, hole too,” Boyle said ruefully. “I pulled my drive into the water and that was it right off the bat. It’s probably one of the toughest holes in the province, if anyone has played the Legends, they know it’s a scary hole. It’s out there, and everyone gets to play the same thing.”
As it stands, Boyle would end up with a six-shot win over Wilson to claim the Mae Belmos.
She also qualified for the senior women’s provincial team and could travel to nationals, but has chosen to opt out.
“I could go but it’s just too mentally exhausting,” Boyle said. “I’m just stressed all week, so I’m done with it. I’ve been there 18 times, let the younger ones go and that’s fine by me.”
Bradley carded a 237 total through his three rounds, shooting 78 on Tuesday, 83 on Wednesday and 76 on Thursday. That was good enough to win the Legends Division by one shot over Saskatoon’s Doug Piper and finish seven shots behind Royal Regina’s Dale Heisler in the Super Senior Forward Tees class.
Not a bad result at all, but one that left the former provincial champion disappointed in his short game and what could have been.
“I didn’t play particularly well around the greens for three days,” Bradley said. “I didn’t chip and putt very well, but I hit the ball super well off the tees and hit my irons okay… it was good enough to win the Legends, though, so I’m happy with that.”
Just as an example, Bradley pointed to his number of putts -- 33, 37 and 39 putts for each round, compared to his usual 30 or 31.
“I putted so badly I even had two four putts, one on the second day and one on the third day,” Bradley said. “That’s how it goes sometimes. I’ve been playing well lately but just not quite as well this week, but I finished first and that’s all that counts for now.”
For complete results from the week, check out www.golfsaskatchewan,org.
