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Sports: Amazing chip propels Cunningham to title
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Vince Cunningham hoists the championship trophy in jubilation after his win at the High Prairie Open Golf Tournament Aug. 29.30. He defeated last year’s champion, Lee Hunt, by one stroke.
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Chris Clegg
for South Peace News
It was difficult to tell who was happier with the outcome: Vince Cunningham or his legion of fans!
Cunningham fired a 150 over 36 holes, including a sizzling three under par 33 on the first nine holes the second day, to win the Men’s Championship Flight at the High Prairie Open Golf Tournament Aug. 29-30.
Cunningham, a definite favourite with other golfers, won his first title in the process. He overcame a six-shot deficit to first day leader Sandford Gauchier, who fired 74 the first day but slipped to 83 the second day and six shots back. Last year’s champion, Lee Hunt, placed second only one shot behind. He needed to make an extremely difficult putt on the final hole but like so many others before him, came up short.
“If you missed it, you were in big trouble,” says Hunt, referring to the fact the ball would roll down an incline.
Cunningham says his win was attributed to making big shots at the right time.
“My putting and chipping was the difference,” he says.
Indeed. Cunningham fired his ball into the water on the second par five during his final round but chipped in to save par. He then chipped in for birdie on the next hole which proved to be the difference. He also birdied both par threes en route to his amazing first nine holes Sunday.
Tyler Shantz placed third and was tied with Hunt after the first day with scores of 77. Hunt bested Shantz 39-37 the second day to place second.
Andrea Stevens won her first title by winning the Ladies Championship Flight by five strokes over former champion Lorraine Wilton. There wasn’t nearly as much drama as the men’s tournament as Stevens fired a 79 the first day to lead by three strokes over Wilton. Stevens gained another nine strokes on Wilton during the first nine holes Sunday. Wilton faltered shooting 8-7-6 on the final three holes, each par fours. She did rebound by firing 40 to Steven’s’ 47 on the final nine but it was too little, too late.
Tournament committee member Dave Temple says he was very pleased with the way the tournament operated.
“It went very well, it was a good weekend,” he says.
Temple was hoping attendance would approach 100; however, the 82 golfers who completed the tournament represented a higher number than other years.
“We do have 215 members so it means a lot of our members didn’t golf,” he says.
Temple adds he appreciates the comments received on the superb condition of the course, from local and out-of-town golfers.
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