BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
John Hastie ended any arguments about who is
the best golfer in Greater Sudbury by winning the first-ever
city championship.
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John Hastie won the first-ever
Sudbury Golfing Championship. |
Hastie, who's the head professional at the
Lively Golf and Country Club, fired a final round of 72 to
claim the inaugural championship at the Timberwolf Golf Course
on Monday afternoon.
Hastie beat about 24 of Sudbury's best, and
most respected, golfers.
He entered the final round two shots behind
the lead after a wild weekend of golf action.
Despite sweltering conditions that saw the
thermometer reach 29 C, Hastie was able to remain cool under
pressure and chip away at the leader board until he was the
champ when the dust settled.
Heading into the final few holes, Hastie was
tied with Ryan Cooney, a local CPGA instructor.
Like warriors locked in a desperate battle,
the two men went toe-to-toe all the way to the final hole, but
it was Hastie's impeccable consistency that would eventually
pay the supreme dividends.
Hastie, holding a slim lead, blasted his
approach shot from 245 yards out, and dropped his ball to
within eight feet of the cup.
The shot brought about a robust chorus of
cheers from the faithful gathered just outside the Timberwolf
Clubhouse.
Cooney's approach shot found a bunker and dug
deep into the sand, basically eliminating him from
contention.
Hastie, in fine fashion, drained his
eight-foot putt for the victory.
"It feels good," said Hastie. "The course was
great...and so was the competition. I shot the ball
consistently on the greens and fairways. I will have bragging
rights for at least a year. If there's another (Sudbury
Championship) I will be there to defend."
Hastie made up for any mistakes with his
awesome driving and precise approach shots during the
tournament.
It was time for Sudbury to settle the dispute
of just who was the best golfer in the Nickel City.
"Yes, it was time for Sudbury to have a
championship like this," said Cooney. "John's a very deserving
winner and earned this win. I am second best. I had a good
lead, but couldn't hold it. Maybe the pressure got to me.
Whether you're female, male, senior, junior, amateur or
professional...this decided who is the best. I will be back for
the next one for sure. It was a lot of fun."
The tournament also featured the likes of
Kurt Kowaluk, former Idylwylde invitational Champion, NHL
hockey player and long ball hitter, Brian Savage, and 2004
Timberwolf Club Champion Pat Laferriere.
