Winner Greg Doherty with Tour Directors John and David Brisson
Sebastian Szmirmak, Jon Mills, Reggie Millage
Jon Mills and his hole-in-one!
Brad Revell, David Crawford, Dan Bowling
Ian Doig, Brad Young
Richard Jung
Zack Schnurr, Lee French, Nate Lockey
Jon Rondeau
Mike Woodcock, Michael Gonko, Joey Hetherman
Dave Brisson with Greg Doherty, Sang Lee & Kyler Murphy
Kyler Murphy and his albatross!
Greg Doherty and his day 2 score
We liked Andrew Jensen’s brights at out Hunters Pointe event. Andrew is sponsored by Adidas and is wearing Adidas Performance.
Greg Doherty and his group were the last to come in for the June 3rd tournament at National Pines. Players battled the whirling wind on the cool, “spring” day, with four finishing under par. Greg Doherty of Mississauga and Will Mitchell of Bowmanville tied for first shooting 3 under and went into a playoff from the first tee. Mitchell made par but Greg came and birdied the hole. Nick Kenney of Toronto and Colin MacGregor of Freelton Tied for third shooting 1 under. To view the National Pines event leaderboard, click here.
Post Game Interview
How did you feel about your round?
1. I was very pleased with how I hit the ball off the tee, my putting and up and down game. It was a tough day so I knew I would just have to be patient out there. I was able to get off the tee really well and made a lot of crucial putts both to save pars and for birdie and that got me through the windy conditions.
Have you had to adjust your game as a result of all the wind and rain this season?
2. I haven’t had to do too much adjusting. Just from working with my swing coach, Shane LeBaron, I have got my swing where I want it right now and I’ve got a simple wind shot to flight it lower. That just makes it a little easier to play my game even in tough weather I guess.
Have you been in a Playoff before? Do you handle playoffs any different than your regular round?
3. I’ve played in a few playoffs over the years, the last one was last year at the Victoria Park East, Great Lakes Tour event. It was a 5 hole playoff which I lost to David Sheman. For playoffs I just think of them more like match play, I just have to beat the other guy on that hole. Sometimes you’re able to do that sometimes it goes the other way.
You played in the Canadian Open last year. What experience did you gain?
4. The Canadian Open was a lot of fun and I just tried to soak in as much as possible. Probably the best thing I got out of it was the confidence and belief that I can play out there with those guys. The first round out there I was battling nerves all day and it was tough to preform my best but the second day I felt really comfortable and played very solid and beat both the PGA tour players I was playing with. So now I just can’t wait to get another shot out there!
What are your 2013 plans playing professional golf?
5. I’m sort of just going to play all over the place this season. Ill play the Great Lakes tour for the next couple of months, try and qualify for the Canadian open again, some time in August I think I’m going to head down south to play a few eGolf tour events, which I was playing this spring, and then in the fall prepare for either PGA Tour Canada or Web.com q-school.
Tell us about your career at DePaul. Were you successful at the collegiate level?
6. I played 4 years at DePaul University in Chicago, IL. A lot of fun and a lot of hard work. We were sort of a smaller, middle of the pack division 1 program but we improved each year I was there. I had a bit of success in college, one win, 4-5 runner up finishes, I made the all-conference team. Probably one of the things I’m most proud of though is being a two time academic all-American because for me it wasn’t just important to be successful on the course but I also wanted to get a good education. I mean my success in college and in amateur golf in the summers was why I am pursuing my dream, to be a PGA Tour player.
We asked David Markle of Shelburne, winner of our May 9th Otter Creek event, “What’s In Your Bag?”
Zack Schnurr of Huntsville won the two-day platinum event at Rockway Glen, taking place May 2nd & 3rd. Ottawa’s Andrew Jensen led through the first 27 holes of the tournament until Schnurr came in with a strong finish shooting 4 under par. Andrew Jenson finished second at 3 under and Michael Gligic of Burlington, and Eric Hawerchuk of Barrie tied for third shooting 2 under.
It was the first event that the Great Lakes Tour held at this Vineland course and the pros had great things to say. We will definitely be returning next year. For full event results, click here.
How long have you been golfing?
I started when I was about 8, going to the driving range occasionally with pops. Started to play junior tournaments when I was 12. Was a AAA baseball and hockey goalie but gave them up for golf when I was about 14. (Loved playing hockey but the shots got to hard for me, Im a whimp.)
What does the Great Lakes Tour mean to you?
Great Lakes Tour means a lot. I played my first event in 2006 on the amateur series. A funny story I will never forget was my first GLT amateur event, I was 16 and played at Copetown Woods. I shot 69 (which was a great score for me at the time) and found myself in a playoff with Vic Ciesielski. I was so nervous playing against Big Vic – I felt like Rocco and he was Tiger! Yeah, he kicked my butt in the playoff and then qualified for the Canadian Open the next day. I went to the Open to watch him and I got his autograph! Now he is a good buddy of mine. In 2008, I turned pro and have played multiple events each year since then. The competition is outstanding, the events are professionally run and it is a great way to prepare yourself for PGA Tour Canada.
You tuned Pro at a young age, what advice do you have for other young players?
Follow your dreams. My dream ever since I was a youngster was to play on the PGA Tour. Getting a sniff of that last year at the Canadian Open makes you want to work that much harder to get out there!
Were you recruited by any American schools?
I talked to many schools throughout the States but didn’t believe it was the path for me so I decided otherwise.
Where do you plan on competing this year?
This year I plan on playing Great Lakes to get ready for my PGA Tour Canada season. I have sectionals of US Open qualifying followed by 8-9 PGA Tour Canada events in which I hope to add a few other events or Monday quaifiers.
What did you do over the winter to prepare for the 2013 season?
The last few winters I have been training in Houston, Texas with a good buddy of mine. This year I was fortunate enough to receive a Sunshine Tour membership as well as an exemption into the European Tours Joburg Open so I spent a month in South Africa traveling and playing a couple events. It was an amazing experience I will never forget. It is very different over there and quite eye opening.
Why did you choose Hidden Lake as your home course?
When I was 13 I started working at Hidden Lake. They have a great junior and ‘yogi’ program which is kids who work 2 shifts a week for free golf. At the time I could not afford a membership and took advantage of this great opportunity. Since then I have fell in love with the course, facility, members and staff and am proud to call Hidden Lake home.
What do you do in your spare time?
I am a sports fanatic, I dont ever really watch TV shows, I couldn’t tell you anything about any TV series (other then Dexter) but I could tell you about every sports game each night! I spend alot of time outside the golf course with my caddy Ryan Leeming. He is a good friend and I can’t thank him enough for all the time he has put towards caddying for me over the last couple years.
How often do you practice?
During the summer I try to practice everyday. You dont want to get worn out, but my days off’ usually include an hour or two on the putting green. I like the quote “If your not getting better everyday, someone else is”.
What are your gym workouts like?
I’ve been fortunate to have joined Twist Sports Conditioning in Burlington. Its very sports specific. They have great, highly educated trainers and really target each workout to your needs which is what I like. Most places have generic workouts in which they give to everyone but Twist is different. My workouts consist of balance, core, stability etc. I have a great trainer and really look forward to going to the gym. My only regret…not knowing about Twist earlier!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself on the PGA Tour. Its been a dream of mine for many years now. I’d love to make it so I can give back to the people who have helped me along the way, especially my family. They have made some big sacrifices for me. My brother has severe autism so it’s a goal of mine to be able to help by contributing financially to autism research. Another goal of mine, within a year or two, is to raise money and run a half marathon for autism.
When you win your first PGA Tour event, what will you buy?
Depends on when it was I won it. If I won next week, I would be the new Range Rover and probably a down payment on a house. I have a passion in real estate and investing so I’d probably put the rest into something like that.
The Great Lakes Tour managed to avoid the rain for the first time in the 2013 season! Event registration brought a strong field with Danny King, Zoltan Veress, Michael Gligic and Victor Ciesielski on the roster. Ben Ferguson of Ancaster took the win shooting 67. Michael Gligic, David Sheman and Ben Moser tie for second with scores of 69. Despite Ferguson’s win, we will call Moser player of the game as he drove back from Texas, arriving the morning of, to play the Great Lakes Tour event.
1. What are your goals for 2013?
My golf goals for 2013 remain the same as previous years; try to elevate game towards the Web.com and PGA Tour. A couple personal goals this year are to drop 15 lbs in the gym and read at least one book every month.
2. How did you prepare over the winter?
Last fall I went to PGA Tour Qualifying School in Florida. After that I was in South Fort Myers. I’m lucky enough to play and practice at Old Corkscrew Golf Club in Estero. A good friend of mine Phil Anderson, gives me playing privileges there also, my coach Dave Smallwood spends his winters there. My accommodations are also taken care of thanks to Derek McGrath, Troy Dempsey and Matt Dahmer allowing me to stay at their condo. I’m pretty fortunate to have good friends that support my golf.
3. Where else are you going to compete this summer?
I have a very busy schedule this summer that I’m excited about. My main goal is to play as many Web.com and PGA Tour events as possible so I will be going to a few Monday qualifiers. Also, I will be playing a couple PGA Tour Canada events along with a full Great Lakes Tour schedule and a few other events in Ontario.
4. What’s your favorite part about playing at Whistlebear?
Whistlebear is such an amazing club it’s hard to pick just one thing. The golf course is always in perfect condition, we get spoiled with the fairways and greens every year as they’re always so perfectly manicured. The staff and amenities rival any other club I’ve played. I’d say my favourite would have to be the practice facility, an amazing range, wedge range, short game area and massive putting green. All in all a pretty awesome place to spend my days.
5. You’re a Titleist and Sligo staff player, how have they helped you over the years?
Titleist has been the best manufacture of golf clubs since I started playing. With that being said, I’ve always have had full confidence in my equipment and Titleist Canada has done everything in their power to make sure I have everything I need to succeed. I’ve been wearing Sligo clothing now since 2005. When I was at the University of Waterloo we wore their product and during my Canadian Open run in 2006, my clothing was one of the main talking points. I love wearing the clothing; it’s fashionable, comfortable, breathable, fitted, and they love and support Canadian golf. What’s not to love?
6. If you could play any course in the world tomorrow, where would it be?
Considering the Masters just ended it would be Augusta National by a long shot.
7. What advice do you have for our golfers who have just turned pro?
Everyone hits the ball well. Work on getting that egg in the hole. Wedges, pitching, chipping and endless hours on the putting green.
8. Who is your favorite player on tour?
Well he is the reason I started playing golf in 96, Tiger Woods. I also love Greg Norman, Freddy Couples and I support any Canadian that is out there trying make it big.
9. You’ve been playing with the Great Lakes Tour for 7 years now, how has it helped you?
The Great Lakes Tour is a great stepping stone towards highly competitive golf on tour. Each week we are playing against previous PGA Tour, Web.com tour and current PGA Tour Canada players so it is an amazing way to test how your game stacks up against some of the best golfers in Canada.
10. Will we be seeing the famous flow again?
HAHA the flow comes and goes. The short hair makes me look professional but I don’t think I’m fooling anyone.
Great Lakes Tour 