For 2013 results of the Times Colonist Island Savings Open go to www.pgatourcanada.com
This Californian proves he rocks at Uplands
Andrew Roque from Monterey Park, California, and Victoria’s Cory Renfrew did not look like Canadian Tour
rookies playing in their first events this week during the Times Colonist Island Savings Open.
On Sunday at Uplands Golf Club, the 24-year-old Roque was unstoppable, rattling off seven consecutive birdies on his last seven holes to win the 29th annual Open by three shots over Renfrew and Lucas Lee of Brazil. Roque won $24,000 from the total purse of $150,000.
Roque fired a sizzling 61, which tied the course record set by Merritt’s Roger Sloan during the 2010 Open.
“This is a relief to win this,” Roque said. “I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well. I was under a lot of stress, just like the final round of qualifying school. If I didn’t win this, I felt that it would have been a waste of time and money to come here.
When I started rolling on the back nine, before I would hit my tee shot, I knew that I would make a birdie.”
The seven consecutive birdies fell one short of the Canadian Tour record of eight, set by Jason Bohn at the 2002 Texas Challenge.
One special guest in Roque’s gallery Sunday was his father, who made a surprise visit from California to watch his son’s final round.
Roque’s round included 10 birdies and one bogey.
“I felt if there were more holes out there, I felt that I could have shot 60 or lower.
“During some of the early holes, I was fooled a bit by the wind and I just tried to keep my shots below the trees.
“If I couldn’t win this event, I was pulling for Cory [Renfrew] to do it.” Roque was the recent medallist at the Canadian Tour’s qualifying school in California while Renfrew placed third.
“This was a magical week for me,” said Renfrew, who had a large gallery of hundreds following his every shot. “I played very solid and this was a great experience. It was fun having that large gallery following me. They hooted and hollered on every shot.
“I tried to stay aggressive today but I left too many putts short. What I will take away from this event is that I have to be more aggressive with my putter.”
Renfrew, 26, began the day with a three-shot lead over Lee, Jeff Rangel of Martinez, California, and Derek Gillespie of Oshawa, Ont. He made the turn with a one-shot advantage before Roque made his charge.
“I didn’t really do any leaderboard watching until the 14th or 15th hole,’’ said Renfrew. “I was just trying to make birdies.
“I never met Andrew [Roque] at qualifying school, but I guess he knows how to go low. That is what it takes to win on this tour.”
BUNKER SHOTS: It will be a busy week for Nate McCoy of Des Moines, Iowa, and his fiancée, Ashley. After playing in the Open, Nate and Ashley flew home to complete their Saturday wedding plans. Ashley, a teacher in Des Moines, was Nate’s caddy all week. McCoy, who was here on a sponsor’s exemption, plans on taking part in the remaining Canadian Tour events. … The Victoria Housing Society is the official charity of the Open. The society received a cheque for $11,019.50. … Former University of Victoria student Mitch Evanecz carded a final-round, 4-under 66 to finish at even par 280, which was tied for 27th place. Parker Lilly from Uplands, also a UVic grad, was also at 280. Stu Anderson of Sooke, who will soon be returning to the Nationwide Tour, was one behind Evanecz and Parker at 281. Darren Griff of Nanaimo was tied for 65th place at 289 (9-over). rrauch@timescolonist.com
Please visit www.cantour.com for complete results.
Jose de Jesus Rodriguez Clinches Second Consecutive Canadian Tour Event at the Times Colonist Island Savings Open
2011 Time Colonist Island Savings Open – Sunday, June 5, 2011
Uplands Golf Club, Victoria, BC
June 2-5, 2011
Par/Yardage: 35-35-70/6420
Purse: $200,000 ($32,000
Weather: Mainly Sunny. High of 21. Winds 11 km/ph.
Final-Round Leaderboard
JJ Rodriguez, Irapuato, MX 70 – 67-70-65-66 (-13)
Wes Homan, Cincinnati, OH 68-71-64-65 (-11)
Dodge Kemmer, Montana View, CA 69-68-68-65 (-10)
Dustin Ridson, Strathmore, AB 67-69-66-68 (-10)
Andy Matthews, Ada, MI 70-72-66-66 (-6)
Brock Mackenzie, Yakima, WA 72-66-67-69 (-6)
Jae Woo Im, La Mirada, CA 69-68-70-67 (-6)
Jose Rodriguez Recaps His Win at the Times Colonist Island Savings Open
(Victoria, BC., June 5, 2011) – Jose de Jesus Rodriguez of Mexico claimed his second consecutive Canadian Tour win today at the Times Colonist Island Savings Open at Uplands Golf Club in Victoria, BC. The 2011 Mexican PGA Champion rode a hot putter and stuck to his aggressive game plan en route to victory at the picturesque track located in the Oak Bay area of Victoria. With his victory Rodriguez matched 2010 Order of Merit winner Aaron Goldberg as the only player in the last two seasons to win consecutive events and all but assures his spot in this year’s RBC Canadian Open.
“I played extremely well today and it feels great to win this event,” said Rodriguez who went bogey free on his round of 4-under-par 66. “This win means so much to me and gets me closer to my dream of playing on the PGA TOUR,” added the 30-year-old Rodriguez who now leads the Canadian Bursary with 75 pts.
Rodriguez’s aggressive game plan that included hitting driver on all par 4′s and par 5′s proved to be fruitful and pushes his yearly earnings over the $50,000 mark. In addition to the winner’s cheque it gets the Mexican closer to solidifying one of the six exemptions for Canadian Tour players to play in the PGA TOUR’s RBC Canadian Open.
“It’s my dream to play on the PGA TOUR,” said Rodriguez. “I’ve been working hard on my game and especially my short game and it’s really paying off for me,” added Rodriguez.
Canadian Dustin Risdon started the day one shot behind Rodriguez but was unable to catch the agressive Mexican. During his round Risdon knew the tournament was slipping away from him.
“I told DV (Dale Vallely caddie) that we needed to make a move but the putts just weren’t dropping for me today,” said Risdon who finished the tournament tied for third with Dodge Kemmer. “At the end of the day I am happy with how I played and I’m well on my way to accomplishing my goal of getting into the RBC Canadian Open through our Order of Merit,” said Risdon who serenaded the crowd on 18 with a birdie.
Canadian Tour rookie Wes Homan had quite the coming out party at the Times Colonist Island Savings Open. Homan’s 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole proved to be enough to move him into second place alone and earn a cheque for $19,200.
Another rookie, Dodge Kemmer moved up the leaderboard with a final round of 5-under-par 65. Kemmer was the medalist at the California Qualifying School earlier this year and is a product of Standford University.
Up next for the Canadian Tour is the inaugural Western Championship which begins next Thursday June 9, 2011 at Rivershore Golf Links. Please check www.cantour.com for lives scores and stories from Kamloops.
