Living Up to the Hype

Billed as the most talented field in recent PGA of Canada national championship history lived up to the hype Tuesday for the first round of the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf.

Nearly 20 players posted sub-par first round scores at The Golf Club at Lora Bay with Carleton Golf & Yacht Club’s Dave McDonald leading the way at 6-under-par 66.

The 33-year-old’s card featured seven birdies and a lone bogey (which came on Lora Bay’s tough opening hole). McDonald credited his ability to find fairways and roll with it with his flat-stick as his keys to success.

“I hit some really good shots, made some nice putts and really just kept the ball in play for the entire day,” McDonald said.

A relative newcomer to the PGA of Canada national championship scene, McDonald admitted he’s entering uncharted waters heading into tomorrow’s second round.

“Honestly, I don’t know what to expect yet because I’ve never been in this position before, so this is all new,” he admitted.

While it’s a new experience for McDonald, it’s business as usual for a number of players like two-time winners Bryn Parry, Mike Belbin and Dustin Risdon who has won just about every event in Alberta this year.

Parry, Risdon and Thomas Keddy all shot 5-under-par 67, while Belbin was part of a group of four players—Michael Gonko, Sonny Michaud and Walter Murray—at 3-under.

Nestled in the Blue Mountains of Thornbury, Ont., the Golf Club at Lora Bay is a dramatic course design dictated by the dynamic forested shoreline of the brilliant Georgian Bay. Lora Bay, which is celebrating its’ 10th anniversary, was co-designed by former world No. 1 Tom Lehman and Tom McBroom and features some of the most unique greens the country.

“You can’t always go with the reads that you see out there on the greens,” Risdon said. “You’ve really just to go with what you feel and make sure you’re paying attention.”

For the full leaderboard and Wednesday’s second round times, CLICK HERE.

The Alberta squad leads the 36-hole Inter-Zone competition (which is compiled of four players on each team representing their respective PGA Zone and is contested over the first two rounds) at 8 under, four shots better than Team Ontario and five better than B.C.

Admittance to the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway is free and spectators are encouraged to attend during championship play.

To follow the PGA Assistants' Championship of Canada presented Callaway Golf online throughout tournament week, visit pgaofcanada.com