Victoria Golf Club professional Lindsay Bernakevitch won the PGA of BC Championship in dramatic Tuesday in South Surrey at Morgan Creek Golf Course.
Despite the pressure of a missed short putt to clinch the victory on the final hole, the Victoria Golf Club director of golf displayed resilience and poise, triumphing on the first playoff hole against Kevin Stinson and Andy Lin, who tied Bernakevitch at 7-under par after 36 holes. The victory saw Bernakevitch lift the William Thompson Trophy as PGA of BC Champion for a second time, having also won the title in 2011.
After the first day of the two-round tournament, Zach Olson (Chilliwack Golf Club) was the Round One leader with an impressive -6 (6-under 66), but Bernakevitch's combined scorecard of 68, 69 (137) won him the title and the $8,000 first-place purse.
Stinson, the Cheam Mountain Golf Course pro, tied for second place with Pacific Golf Academy's Lin, who also posted totals of 137 each (70, 67 and 68, 69, respectively), winning $4,275 each. Cheam Mountain's Luke Bogdan came in fourth overall, with a 138 scorecard (67, 71), winning $3,100.
“That first hole is one of the trickiest holes out here. I found a swing key on the range Monday, and I was like ‘Just ride it.’ I was focused on my process and that swing thought,” said Bernakevitch. “On the second shot, you couldn’t really feel the wind, but Kevin and Andy both got a little gust and came up short. I ended up switching clubs and just made sure I got it there with a chance to make a putt.”
The Victoria Golf Club pro said he first won the Championship when he was younger and playing a lot more golf.
"It’s really nice to feel like you can still do it. It’s a thrill to play in tournaments. We had such a cool gallery today following us around and we felt special, like we were playing in the big leagues. It’s just a thrill to compete, to play well in competition. There’s nothing like it.”
PGA of BC communications and marketing manager Graham Abraham said the championship is the PGA of BC's flagship tournament with the largest field.
"We have 120 golfers out here, and it's the one tournament where any pro of any level can come out," he explained. "We have assistant pros, we have head professionals, executive professionals – they're all eligible to compete in this tournament."
