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Rain rules Alberta Mens Amateur, forces event to 36 holes

Camrose golfer is the best in the province after last two rounds cancelled
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Andrew Harrison from Camrose stands with the Alberta Mens Amateur trophy after a nearly continuous deluge of rain cut the event to just 36 holes at the links course at Wolf Creek Golf Resort. Image: Alberta Golf

Monsoon-like rain that hit central Alberta put a quick end to the Alberta Mens Amateur championship, handing a Camrose golfer the title.

Andrew Harrison was awarded the trophy for his four-under par score through just 36 holes on the links course at Wolf Creek Golf Resort, following the cancellation of the last two rounds of the event that was to run July 16 to 19.

The course was able to hold up between the first and second rounds with a dumping of rain overnight. However, a storm system complete with a lot of lightning hit the area on the morning of July 18, which caused a four delay in the start of the third round.

While play did resume around noon, it didn’t last long as play was halted just few hours later due to more heavy rain soaking the course. Organizers had hoped to finish the rest of the championship on the final day.

However, they concluded early on that more rain that fell overnight and continued into the Friday would not allow enough time to get all players to compete the full 72 holes. It was then that the tournament was shortened.

“It’s not the way I pictured winning the Alberta Amateur.” said Harrison in a press release.

“I’m really proud of how I played the first two days. It’s awesome, I’ve always wanted to win this one and it’s really cool to get it done.”

Local results

Ponoka native Jared Nicolls, who lives in Chestermere and golfs out of The Winston Golf Club in Calgary, wound up in a tie for fifth at four-over with two others — Calgary’s Logan Carver and Thomas Sluka of Canmore. Nicolls struggled on his former home course in round one, shooting a 77, but stormed back with a two-under 69 in a brighter and warmer second round.

Lacombe’s Brady McKinlay was the next best local, ending up in a seven way tie for 15th at plus-7. Carter Graf from Sylvan Lake, who won the Alberta Junior earlier this month, finished up at plus-8 with nine others, including Red Deer’s Cole Morrison.

Chase Broderson out of Wolk Creek finished the event at plus-9, tied with four other golfers, while Lacombe’s Bobby McKinlay tied with four golfers at plus-14.

Wolf Creek’s Tim Boston and Ponoka’s Liam McKeen both missed the cut and Lacombe’s Tom McKinlay Jr. ended up withdrawing from the event after the second round.