KANATA — 2016 will go down as the year of Pickering’s Christopher Kertsos in the Ontario Senior Men’s division. Kertsos began the season by winning the Senior Men’s Champion of Champions and on Aug. 6, he added the 2016 Investors Group Ontario Senior Men’s Championship to his accomplishments.
Kertsos, 60-years-old from the York Downs Golf & Country Club, mastered The Marshes Golf Club in Kanata, along with the elements, as he capped off his week at two-under (71-72-71-214). Kertsos headed into the final round with a two-shot lead thanks to consistent play in the opening two rounds. He continued to be steady during the final round carding a bogey-free, four-under front nine. He went to the turn with a six-shot lead and would not be denied the title. He finished the back nine three-over to card a final round of one-under (71). In addition, Kertsos also claimed the 60+ Division title.
Afterwards, Kertsos talked about the win and how special this season has been. “This one feels great! It has been a special season. I’ve played well these last three days, I hit the ball really well. If I had putted well, then who knows what I could have shot. I didn’t know how I would feel today, if I would be nervous or calm, but I turned out to be pretty calm and just focused on not making any mistakes. I think I only made one during the entire round.”
Kertsos also spoke about how he was able to master the conditions that made for tough rounds throughout the week. “I didn’t let the conditions affect me. I just played the wind, played my shots and stuck to my game plan. I hit my driver and irons really well all week, which helped.”
Claiming the silver medal was local favorite, Ottawa’s Randy Blondin. Blondin, who is not only a member at the host club of The Marshes, but lives just off the 16th hole, started the day two-shots back in second place. He played a consistent round and finished the day one-over (73). That brought his tournament total to two-over (71-74-73-218).
Rounding out the podium, with the bronze, was Toronto’s Robert Gibson. Gibson, from the Cedar Brae Golf & Country Club, entered the day with a share of third. He would finish the day two-over (74) bringing him to four-over (72-74-74-220) for the championship.
In the 70+ Division, Collingwood’s Brian Jeffery took home the title. Jeffery, from Batteaux Creek Golf Club, held the lead in the division after the first two rounds and capped off the tournament with a five-over (77) during the final round to complete the event at 13-over (80-72-77-229).
In addition to the championships, the top 34 players earned a quota spot for the Canadian Senior Men’s Championship, Sept. 6-9, at Grand Niagara Golf Club. The top three also earn the right to represent Ontario in the team competition at the Canadian Senior Men’s Championship.
In total, 137 players began the competition. For complete tournament information visit the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao16/event/gao1612/index.htm
Golf Ontario would like to thank The Marshes Golf Club, along with their staff and volunteers for hosting the event. Thanks also to title sponsor Investors Group along with the Golf Ontario volunteers for their continued support of golf in the province.
