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Andrew Roque from Monterey Park, California, and Victoria s CoryRenfrew did not look like Canadian Tour rookies playing in theirfirst events this week during the Times Colonist Island SavingsOpen. On Sunday at Uplands Golf Club, the 24-year-old Roque wasunstoppable, rattling off seven consecutive birdies on his lastseven holes to win the 29th annual Open by three shots over Renfrewand 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 byMerritt s Roger Sloan during the 2010 Open. This is a relief to win this, Roque said. I put a lot ofpressure on myself to do well. I was under a lot of stress, justlike the final round of qualifying school. If I didn t win this, Ifelt that it would have been a waste of time and money to comehere. When I started rolling on the back nine, before I would hit mytee shot, I knew that I would make a birdie. The seven consecutive birdies fell one short of the Canadian Tourrecord of eight, set by Jason Bohn at the 2002 Texas Challenge. One special guest in Roque s gallery Sunday was his father, whomade a surprise visit from California to watch his son s finalround. Roque s round included 10 birdies and one bogey. I felt if there were more holes out there, I felt that I couldhave shot 60 or lower. During some of the early holes, I was fooled a bit by the windand 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 qualifyingschool in California while Renfrew placed third. This was a magical week for me, said Renfrew, who had a largegallery of hundreds following his every shot. I played very solidand this was a great experience. It was fun having that largegallery 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 moreaggressive with my putter. Renfrew, 26, began the day with a three-shot lead over Lee, JeffRangel of Martinez, California, and Derek Gillespie of Oshawa, Ont.He made the turn with a one-shot advantage before Roque made hischarge. I didn t really do any leaderboard watching until the 14th or15th hole, said Renfrew. I was just trying to make birdies. I never met Andrew [Roque] at qualifying school, but I guess heknows 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 fianc e, Ashley. After playing in the Open, Nate andAshley flew home to complete their Saturday wedding plans. Ashley,a teacher in Des Moines, was Nate s caddy all week. McCoy, who washere on a sponsor s exemption, plans on taking part in theremaining Canadian Tour events. The Victoria Housing Society isthe official charity of the Open. The society received a cheque for$11,019.50. Former University of Victoria Vike Mitch Evaneczcarded a final-round, 4-under 66 to finish at even par 280, whichwas tied for 27th place. Parker Lilly from Uplands, also a UVicgrad, was also at 280. Stu Anderson of Sooke, who will soon bereturning to the Nationwide Tour, was one behind Evanecz and Parkerat 281. Darren Griff of Nanaimo was tied for 65th place at 289(9-over). rrauch@timescolonist.com. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as Greeting Card Stock Paper Manufacturer , Custom Paper Bag Printing Manufacturer for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Custom Paper Bag Printing.
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