The Canadian Tour season wraps up next week with the Great Waterway Classic in Gananoque, Ont., and there is a lot on the line for Victoria's Cory Renfrew.
The 26-year-old Renfrew currently sits in third place in the Order of Merit (money leaders) and only the top two finishers receive an exemption from the first round of PGA Qualifying School.
Renfrew has made the cut in six of the seven events and he has earned $40,036.71. The money leader is Matt Hill from Forest, Ont., with $47,350, while Michael Gligic from Burlington, Ont., is second at $41,850.
"I will be going to the last event and hopefully I will be on my game so I can secure one of the top two spots,'' said Renfrew on Wednesday as he was preparing to play in the three-day Vancouver Open at Langara and McLeery. "On the Canadian Tour, the payouts are very top heavy. You have to be in the top five for six to make some decent money.''
Most of Renfrew's winnings have come from two events - the sa国际传媒 Island Savings Open at Uplands Golf Club and the Syncrude Boreal Open at Fort McMurray.
Renfrew finished in a tie for second place at Uplands, earning $11,700, while he won in Fort McMurray, cashing a cheque for $24,000.
In Fort McMurray, Renfrew fired a course-record 63 (9-under) during the final round to force a fourhole playoff with Hill. Renfrew birdied the fourth hole for the victory.
"This has been a learning year for me,'' said Renfrew. "I have proved that I can earn some money on this tour. But, this isn't amateur or junior golf as these guys are doing it for a living. This year has shown me just how much work and dedication is required to be consistent. You also have to be very disciplined. Planning and preparation are also very important. It was frustrating when I did miss the cut and you just have to believe that what you are doing is right.
"When I didn't win the TC Open [he had a threeshot lead entering the final round], I was disappointed that I couldn't pull it off in front of the home fans. But, I wasn't down at all. I took nothing but positives out of that event and that probably helped me to win in Fort McMurray. Playing in front of so many people in Victoria who were supporting me was a really good experience.''
Renfrew said he plans on playing golf as this level or higher for several more years.
"I have no plans to do anything else. I want to give it my all for as long as I can.''
After the Great Waterway Classic, Renfrew would like to play in a few more tournaments to prepare for either the first or second stage of PGA Q-School. Renfrew has already registered for the first stage in October in Beaumont, California, but he could bypass it with a great result next week.
