Jackson Rothwell of Victoria Golf Club continued the Island’s grip on the sa国际传媒 Men’s Amateur Championship as he won the 120th edition Friday on the first playoff hole at Christina Lake.
It was Rothwell’s second sa国际传媒 Amateur crown after also winning the 2019 championship. Rothwell and Tony Li of Vancouver tied atop the leaderboard after four rounds at 15-under 273 with the Islander prevailing on the opening extra hole to lift the Bostock Cup for the second time.
“The first time will always be special,” said the 21-year-old graduate of St. Michaels University School, who is headed in the fall to golf in the NCAA Div. I with the University of San Francisco Dons, after two seasons with NCAA Div. III Babson.
“But it’s just as good the second time around. The course was gettable, so I played it smart this week. Nothing flashy.”
The defending champion from last year at Storey Creek in Campbell River, Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont., did not enter this year. The NCAA Big Ten Michigan State Spartan was based last year at the Team sa国际传媒 training centre on Bear Mountain and so had a Langford address at the time.
Current pro Tristan Mandur of Mill Bay, a Duncan Meadows member out of the NCAA Pac-12 University of Utah Utes, won the 2020 sa国际传媒 Amateur championship in Kelowna, Rothwell was the champion at age 18 in 2019 at Big Sky in Pemberton and Jake DuVall of Uplands won it in 2017 at Morgan Creek in Surrey. Nolan Thoroughgood of Royal Colwood was victorious as a 15-year-old in 2016 at Pheasant Glen in Qualicum Beach before playing in the NCAA Pac-12 for the Oregon State Beavers.
“It must be something in the water,” said Rothwell, of the recent Island string of success.
“We have had some good players come from the Island. It’s been something else and has sure given the Vancouver crowd fits.”
Other Island players to win the sa国际传媒 Amateur were Bryan Toth in 2006, Gordie Scutt in 2000, Darren Griff in 1994, Ed Beauchemin in 1984, Steve Berry in 1981 and Sandy Harper in 1980.
Gavyn Knight of Parksville, third last year, was tied for fifth at 9-under 279. The 19-year-old Islander, the 2021 sa国际传媒 Junior champion, continues as a name to watch.
The seemingly ageless 13-time champion Doug Roxburgh showed he still has it by finishing tied for 11th at 6-under 282.
“I am not going to catch Doug Roxburgh,” said Rothwell.
“But I am proud to win it twice in this era of the college-to-pro golf track.”
Meanwhile, University of Victoria Vikes golfer John Morrow from Delta shot an 8-under 64 on Friday to set the course record at Christina Lake. Morrow finished tied for 13th at 5-under 283.
