Playoff decides winner of golf championship in Neepawa

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Playoff decides winner of golf championship in Neepawa

Details: Published on Monday, August 10, 2015

(L to R) Senior Champion - Mike Martin, Lisa Andersen of Golf Manitoba, Amateur Champion Wade Wetelainen and Junior Champion Stefan Lavalle

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Banner

Wade Wetelainen saved his best effort for when it mattered the most during the Men’s Rural Golf Championship, held at the Neepawa Golf and Country Club (NGCC) on Aug 8-9. The 23-year-old from Dryden shot a 3-under round of 69 on the final day of competition to come from behind and send the event to sudden death.

In a one hole playoff, he was able to defeat Stefan Lavalle of the Links at Quarry Oaks and Stacy Genaille of the Swan River Golf and Country Club, to claim the Amateur Men’s Championship.

Wetelainen, who was participating in the event through the Golf Manitoba PPC exemption, said after shooting a 4-over par 76 on the first day, he was able to find his game during the final round, especially on the greens.

“I didn’t put my best effort out there on the first day. I just couldn’t putt. It all came together [during round two on Sunday]. I was able to settle down. Started getting a better read on the greens and it just started going my way,” said Wetelainen.

Stacy Genaille and Stefan Lavallee finished the weekend tied for second overall with two-day totals of 145. Josh Neufeld finished fourth at 151, while Mark Kerkowich of the Neepawa Golf and Country Club ended up in fifth, shooting 153 over the 36 holes.

In the Senior Championship category, Mike Martin was the top golfer, with a two round score of 150, while Stefan Lavellee claimed the junior golf title.

Golf Manitoba director of competitions Lisa Andersen said the organization was very happy with how accommodating the representatives and staff from Neepawa Golf and Country Club were. She added that it was a very good weekend.

“The weather was very good, not too hot. The course was excellent. Neepawa was a fantastic place to host this event. All the players just love playing this course. It’s a well maintained course. [It’s] challenging,” noted Andersen. “We had players from all across the province and northern Ontario come out and participate. It was a great level of competition out there.”

Amateur Men Results:

Champion - Wade Wetelainen, Golf MB PPC (by sudden death, 1 hole playoff)

Tied Runner up - Stacy Genaille, Swan River and Stefan Lavallee, The Links at Quarry Oaks

4th- Josh Neufeld, Golf MB PPC

Junior Men Results:

Champion - Stephan Lavellee, The Links at Quarry Oaks

Runner up - Josh Neufeld, Golf MB P P C

17 & 18 Winner - Austin Dobrescu, Shilo

17 & 18 Runner up - Joel Barron, Golf MB P P C

15 & 16 Winner - Chase Dusessoy, Neepawa

15 & 16 Runner up - Derek Baron, Neepawa

13 & 14 Winner - Daly Chartrand, Neepawa