P.A. golfer still the champ at Men’s Northern Golf Tournament

Brett Henry wrapped up his golf season on Monday afternoon by defending his championship title at the 96th Northern Men’s Golf Tournament at Cook Municipal Golf Course.

Henry matched up with 2009 winner Martin Ring in the final round of the championship flight. The competition was close throughout the match. Henry was one up through eight holes. He then birdied on 11 to go up by two and a par on 12 gave him a three-hole lead. Ring battled back to tie the score through 16. Henry regained the lead on the 17th hole and a tie on 18 gave him the championship.

“It means a lot because I haven’t really played too much golf this year until I took a week off of work to practise before this tournament,” Henry said of his title defence.

“I thought I’d be somewhere near winning if I at least played my golf the way I know I can, but it’d be a little tougher. I usually practise a lot and I haven’t been lately so it’s a little tougher to pull off.”

Henry said his familiarity with the Cooke course was a competitive advantage. Henry first acquired his club membership when he was 12 years old, exactly half his lifetime ago.

He said the pressure of being the defending champion finally got to him during the final two holes.

“I was two up after 14 and I started thinking a little ahead of wining and I let it go a little bit and gave him an inch and he ended up taking a mile,” he said.

“I played a good hole on 18, so that ended up sealing the deal.”

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And the winners are…

Championship Flight: Brett Henry defeated Martin Ring

Championship Consolation: Shawn Strelau defeated Chris Reid

First Flight: Colin Coben defeated Dave Curniski

First Consolation: Bryan Matkowski defeated Dave Patola

Second Flight: Milt Grolla defeated Ron Stewart

Second Consolation: Matt Kelley defeated Cory Martens

Third Flight: Jeff Whitfield defeated Darren Jenkins

Third Consolation: John Foster defeated Tom Ross

Fourth Flight: Owen Morgan defeated Jamie Harris

Fourth Consolation: Troy Dumont defeated Don Rumberger

Fifth Flight: Patrick Robin defeated Ron Harris

Fifth Consolation: Walter Matkowski defeated James Halliday

Sixth Flight: Duane Friesen defeated Chris Colley

Sixth Consolation: Jim Walker defeated Sheldon Ryma

Longest Drive: Jeff Whitfield

Closest to the Pin: Chris Unger

Low Net winner: Chris Reid, 67 strokes

Low Qualifier winner: Brett Henry, 68 strokes