Our marquee event, the Ontario Zone Championship presented by GOLFTEC was held at Barrie Country Club on July 10th and 11th.
Despite mother nature reeking havoc at times with rain and strong gusts of wind during the second round, the participants enjoyed playing a familiar facility for the fifth time in six years.
Alan McLean from Echo Valley Golf Club captured the championship with two stellar rounds scoring 67 and 68 respectively, winning the title for the second time in three years.
McLean credited his putting for his victory.
"I played real solid, the ball is going where I'm looking, made a few clutch putts and took advantage of the par fives", said McLean. "I did more or less the same formula during the second round, and I didn't have to take too many chances just hit in to the centre of the fairway and greens; that was the key!"
McLean was coming off playing at SentryWorld in Wisconsin for the Senior US Open Championship and used that as motivation to keep his game on track. "I've matured a little, I'm taking what the course gives me instead of forcing the issue, and just feel calm on the golf course".
Last year's winner, David Li Sheman (Emerald Hills Golf Club) tried to make a charge with a low-round day 2 score of 66, but fell three strokes short of McLean.
Li Sheman stated that it was one of his best rounds he's ever played considering the conditions. "I played really well and I find if you hit it solid the wind won't effect your ball too much".
"It could have been better, had a lot of burned edges on some putts but got some good breaks on the back-nine so it evened itself out a bit", added Li Sheman.
Full tournament results below.
