Shuswap National battles through tough conditions to take PGA Scramble presented by BMW National Final lead
Longtime team posts 106.8 total through 36 holes at Cabot Cliffs (second round gross 63 following opening-round 61)
Content from the event available here
After nearly a decade of trying to qualify together, the Shuswap National team has put itself in prime position to capture the PGA Scramble presented by BMW National Final.
Luke Ghostkeeper, Rob Shanks, Marlena Anderson, Zac Scott and PGA of Canada Professional Dave Munn combined for a two-round total of 106.8 to move into the lead following Monday’s second round at Cabot Cliffs.
But taking the top spot was anything but easy.
With gusts reaching as high as 70 km/h, the second round presented a completely different challenge from Sunday’s opening day, with the exposed layout at Cabot Cliffs testing every part of the field’s game.
For Shuswap National, the key was sticking to a plan they know well.
“I think we stuck to our game plan, and we had Marlena get those drives out there so we can just keep hitting those long, big bombs out there like we normally do,” Ghostkeeper said.
That strategy helped the team post a second-round score of 54.2 (63 gross) and move to 35.2 under par for the championship.
Leaders:
1. Shuswap National — 106.8 (-35.2)
Luke Ghostkeeper, Rob Shanks, Marlena Anderson, Zac Scott, Dave Munn
2. Ponoka Golf Club — 108.1 (-33.9)
Austin Jacobson, Lauren Jacobson, Kellyn Pritchard, Chase Staldeker, Logan Hill
3. Rosemere Fontainebleau — 110.7 (-31.3)
Jacques Demers, Carlos Le Houx, Sebastien Simard, Jean-Christophe Benny, Gregg Cuthill
The full leaderboard can be found here.
Yesterday’s leaders from Ponoka Golf Club remain firmly in contention, sitting just 2.3 strokes behind Shuswap National heading into the final round.
For Shuswap, however, Monday’s round was about more than simply climbing the leaderboard. It was another step in a journey that began almost 10 years ago for Ghostkeeper and Scott.
“Zach and I have been trying for about ten years. Rob's been part of our group for about five years. And then Marlena has been a part of our group for about two years,” Ghostkeeper said.
The group’s connections run deep. Ghostkeeper and Anderson are spouses, Ghostkeeper and Scott work together at the copper Mine, while Shanks and Scott’s wife also work together. Munn, meanwhile, previously worked with Ghostkeeper, helping bring a PGA Professional and skilled player into a group that has grown together over the years.
That familiarity may have been especially valuable on a day when conditions demanded patience and precision.
“Yesterday was amazing. Beautiful weather. And then the cliffs with how windy it is today,” Ghostkeeper said. “The last four holes are just breathtaking. And some of the best golf I've ever, ever seen in my life.”
The team did have a few memorable moments of its own.
Ghostkeeper pointed to an eagle on the 15th hole as a highlight, while Anderson’s driving and the group’s ability to put their drives in the right spots helped establish a strong position early in the round.
“We got our job in early. We were smooth sailing for the last few, without any stress,” Ghostkeeper said.
Now, with 36 holes complete and one final round remaining, Shuswap National has a chance to turn years of attempts into a PGA Scramble National Final championship.
For Ghostkeeper, though, simply making it this far has already delivered a memorable experience.
“I think the trophy is just being here and being surrounded like this,” he said. “This is so well organized.”
And while Ghostkeeper was quick to appreciate the moment, he admitted the opportunity to actually lift the trophy would mean something special.
“The actual trophy would be something else,” he said. “But we’re very lucky where we are now.”
One more round at Cabot Links will determine whether that opportunity becomes a championship.
The previous night also featured the adidas Putting Contest, where the Wieners (yes, you read that right), claimed the win. You will want to check that out here.