St. Catharines Standard e-edition

Mcnish tops leaderboard on home course

Rockway Vineyards member wins final event on Niagara senior tour

Bernd Franke Bernd Franke is a St. Catharinesbased journalist and the regional sports editor for the Standard, Tribune and Review. Reach him via email: bernd.franke@niagaradailies.com

Cam Mcnish used knowledge of his home course to his advantage when the Niagara Senior Men’s Golf Tour wrapped up Monday at Rockway Vineyards.

The 3-handicap golfer carded an even-par 72 for the win and the $250 low-gross payout at the final stop on the five-event tour.

Finishing tied for second, one stroke back, were Derek Divok and Derek Spence, who also play out of the St. Catharines course, and Byran Sonnenberg, from Cherry Hill.

Dave Brennan and Bill Bodfield, both from Rockway Vineyards,

finished with 2-over 74s, as did Ross Eisele, a Cambridge Golf Club member and the 2021 senior tour champion.

Eisele, who won the second event at Bridgewater in Fort Erie, finished the season atop of the standings with 990 points.

Rounding out the top five were Divok, with 849.75 points; Randall Arrowsmith, from Freedom Oaks in Dunnville, with 800; Mcnish, with 765; Sonnenberg, with 758; and Roger Perry, from Cardinal Lakes in Welland, with 747.

Brennan earned $200 for the low net, finishing the round with a 64.

Skins, which were each worth $166, were won by Spence (No. 4), Des Brady, from Cherry Hill (No. 6) and Elmer Kempt, from Rolling Meadows in Niagara Falls (No. 8).

Closest-to-the pin were Brady (No. 3), Spence (No. 6), Mike Putman, from Legends of the Niagara in Niagara Falls (No. 14) and Dan Nywening, from Bridgewater (No. 18).

Monday’s season-ending tour stop was highlighted by a presentation of the award for golfer of the year to Eisele and top golfer 70 and older honours to Perry.

Bodfield, a tour committee member, said the tour’s top golfers will have their names engraved on the Bernie Bodogh Memorial Trophy, which will be on permanent display at Rockway Vineyards.

Bodogh, the winner of a record eight men’s division championships at St. Catharines Golf & Country Club and a two-time Niagara District Champion of Champions senior men’s winner, died in April at age 59. His daughter Samantha Bodogh was on hand Monday to present the inaugural award to Eisele.

As was the case this year, the tour for golfers 55 and older, with handicaps no higher than 15, intends to cap registration at 80 when it returns next spring.

“Everyone on the tour this year will have the first option to join next year before we accept new players,” Bodfield said.

There were no repeat winners on the 2021 tour heading into Monday’s final event. Perry won at Sawmill, Eisele at Bridgewater, public player Fred Karam at Grand Niagara and Divok at Legends.

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2021-09-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://stcatharinesstandard.pressreader.com/article/281835761845200

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