Amherst Golf Club Ready for the 26th Amherst Open
-sponsored by Shoppers Drug Mart and presented by Jazz Golf
The Amherst Open has been a very popular and traditional event for pros and
amateurs for 25 years and is well known for its challenging layout, exceptional
field of competitors and hospitable tournament atmosphere. The event is
sponsored by Shoppers’ Drug Mart and presented by Jazz Golf.
Amherst Golf Club, at 6,350 yards, par 71, is a mature course with a lot of
character. There is a wonderful variety of holes, rolling through the woods and
out in the open, where, depending on the day, you feel at the mercy of the
Tantramar winds, especially on holes 4 through 6 and 11 through 15.
“ The wind really comes into play out there,” remarks host professional Steven
Toombs, “ you have to pay close attention to the club you choose to hit, as your
choice may vary by as many as three or four clubs.”
With no fairway sand traps, Amherst is a course known for having room off the
tee, but always demanding second shot accuracy. You must keep the ball in
position and it’s never good to be long with your approach, especially when the
greens are quick. Toombs has a philosophy that a golf course is only as good as
its greens and he considers the greens, here, the best he has ever played. He
praises course superintendent, Peter McCabe for their outstanding condition.
“Peter is a great guy to work with. He is well liked by the members and he and
his crew do a fantastic job keeping the course in tiptop shape. They take a lot
of pride in their work.”
This
is the 26th year for the Amherst Open, which will take place 26-29 August. On
Monday afternoon the annual shootout will be held, while the pro-am is scheduled
for Tuesday, followed by a dinner. The championship rounds will take place on
Wednesday and Thursday. Special events include a putting contest and the
always-popular long drive contest that is held just in front of the clubhouse
attracting throngs of spectators to the clubhouse deck overlooking the action.
The deck area also favours the spectators with a great view of tee shots on
holes one and ten, which are two of the most intimidating tee shots in Atlantic
Canada. The finishing holes of both nines are also easily viewed from here.
Last year, amateur Kevin Crozier, of Stanhope, captured the open championship
shooting even par 142. Gordie Smith of Oakfield was low professional, with a 146
total.
As far as who may win this year, Toombs, who won low professional honours in
the 2000 event, suggests that former champions Gordie Smith, Kevin Dugas and
Gary Carter along with Lingan pro Stu Musgrave all have a good chance.
“They have all performed well here in the past and have the game this course
demands.”
Kevin Dugas of Country Meadows has won the event seven times. Moncton’s Jim
Baxter, a former Amherst professional, has captured the event on three
occasions. Tom Irwin of Lake Loon won the inaugural Amherst Open in 1977 and
again in 1990. Lorne Jennex of Seaview is also a two-time winner.
In addition to winning the overall title in 2000, amateur Gary Carter, of the
host club, has won the amateur title on six occasions. Another amateur from the
host club, Paul Harrison and Carl Boswick of Ashburn have each captured low
amateur honours on three occasions. Besides Carter and Crozier, the only other
amateur to win “the open” is another Amherst native, Mike Atkinson. Now a
professional in the U.S., Atkinson claimed the title in 1983.
The tournament scoring record and single round record are both held by Dugas.
In 1996 he shot a closing round of 64 for a 135 total and the victory.
The Amherst Open will also be the last chance for the professionals’ to
battle for Tour Championship Points, to identify who will qualify for the added
purse at the Tour Championship at Covered Bridge in September.
Well-organized and successful, with supportive local sponsors, the Amherst
Open has everything that you look for in a great golf tournament - a challenging
course, a strong field, tough competition, and enthusiastic competitors and
spectators.
