Cooke wins fourth senior golf title

VICTORIA — Graham Cooke is one of the best amateur golfers in Canada for one reason — he knows how to seal the deal.

The 62-year-old Cooke from Hudson, Que., won his second consecutive Canadian senior men’s championship Friday at Gorge Vale Golf Club with a two-shot victory over John Marlow from Kettleby, Ont., and three in front of Frank Van Dornick from Camrose, Alta.

With his win, Cooke claims his 11th national amateur championship title — four senior and seven mid-amateur crowns — breaking late Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Canadian Sports Hall of Fame member Nick Weslock’s record for most events won by a male amateur.

“As you get older, I appreciate these victories more,” said Cooke, after he fired a 1-over-par 73 to finish with an overall total of 286 (2-under).

“Just to be in this position and then being able to win it is very gratifying.”

Cooke started the final round with a three-shot advantage over Marlow. Van Dornick was five back.

Van Dornick, however, made an early charge, going 3-under on the front nine while Cooke carded nine consecutive pars.

“I knew that sooner or later, those guys (Marlow and Van Dornick) would make a run at me,” said Cooke. “Those nine straight pars just weren’t good enough to get the job done. I wasn’t very confident starting the final round because my rhythm was off. Both those guys kept coming at me and I somehow manufactured enough shots to get the win.”

Van Dornick and Cooke both bogeyed No. 10 before Cooke made his shot of the round to set up a birdie on No. 11.

With a wedge in his hands, Cooke put his third shot on the par 5 to within a few feet of the cup.

“That wedge shot on No. 11 got me out of my funk,” said Cooke. “After that shot, I started to feel a little better about my game.”

The victory gives Cooke an exemption into the U.S. Senior Men’s Amateur Championship, Sept. 12-17 at the Beverly Country Club, near Chicago.

“I’m proud to say that I’m the runner-up to the best senior golfer in Canada,” said Marlow. “It was a real pleasure to play with Graham as he was such a gentleman.

“I think that I’m starting to catch a cold or the flu bug as I was a bit dizzy at times during the round. But, that is no excuse as I was beat by a better golfer.”

Van Dornick had a very hot start, but not much would fall for him on the back nine until a short birdie putt on No. 18.

“I knew that I had to come out hard and I had the start that I wanted,” said Van Dornick. “My tee shot on 10 (over the back of the par-3 hole) caught me off guard and then I started playing too defensive. I just didn’t finish like I wanted to and the three putt on No. 13 really hurt.”

Then on No. 17, Van Dornick hit his tee into the water which all but eliminated him.

Victoria Times Colonist

rrauch@tc.canwest.com

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