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Toth’s comeback results in sudden-death playoff victory

Victoria golfer rallies from four shots down to take prestigious Mount Brenton title
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Tournament low net winner Nolan Richardson with Mount Brenton Golf Club pro Jan Best. (Photo submitted)

Mark Valliere entered the second day of the Mount Brenton Golf Club’s men’s amateur tournament with a sizable lead, but Brian Toth closed the gap to force a playoff.

The comeback was completed when Toth, who’s from Victoria, won in sudden death.

Valliere, from Crown Isle, set the pace with a 67, four-under par, during the opening round. He was the only player under par that day.

“Our course, year after year, not too many guys go under par,” said Mount Brenton Golf Club pro Jan Best.

But Toth pulled it off with the same 67 on the second day to pull even. The players traded places shooting 71s in the opposite rounds, ending up with identical 36-hole low gross totals of 138.

“These two guys are both plus handicaps and were the only two guys under par for the tournament,” added Best. “Nobody else was under par which shows how tough our golf course can be set up. Lack of length doesn’t mean that it will be easy.”

The playoff was decided quickly on the first extra hole with a Toth birdie. Toth had his young three-month-old child join him for the festivities and trophy presentation later in the clubhouse for an early introduction to the golf limelight.

The tournament is always the showcase event at Mount Brenton every year, although the entry slipped to 111 players due to conflicts with other competitions and the preparations many were making for the 55+ B.C. Games Sept. 10-14 in Kelowna.

Cash Reumkens from Nanaimo Golf Club, formerly of Mount Brenton and a one-time employee at the course, continued his solid play this year with rounds of 76 and 70 for third place.

Nolan Richardson beat out Mount Brenton’s Ted Valleau on a countback for low net honours after both finished at 134. Ed Mulrooney (135), Dave Winter (138) and Trevor Bradley (138) were next in line in positions three through five, respectively.

Matt Tomandl was the best of the Mount Brenton members in low gross with a 71 and a 79 for a 150 total.

“Lightning threatened the day, but we managed to finish without delays,” Best said of the final round.

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Mount Brenton’s top low gross player Matt Tomandl, left, with pro Jan Best during the men’s amateur tournament presentations. (Photo submitted)
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Low net club member Ted Valleau receives his plaque named in memory of Bob Jansch Sr. From left: Bob Jansch Jr., Carol Jansch, Valleau and pro Jan Best. (Photo submitted)


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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