A Calgary golfer used the better-late-than-never philosophy in winning his fifth provincial championship last week.
Wes Heffernan went into the final round of the Alberta Open Sept. 13 at Carnmoney Golf and Country Club east of Okotoks down by seven strokes to Mitch Evanecz.
Heffernan went out and shot a lights-out six-under par 65 in the final round to give him a one-stroke victory over Scott Stiles. Heffernan finished the three-day tournament with a three-under par 210 (73-72-65) while Stiles came in at 211 (71-71-69).
Heffernan gave no early indication on Thursday he was going to make a late charge. He played the front nine of the final round at one-under-par 34. Whatever Heffernan used to energize himself for the back nine, he should bottle and put on the open market.
Heffernan went five under par over the final nine holes. He had three birdies and an eagle-3 on the par 5 12th hole to come in at 31 on the last nine holes.
He needed every bit of his hot streak.
Stiles had five birdies in his final round on Sunday and was in position to at least force a playoff against Heffernan.
However, his run was stalled when he three-putted the 17th hole for a bogey.
Both Heffernan and Stiles birdied the last hole of the tournament, the par 5 18th.
Evanecz faltered on the final day with a 77 to finish tied for fifth.
It was the fifth Alberta Open championship for Heffernan in the last seven years and he picked up $5,000 for his efforts.
Okotoks’ Mitch Fox, a Foothills Composite graduate who golfs out of River’s Edge, finished tied for 25th at 228.
He had a rough opening round of 80 on Sept. 11, but finished with consecutive rounds of 74 for a final score of 228.
High River’s Chris Keating did not make the cut.
It was the seventh consecutive year the tournament was held at Carnmoney. However, in previous years, it was held in May.
Brent Ellenton of Alberta Golf said the decent weather was in indication the move on the calendar was a good one. Previous Alberta Opens had been hampered by wet weather.
He said the fact only three golfers finished under par for the tourney shows Carnmoney is a fair test for the field.
For full results on the Alberta Open go to www.albertagolf.org
