Exhilarating play, humid conditions, and much-needed comradery, a weekend at Royal Oaks Golf Club had it all. 160 of New Brunswick’s most elite competitive golfers gathered at the Rees Jones course to prove their worth in the race for their respective provincial titles.
A variety of weather over the 54-hole competition provided a true test of skill and determination as players competed for the 2020 Golf NB Men’s Amateur Championship, NB Junior Boys Under-19, Under-17, and Under-15 Championship as well as the NB Men’s Mid-Master Championship.
Strategic play, course knowledge, and family motivation would lead to Alex Palmer once again claiming the NB Men’s Amateur & Mid-Amateur Championships. The 2018 Champion would go on to complete his stellar weekend of play on Sunday as he rounded out the championship with a final-round 1-Over Par 73, paired with his opening rounds of 67 and 65, the Riverside member finished the event at a staggering 11-Under Par. Clubmate Darren Roach along with others in the field looked to make a last-minute charge at Palmer and the Championship title however difficult playing conditions would lead to being a critical factor in high scores for players during Sunday’s round. Roach’s final round 2-Over Par 74 would see him finish four strokes behind Palmer as the pair’s known friendly competitive rivalry was once again showcased at one of Golf NB’s Provincial Championships. Justin Richard of Fox Creek placed third after an impressive final round 3-Under Par 69 which brought his tournament total to 4-Under Par. A full field at the 2020 NB Men’s Amateur presented opportunities for young juniors to battle with mature amateur players, newcomers to New Brunswick’s competitive golf scene to get involved, and the perfect birthday gift from a new father to his one-year-old son – a Provincial Championship.
Stu Musgrave of Country Meadows captured the 2020 NB Men’s Mid-Master Championship after winning a playoff on the second hole against Fox Creek’s Remi Comeau. The pair both completed regular play with a total score of 2-Over Par, 218 which led to a playoff for the 2020 Title. The Riverside’s Ed Reevey finished third in the Mid-Master Championship after rounds of 75, 74, 71 saw the past champion finish at 4-Over Par for the 54-Hole Tournament.
JH Sport’s Daniel Kirby closed out on his dominant play in the Under-19 Championship as the Woodstock native proved he was capable of competing within his own division and with some of New Brunswick’s most elite competitors. Kirby captured his first NB Under-19 Championship after an impressive run of play with rounds of 70, 71, and 75. Along with his Under-19 Title, Kirby climbed to the top of the Amateur Division and finished 4th with a tournament total of 216, Even Par. Felix Boucher of Fox Creek was Kirby’s closest competition as the junior recorded a 6-Over Par finish after rounds of 75,73, and 74.
Julien Babineau of Fox Creek was able to maintain his steady play in the third and final round of the 2020 NB Junior Championships. Julien’s final round of 2-Over Par 74 helped secure his first Under-17 Championship as he completed the event with a total score of 9-Over Par, 225. Westfield’s Jack Bailey finished in second place in the division after rounds of 76, 80, 78 to finish at 18-Over Par for the 54-Hole Championship. Rounding out the top three in the Under-17 Division is Moncton Golf & Country Club’s Ethan McFadden who finished 18 strokes behind the leader.
Fox Creek’s Jacob LeBlanc captured the 2020 NB Junior Boys Under-15 Championship after an impressive final round 3-Over Par 75. Finishing at 35 Over Par, 251, Jacob’s final round was enough to propel him to the top of the Under-15 Leaderboard. Morgan Costain of Westfield and Miguel Babineau of Fox Creek both finished T2 and one stroke behind LeBlanc as the pair recorded a tournament total of 36-Over Par 252.
In addition to his 2020 NB Amateur & Mid-Amateur Titles, Alex Palmer captured Golf NB’s
Dormie Workshop Par-3 Challenge. The Par-3 Challenge has been added to Golf NB’s events this season to reward the player who performs the best on the Par-3’s during the course of the championship. Keegan Miller of Hampton & Gage Golf & Curling Club will take home the Dormie Par-3 Challenge for the Junior Boys Division. As the champions of this event’s challenge, each winner will receive a custom prize from Dormie Workshop.
Golf New Brunswick (Golf NB), a not-for-profit organization founded in 1934, is the official governing body for amateur golf in New Brunswick. In January of 2006, the New Brunswick Golf Association (NBGA) officially merged with the New Brunswick Ladies Golf Association (NBLGA), resulting in one united governing body for amateur golf in the province. Programs offered by Golf NB to its 6,800 members include 12 provincial events, rules of golf education, course rating and handicap services, junior golf development programs and member club marketing initiatives.
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