Islanders At The BC Am: The Ones Coming In Hot
The 119th BC Am goes at Storey Creek in Campbell River. Here are the locals to watch plus a complete list of competitors from the island...
The Contenders
The US Am Qualifiers
It’s hard to not see the Victoria golfers who earned spots in the 2021 U.S. Amateur as having a chance to win (shown above). Jackson Rothwell of Victoria GC, who won 2019’s BC Am at Big Sky in Pemberton, shot back-to-back 69s at his home course to medal. Two shots back was fellow Victoria resident James Swan (BC GOLF PLAYERS South Island Region) who is scheduled to compete. Craig Doell, who also finished T2, is not on the current list of competitors.
The Past Champions
Two former B.C. Amateur champions also finished inside the top 10 and will likely contend. Duncan’s Tristan Mandur is the defending BC Am champion having won in Kelowna in 2020. He came solo fourth for the US Am qualifying and is the first alternate to go. Royal Colwood’s Nolan Thoroughgood, who won the title in 2016, finished just one shot behind Mandur and, in a recent conversation, expressed that he feels that he is playing well entering the tournament.
Tristam Mandur Won The BC Amateur In 2020.
The Veterans
We would be remiss not to mention Nanaimo’s Sandy Harper who has basically won everything in BC golf. His titles include the B.C. Junior, the B.C. Amateur, the B.C. Master 40, and the B.C. Senior. Just three years ago, he also came within a shot of taking the Canadian Mid-Masters title at Victoria GC. His local knowledge should stand him in good stead to possibly make some noise. Brian DeBiasio and Greg Koster also call the region home and could get on the leaderboard.
Harper Has Proven That Age Is Not A Barrier To Contending.
Late Breaking
Victoria’s Keaton Gutz shot 3-under 69 in a supplemental qualifier to earn his spot. If you are wondering about the island’s young guns, Billy Bishop and Jeevan Sihota, not teeing it up, it is because both are at the Junior Worlds in San Diego.
See the tournament leaderboard here or use GGID “119THBCAM” on the Golf Genius app (download on App Store or Google Play).
The Complete List of BC Amateur Competitors Residing on Vancouver Island