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Evan DeGrazia excited to play in second Staal Foundation Open

Evan DeGrazia had no idea he’d be playing in this week’s Staal Foundation Open. In fact, he’d just about given up hope. The Thunder Bay golfer was preparing for a U.S.
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Thunder Bay's Evan DeGrazia practices on Wednesday at Whitewater Golf Club. (Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com)

Evan DeGrazia had no idea he’d be playing in this week’s Staal Foundation Open.

In fact, he’d just about given up hope.

The Thunder Bay golfer was preparing for a U.S. Amateur qualifying event in the Minneapolis area on Monday when he got the call from tournament officials, extending him a last-minute sponsor’s exemption into the field.

DeGrazia, who shot 79-78 and missed the cut in last year’s inaugural Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada event, said it came as a complete surprise.

“I got the email saying good news, I’ve got a spot for you. My whole attitude changed and I said OK, I’ve got to prepare for my second Staal Open and here we are.”

His mother actually made the call to confirm.

The lesson he learned in 2014?

“Don’t get ahead of myself. Stay in the moment. It’s like a broken record, but one shot at a time. But really, that’s what it is,” he said. “Just hit the fat part of the fairway, the fat part of the green and make your putts.”

DeGrazia attends Newberry College in South Carolina, where he led the team with a 74.2 average-per-round, playing in five events last season.

He said he was probably a little more prepared last year, having won a local qualifier weeks ahead of the Whitewater Golf Club tournament.

But, he said on Wednesday during a practice round a day ahead of the start of tournament play, his game has progressed over the past 12 months.

“I think I’m more skilled this year than I was last year. I’ve gotten a lot of practice in over the winter and stuff like that,” he said. “But we’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

DeGrazia was an easy choice when a spot opened up, said tournament executive director Scott Smith.

“It’s great having more local players in the field and an incredible bonus to this event,” Smith said in a release.

“Evan is a young local player who shows great promise. I am certain he will represent his community well.”

DeGrazia will be joined at the Staal Foundation Open by three fellow Lakehead players, a list that includes Water Keating Jr., Jeff Hunter and Robbie Untinen.

DeGrazia tees off in an all-Canadian group at the first hole a 9 a.m. Thursday alongside Zack Kema and J.J. Regan.



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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