THUNDER BAY – Hayden Hickey and Chris Gardner could only sit and watch Evan DeGrazia singlehandedly knock them out of contention Sunday at the Mallon’s Play it Again Sports Better Ball Tournament.
DeGrazia, paired with his father John, fired nine birdies on the day, including six straight to start the back nine, en route to a nine-under 63 at Strathcona Golf Course, good for a five-shot win.
It was the second straight year the duo captured the tournament, who were three-under on the front and shot a six-under 30 on the back, the younger DeGrazia lipping out a birdie chance on 18 for a 29.
“I just got to play 27 holes and got to find my rhythm,” said DeGrazia, whose team followed up a seven-under 64 on Saturday at Chapples Golf Course that earned them a share of top spot, tied with Hickey and Gardner entering Round 2.
“Everything just started clicking. I just started hitting my shots and everything was working out for me. I made a nice long one on 11 that kind of really sparked it and then from there it was really pretty easy.”
DeGrazia stuck his approach on 13 to within five feet and drained the birdie, then, after sailing just over the green on 14, chipped in for yet another.
“It was just kind of one of those shots that looked like putting my club under in it. Just in the moment, everything was going well for me, so it was just keeping it going.”
Winning the tournament again with his father by his side made the win that much more special.
“It’s awesome. Back-to-back years with my dad, around Father’s Day, it couldn’t be any better. I’m just really happy that we could get it done today.”
Hickey and Gardner were one-under on the day at the turn, but were no match for their opponent, despite picking up three straight birdies on their second nine.
By then it was just too late and they had to settle for second, one shot up on Jeremy Kirk and Conor Carr, who finished with a two-day, 10-under total of 133.
“It’s crazy, but I've seen it a lot. (Evan and I) play a lot of golf together and it’s just fun to watch. You get caught up in his game before you’re worried about your own shot. We battled today. We weren’t playing amazing, but we were able to grind it out and hit some good shots. But trying to catch a guy like that, it’s just sit back and watch and do what you can.”
Before the COVID-19 shutdown, DeGrazia had earned a six-tournament conditional status on the Mackenzie Tour PGA Tour Canada.
Still, Hickey said he and Gardner, winner of last year’s District Amateur, had their chances, but just didn’t capitalize.
“Overall, we’re happy with the result. Obviously were super happy for Evan and his dad, John with the repeat again this year. We had a lot of fun,” Hickey said.
