THUNDER BAY – Chris Gardner narrowly missed out on earning his way into the Staal Foundation Open.
The Dryden-born golfer finished two shots back of top spot earlier this month at the Keg District Open, settling for third, but on Friday was given the third and final local sponsor’s exemption into the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada event.
He’s hoping his good play at the District Open will carry over when he tees off against some of the world’s best up-and-coming golfers next Thursday.
“It’s nothing but momentum, nothing but adrenaline pumping through me,” said Gardner, an assistant pro at Whitewater Golf Club, who as a youngster earned a spot on Manitoba’s junior boy’s golf team.
“Getting back out there with the championship-calibre players that we have here is definitely going to be a privilege and honour.”
Just being in the same field as the touring pros and have the opportunity is more than enough for Gardner, who admitted he’ll be in tough to make the cut, despite the home-course advantage.
“It’s a little bit overwhelming, but at the same time I like the challenge. Being out there and being a part of it is something I’m really looking forward to,” he said.
He’ll be one of at least three locals in the field. Evan DeGrazia won his way in at a Thunder Bay District Golf Association qualifier in June, while former Canadian Tour pro Walter Keating Jr. took the District Open title by one shot over Hank Wilke over the Canada Day weekend to earn a spot.
Tournament director Scott Smth said there remains an outside chance more locals could get last-minute invites should Golf Canada not need both exemptions afforded the organization. There’s also a Monday qualifying event at Fort William Country Club, with 10 spots up for grabs, though no local has qualified in three previous editions of the Staal Foundation Open.
Gardner said course knowledge will provide a slight advantage, but not as much as one might think.
“I’m going to know the course very well, but it’s going to be a completely different course that week,” he said.
“The fairways are speedy. The greens are even speedier. It’s a little bit of a different week and it’s a longer course. Like I said, I’m going to enjoy the course and chalk it up for what it is,” said Gardner, whose junior contingent will provide a ready-made gallery as he makes his way around the golf course.
Tee times will be announced early next week.
Notes: The tournament unveiled the jerseys for the Fountain Tire Summer Classic epic road hockey game, themed in Boston Bruins black and gold for Bobby Orr and white, blue and red for Marc Staal and the New York Rangers. The game is scheduled for Monday at 11 a.m.
