Adams in lead Heading into Final Round at Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship

VICTORIA, B.C. – While cold weather conditions at Victoria Golf Club made for a tougher day Saare Adams carded a third-round 69 on Thursday to edge out Garrett Rank for the lead heading into the final day of the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. 

Adams battled it out on his home course, where he happens to also be the tournament chair, playing an up and down round with four bogeys and five birdies. The local golfer was one of only four golfers to score in the red during the third round.

“It was a good round. A little shaky start, butchered the first hole after a good drive and then made another bogey and kind of got into the groove, played better and found my putter,” said the 34-year-old. “I’ve got a good home course advantage. It was a little breezier today, so I think lots of the guys kind of struggled.”

All in all, Adams felt like it was just another round of golf and added, “I’m just trying to have some fun and not make any big numbers.”

Garrett Rank, the 36-hole leader got off to a  rocky start to his round with two consecutive bogeys out of the gate, followed by a birdie and yet another bogey. Rank settled down with 6 pars and a birdie through the first 14 holes, before difficult double bogeys on 15 and 16 saw him finish the day sharing a piece of second.

All hope is not lost for the 30-year-old, who is only one shot behind the lead alongside fellow former Mid-Amateur champion Kevin Carrigan. Carrigan, who started the day in a tie for third, posted an even-par 70 after registering four birdies and four bogeys to sit in second with Rank at 2-under-par 208.

In the over-40 Mid-Master division, Sandy Harper of Nanaimo, B.C. shot 67, the low-round of the day, to tie defending champion Todd Fanning  at 1 under par. 

When asked about how it felt to co-lead the division, Harper just laughed.

“It was a good round. Overall, I hit it well and drove it well and hit a lot of greens,” said the Nanaimo, B.C. native. “I’m just trying for the 60-and-over division.”

Not to be outdone, Fanning added his own sense of humour to the conversation. 

“Sandy played professional golf before I did, so I think our combined ages are probably more than the four other guys in the last two groups,” said the 50-year-old. “I find this golf course keeps you off balance the whole round. Staying patient is important and just understanding that everyone else is going through what you’re going through.”

Derek Meinhart of Mattoon, Ill., rounds out the Mid-Master top-three at 5 over par.

In addition to the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur title, the 2018 champion will receive an exemption into the 2019 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. 

NOTE TO MEDIA: Click here to download images from Thursday’s third round (credit: Golf Canada).

2018 CANADIAN MEN’S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERS
1. Saare Adams, Victoria, BC, *68-70-69-207 -3
2. Kevin Carrigan, Victoria, BC, *69-69-70-208 -2
2. Garrett Rank, Elmira, ON, *65-68-75-208 -2
4. Todd Fanning, Winnipeg, MB, *69-70-70-209 -1
4. Sandy Harper, Nanaimo, BC, *71-71-67-209 -1
6. Joseph Deraney, Lexington, KY, *69-70-72-211 +1
7. Charles Fitzsimmons, London, ON, *70-72-70-212 +2
8. Jordan Caron, Victoria, BC, *67-69-77-213 +3
9. Chris Moore, Vancouver, BC, *70-74-70-214 +4
9. Ryan Tsang, Thornhill, ON, *72-70-72-214 +4

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Golf Canada annually conducts more than 20 championships nation-wide which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by RBC, Canadian Pacific, Sport Canada, Levelwear, Titleist and FootJoy and Destination B.C. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/competitions.

GOLF CANADA
Golf Canada is the National Sports Federation and governing body for golf in Canada representing 319,000 golfers and 1,400 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s mission is to grow participation, excellence and passion in the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. By investing in the growth of the sport and introducing more participants of all ages to the game, our goal is to be relevant to and respected by all Canadian golf enthusiasts from coast to coast. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.

For more information:

Samantha Sokol
Media and Public Relations
Golf Canada
(t) 905-849-9700 ext. 316
(e) ssokol@golfcanada.ca