BATHURST, N.B. – American Brady Exber closed out a strong performance with a final-round 73 (+1) on Friday to claim the 2018 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship at Gowan Brae Golf and Country Club.

Exber held a share of the lead in the opening round and never looked back, extending his advantage to capture a 7-stroke victory and hoist the John Rankin Memorial Trophy. The 62-year-old Las Vegas native finished the 72-hole event at 10 under par (278) ahead of Canadian runner-up Peter Detemple.

“It was just amazing when I made that last putt,” said Exber, who becomes the ninth American to win the Canadian Men’s Senior. “Everybody started clapping, and I looked around, I couldn’t believe how many people were watching.” 

“I was really nervous starting today, because I had a big lead, and I was thinking ‘OK try to not screw this up’ instead of playing the golf course. You can’t win on the first tee you gotta play all the holes.”

The Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame member held a third-round lead of nine strokes, thanks in part to a tournament course record 66 (-6) in the third round. With the victory, Exber adds another trophy to a well-decorated shelf over a stellar amateur golf career throughout the years. Among his many accolades, Exber is nine-time recipient of the Southern Nevada Golf Association Player of the Year Award.

Having played many different Nevada courses over his career, Exber shared high praise for the conditions at Gowan Brae.

“It’s a really fun course, the two nines are very different. If you drive it in the fairway here, you can make some birdies. The hospitality here is fantastic.”

Exber earns an exemption into the 2019 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at the Old Chatham Golf Club in Durham, N.C., from Aug. 24-29, 2019.

He’s also committed to returning to Canada to defend his title at next year’s Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, which will take place Sept. 10-13 at Cedar Brae Golf Club in Scarborough, Ont.

“Absolutely I’m going to defend my title, I’m looking forward to it. I really do look forward to coming to Canada—it’s one of three tournaments in the world for senior amateur golf.” 

Detemple, a Vancouver native currently residing in Lexington Park, Md., couldn’t quite match Exber after the two shared the 18-hole lead. Instead, he was battling 2017 champion Gene Elliott of West Des Moines, Ia., who finished in solo third at 1 under for the tournament, two back of Detemple.

Doug Roxburgh, an honored member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, hung on to capture the Super Senior Division (ages 65+) by two strokes. The Vancouver native finished tied for 11th at 11 over par (299). Quebec’s Michel Roy was in position to win but finished bogey, double-bogey to open the door for Roxburgh.

“It was one my goals and it’s really nice to have accomplished it,” said Roxburgh. “I turned things around and played pretty steady on the back. It was a good day of golf and Michel is just a tremendous player.”

On Wednesday, Team British Columbia captured the inter-provincial team championship with a score of 9 over par. Team Alberta and Team Quebec finished one stroke back with a share of second.

Additional information, including complete scoring info for the 2018 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship can be found here.

VISUAL ASSETS: Media can click here to download final-round photos. Please provide photo credit to Golf Canada. 

2018 CANADIAN MEN’S SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERS

1. Brady Exber, Las Vegas, NV, *71-68-66-73-278 -10

2. Peter Detemple, Lexington Park, MD, *71-71-72-71-285 -3

3. Gene Elliott, West Des Moines, IA, *74-69-71-73-287 -1

4. Jack Hall, Savannah, GA, *75-69-73-71-288 E

5. Ken Griffith, Red Deer, AB, *72-75-74-71-292 +4

6. Mark Brewer, Pickering, ON, *74-77-68-74-293 +5

7. Harry Ferguson, Invermere, BC, *76-74-72-73-295 +7

8. Sandy Harper, Nanaimo, BC, *77-74-72-73-296 +8

8. Norm Bradley, Kelowna, BC, *74-73-74-75-296 +8

10. Larry Cooper, Oakville, ON, *74-74-77-73-298 +10

11. Doug Roxburgh, Vancouver, BC, *74-71-79-75-299 +11

11. David Greenaway, Barrie, ON, *73-73-78-75-299 +11

11. Allen Barber, Yorktown, VA, *72-73-76-78-299 +11

14. David Schultz, Calgary, AB, *73-74-75-78-300 +12

15. Jim Lehman, Minnetonka, MN, *78-75-72-76-301 +13

15. Michel Roy, Québec, QC, *79-74-72-76-301 +13

17. John Festival, Calgary, AB, *76-77-73-76-302 +14

17. Garth Collings, Matlock, MB, *74-76-75-77-302 +14

17. Cameron Hreljac, Bowmanville, ON, *75-73-77-77-302 +14

17. James Gallagher, Yorktown, VA, *74-74-76-78-302 +14

2018 SUPER SENIOR RESULTS

1. Doug Roxburgh, Vancouver, BC, *74-71-79-75-299 +11

2. Michel Roy, Québec, QC, *79-74-72-76-301 +13

3. Frank MacKenzie, Vernon, BC, *77-77-75-75-304 +16

3. Lars Melander, Oakville, ON, *76-74-79-75-304 +16

3. Lance Lundy, Pemberton, BC, *79-71-77-77-304 +16

3. Adélard Collin, Québec, QC, *78-74-81-71-304 +16

7. Claude Pelletier, Donnaconna, QC, *79-76-77-74-306 +18

8. John Gallacher, Burnaby, BC, *79-76-73-79-307 +19

9. Howard Broun, Calgary, AB, *78-78-76-79-311 +23

9. Jim Russell, Calgary, AB, *78-78-79-76-311 +23

11. Kerry Short, Vineland, ON, *82-74-78-80-314 +26
 

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. 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:

Sarah Magyar
Media & Public Relations
Golf Canada
(t) 1-800-263-0009 x 317
(e) smagyar@golfcanada.ca