GEORGETOWN, Ont. — It was a spectacular final round for Kitchener, Ont.’s Chris Hemmerich at the Investors Group Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship being contested at the Club at North Halton. Hemmerich entered the day 5-under, two-shots behind leaders and Team Canada teammates Corey Conners of Listowell, Ont. and Richmond Hill, Ont.’s Taylor Pendrith. However, Hemmerich shot an 8-under 63 in the final round and held on for a one-shot win over both Conners and Pendrith.
Hemmerich, 21, lit up the course from the beginning of the final round. He opened the day with birdies on the first two holes to grab a share of the lead. After birdies on holes 5, 7 and 9, Hemmerich sat 5-under for the day when he made the turn. He didn’t let up on the back nine as he drained birdies on Nos. 10, 11 and 13 to drop to 13-under for the tournament. From there he parred the final five holes to enter the clubhouse with the lead, at a tournament total of 271 (-8).
“This really feels awesome,” said Hemmerich after the round. “I had a great support staff with me here this week, from the National Team staff to family and friends, who all came out to watch. It really couldn’t have been drawn up any better.”
One of the things Hemmerich was able to do well during his final round was rebound from sub-par shots. He talked about how he approached those situations.
“In years past I have hit a lot of very bad shots, so I know they are going to happen and when they do you just need to laugh about it,” he explained. “That is really how I approach golf.”
Hemmerich gave full credit to the other members of Team Canada who will join him in representing the province at the inter-provincial event at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship being held August 4-7 at Elmhurst Golf & Country Club and Southwood Golf & Country Club in Winnipeg.
“Every tournament we have entered as a team, at least one of us has been up near the top of the leaderboard,” he added. “It is kind of weird when you are 7-under for the day and still not leading. That just shows how good those boys are.”
For full scoring and other information, click here.