Keith Newton of Olds got off to a good start at the Alberta Mid-Amateur Championship, coming in with a two-day 149 total, until the third windy and rainy day of the golf tournament where he shot a 78.
Newton finished with a 54-hole total of 227 (+11), good for a tie for 22nd place at the Desert Blume Golf Club in Medicine Hat. The tournament took place from June 11 to 13. Newton finished with 39 pars, tops in the field of 120 players who started the tournament.
“I was actually pretty pleased with the way I played,” he said. “The first day I didn't hit it very well, but I chipped and putted, and the next two days I hit it a little better and didn't make as many putts. It's always fun to play in those kinds of tournaments.”
Newton said on the final day, rain and wind made play difficult.
“I was in the hunt actually for two days, and then the third day, bogeyed three of the first six holes and just never recovered from that,” he said.
Newton has played in the tournament several times in the past, finishing in the top 10 once.
“I used to play a lot more golf. I used to practise a lot more, too,” he said.
Robert Wesseen, also of Olds, missed the cut after the second day, shooting a 36-hole total of 167. The top 59 players and ties made it to the third day.
The tournament was open to men aged 40 and older with handicaps of 5.9 or less.
