Don't ever count Gudmund Lindbjerg out.
The Port Moody native took home his fourth consecutive B.C. Senior Men's Championship after a thrilling come-from-behind victory at the three-day event, which concluded on Thursday (Aug. 11) at the 麻豆社国产Valley Golf Club (SVGC).
Lindbjerg began the final day of competition four strokes back of the lead but shot a tournament low 69 on Thursday to beat out second place finisher Tony Hatchwell by one stroke.
"I hurt my back during the first round and came close to withdrawing," said the 62-year-old Lindbjerg, who shot an opening round 9-over-par 81. "I decided to stay and grind it out and was able to come back and shoot 71 on day two."
Lindbjerg was tied with Hatchwell heading into the final hole, before Hatchwell bogeyed on his final hole to finish one stroke above Lindbjerg.
"I was excited to play today and I thought a 68 would probably take it," added Lindbjerg. "I struggled a bit on the last two holes because I was feeling the pressure so I was a bit lucky that Tony (Hatchwell) bogeyed."
The top local finisher was Brad Cochlin, who finished tied for 42nd and shot 22 over for the championship.
Brian Avey, the general manager of the SVGC, said it was a good showcase for 麻豆社国产and the course.
"It went really well and the feedback was excellent," he said. "I think one of the more surprising things for me was that quite a few of these fellows hadn't been up the corridor since the highway was done. They were pleasantly surprised with the fact that we've got five courses up here and a beautiful new highway."
Avey said he was impressed by Lindbjerg's play.
"It was incredible," he said. "He shot the lights out on day three when it counted and it's quite remarkable when you think that he shot 81 on day one and then goes down to a 69 on day three."
It's been a busy summer at the SVGC, with the CN Canadian Women's Tour making a stop in May and the recent Senior Men's Championship, and Avey said he's in discussions with Golf Canada to bring other events to the club.
He also shared that the 2014 AAA High School Championships will be coming to the SVGC and said it should be an exciting event.
"Howe Sound Secondary gets an automatic entry and we're going to spend the next three years investing into the high school kids," he said. "We're pretty excited about getting this event and it really fit our strategy as a club."
The Howe Sound Secondary finished the 2011 season with a record of two wins and five losses, and narrowly missed qualifying for the playoffs.
For more information on the SVGC, visit www.squamishvalleygolf.com.
