Garagan takes 3rd NOPGA Title

Slow and steady wins the race
Story Provided by Ken Pagan - North Bay Nugget

Or in Dan Garagan's case on a golf course, keeping it in the middle, sticking with the game plan and shooting for par wins the tournament.

The golf pro from Pinewood Park Golf Course won his third consecutive Northern Ontario Professional Golfers Association championship, carding his second consecutive one-under par round of 70 at Osprey Links Golf Course, Monday.

Garagan's two-foot putt for par on No. 18 gave him a two-day total of 140 and a one-stroke victory over David Banks of Within Range Golf Centre in Burlington, Ont.

Banks entered the final round with a one-stroke lead after a two-under par 69 in Sunday's opening round, but a bogey and double-bogey to open the back nine Monday proved the turning point.

I thought if I just played my game, hit it down the middle, and stick with my game plan, I though I'd shoot even par or just under-par and that should do it," Garagan said after the trophy presentations. He (Banks)would have had to make some mistakes and he did."

Case in point--Garagan was steady Eddie in the final round, logging 15 pars, two birdies and just one bogey.

Banks, a former Canadian Tour player, turned in a scorecard that was slightly more erratic -- seven birdies, five pars, four bogeys and a pair of double- bogeys.

While Garagan was down the middle all day, he did find himself in the forest after a wayward drive on No. 13, but after punching out of the bush and hitting a wedge within four feet of the cup, he was able to save par.

Banks responded by posting a double- bogey on No. 14 to give Garagan a three-stroke lead, a big enough cushion to stick with the game plan" all the way to the 19th hole.

Up by two strokes heading into the final hole, Garagan played it safe off the tee with a long 3-iron to set up another safe par, while Banks bombed a 290-yard drive. Banks then drained a 10-foot birdie putt to make things interesting, but Garagan snuffed out the possibility of a playoff by draining his two-footer for par for a third straight NOPGA title.

I think I just get up for this tournament," Garagan said in explaining his three-peat. Everyone shows up and we get a contingent from the south, so it's a great competition. I just get up for playing."

The tournament attracted 28 golf professionals from throughout Northern Ontario, with the prize money in the purse also attracting a few professionals from elsewhere in the province.

Paul Schweyer of Sudbury's Idylwylde finished third with consecutive rounds of 74 for a 148 total.

George Lacko of Sudbury's Pine Grove Golf Course, playing in the final group with Garagan and Banks, finished fourth with a 151 total (71-80).

Jeff Hamilton of the Sault Ste. Marie Golf Club was fifth at 153 (79-74).

The top senior in the field was Sudbury's Sam Yawney of Timberwolf Golf Club, who had a two-day total of 154 (78- 76), good for sixth overall.

The seventh overall finisher, Jerry Roy of Pinewood Park, was also the top associate golf pro, with a two-day total of 155 (80-75).

Results and other pictures are available at Osprey Links Website.

FULL RESULTS BELOW

Overall
1st - Dan Garagan - Pinewood Golf - 70 -70 = 140
2nd - David Banks - Within Range Golf Centre - 69-72 =141
3rd - Paul Schweyer - Idylwylde Golf - 74-74 = 148
4th - George Lacko - Pinegrove Golf - 71-80 = 151
5th - Jeff Hamilton - Sault Golf Club - 79-74 = 153
6th - Sam Yawney - Timberwolf Golf - 78-76 = 154
7th - Jerry Roy - Pinewood Golf - 80 -75 = 155
T8th - Kevin Poole - Ridge at Mantiou - 76 -80 = 156
T8th - Curtis Tammi - Timberwolf Golf - 75-81=156

Senior
1st - Sam Yawney - Timberwolf Golf - 78-76 = 154
2nd - Kevin Poole - Ridge at Manitou - 76 - 80 =156
3rd - Wayne Kirwan - Shelter Valley - 98-86 = 184

Northern Ontario
1st - Dan Garagan - Pinewood Golf - 70-70 = 140
2nd - Paul Schweyer - Idylwylde Golf - 74-74 = 148
3rd - George Lacko - Pinegrove Golf - 71-80 = 154

Apprentice
1st - Jerry Roy - Pinewood Golf - 80 -75 = 155
2nd - Curtis Tammi - Timberwolf Golf - 75-81 = 156
T3rd - Ryan Bastien - Idywylde Golf - 84 - 74 = 158
T3rd - Matt Fagan - North Bay Golf - 81-77 = 158
T3rd - Scott Burns - Timberwolf Golf - 77-81 = 158