Chris Bevan captures Chase54 Futures Spring Open
Pictured above: Chris Bevan with Terry Kirkup of Chase54
The PGA of Ontario held their first stroke play event of the season today at the beautiful Flamborough Hills Golf Club and it ended in dramatic fashion. The CHASE54 ‘Futures Tour’ is a four event series open to PGA of Ontario Candidate for Membership’s who are in their first four years in the association. Twenty five of the zones best new professionals took to the course and after eighteen holes there were only two left standing. With two second place Futures Series finishes in his back pocket Chris Bevan was pitted against his longtime friend and college golf teammate Ben McFaul in a sudden death playoff to decide the Futures Spring Open.
“I didn’t think I would be anywhere near the top of the field after my first shot of the day,” McFaul said after the round, “I had an awful shot that resulted in a lost ball. So I was sitting on the first tee and gave the whole field a head start.” McFaul would take his time getting warmed up but when he did, he couldn’t be stopped. After saving par on number seven, he quickly turned things around on the eighth hole, recording an eagle on the short 440 yard par 5, and followed it up with three consecutive birdies and just like that he found himself back in the mix. After an uneventful last few holes McFaul found himself tied, with four birdies and an eagle, at 3-under 69.
Chris Bevan, on the other hand, took a much different route to his 3-under finish. Carding a career high with 10 birdies, including playoff holes, he played at the top of his game from tee to green. “I really just managed to stay out of trouble. I made my shots and was rewarded,” Bevan recounted, “I had one really bad tee shot that cost me a double bogey, but other than that I am really happy with how I hit it.”
After all of the scores were in, Bevan and McFaul looked at each other and cracked a smile, as it was clear they would be squaring off. They have been friends for almost ten years, they played on the same Humber College golf team, and have stayed very close since. “I played my practice round with (Ben) on Sunday,” Bevan said, “There’s really no one else that I would rather play head to head with than him.”
When the dust settled the duo walked off to the tenth hole ready for their head to head. After a pair of birdies on the first playoff hole, it all came down to the short 127 yard par 3. McFaul, still holding onto honour, hit first and landed about 30 feet from the pin. Bevan countered, landing just inside of McFaul looking at an eighteen footer for birdie.
“I knew I was in trouble when (Bevan’s) ball landed where it did. He doesn’t often miss from that distance. I’ve seen him make that putt a million times…and he made it again.”
Bevan won his first CHASE54 Futures Series event and was quick to give advice to his fellow Professionals. “Young Pros need to come and play in the Futures events. These are some of the most fun events on the schedule. What better way to introduce yourself to tournament golf than paying $50 entry fees. For those guys and girls that are trying to play into the association and have made their CFM target score, this is an event that can give them the added experience to push them over the edge when they are teeing it up in the Playing Ability Tests.”
For full results and scorecards from the CHASE54 Futures Spring Open CLICK HERE
