Jeff Wiggins returned to the championship podium for a fourth time in this year’s One Club Wonder (OCW) golf championship played on the sumptuous links of the Mountain View Golf Course. Wiggins, who previously attained these lofty heights in 2010, 2016 and 2018, shot a handy 84 for a four-shot victory in the 23rd edition of the revered event.

As the returning champion, he not only gets to hang onto the championship trophy for another year but to wear the famed haute couture yellow sweater that goes to the winner for 365 more days.

It was a testy battle for Wiggins as Barry Davidson, a bit of an aging warhorse, shot an 88 and kept close, sniffing at his rear during the entire event. Wiggins, however, had honed his skills for this moment and was not to be denied. He carded eight pars which proved essential in keeping him just ahead of his persistent opponent throughout the entire afternoon.

Davidson, who pays attention to both his body and equipment, had a lot of answers on this day. He carefully avoided the dangers of dehydration and superbly managed his “goofy club” (a 5 wood that looks like it has been on steroids) as a driver, short iron, wedge, and putter. This continually kept him in Wiggins’ rearview mirror.

Victory, however, was not to be his, and Davidson had to settle for the low net championship on this day. His net 70 score was the third lowest in One Club Wonder history and it led to him having his name engraved on the low net championship trophy for a record fourth time.

There were several tournament veterans who appeared to be in the hunt but that proved to be more a mirage than a serious challenge to the frontrunning studs. The scorer’s tent found them licking their wounds and wondering desolately what might have been. These included Michael Brooks in third place with a score of 91, Derek Wirth fourth at 92 and Gareth Howells, Ron Kulych and Leif Lassen tied for fifth with scores of 93.

On the low net side, four other players joined Davidson in shooting scores under 80. They included the runner up Doug Janzen with a net 77, past low net champions Michael Brooks and Wayne MacNicol with scores of 78 and Darrell Pasloski, a rookie, with a 79.

The tournament experienced some changes this year with seven-time champion Blaine Tessier missing in action (apparently something to do with a chance to golf in Scotland – can we spell (priorities?). There were also others who moved away or missed the day for various flimsy excuses.

Of greater note, however, are a few new participants who pundits have taken note of when making predictions for future tournament contenders. These include the above mentioned Pasloski and Jay Massie, a youngster, whose classic swing netted him four pars and a score of 95 which would have been much better if only he had avoided the hiccups many encountered on the 11th and 12th holes.

For those of a statistical bent, the average gross score was 104 and the average net score was 87. This was an increase in the gross of two strokes but no change in the average net score. The 36 players in the tournament played a total of 648 holes on which 83 pars and four birdies were recorded.

In comparison to the 2018 tournament, this was an increase of 15 pars and a decrease of three birdies. The four birdies in this year’s tournament were scored by Darrell Pasloski and Ron Kulych on #5, Vic Istchenko on #14 and Ken Taylor on #10. Sixty-four per cent of the pars took place on the par-three and par-five holes with 29 on the par threes and 23 on the par fives. The toughest hole on the course was #17, a par 4 where the average score was 6.4 and which has seen only one par recorded on it in the OCW since 2014.

Putting is a central feature of this game with all players struggling to master that art with whatever club they are carrying. The average number of putts per player was 35, which was one more than the mark for the 2018 tournament.

Davidson and Pasloski tied for the fewest number of putts needing only 28, an average of 1.6 putts per hole. Michael Brooks and Dave Griffiths tied for second in this contest with 29 putts apiece. A putt off was conducted between Davidson and Pasloski for the prize for fewest putts. It was won by the more seasoned Davidson amid much razzing of Pasloski’s choice to putt from the left side with a right-handed club.

The OCW Organizing Committee and all participants in the tournament expressed their enthusiastic appreciation to Wirth, the Golf Course Superintendent, and his staff for having provided in 2019 the best course conditions in the history of the Mountain View Golf Club.

The Committee and the OCW also expressed its recognition of and gratitude to Wiggins for the superb service that he has provided to the Mountain View Golf Course and its clientele as the MVGC’s Director of Golf for over a decade.

The very best wishes were extended to Mr. Wiggins for all his future endeavours. Submitted by Nat Stremy