With just over three weeks to go, it’s all systems go for the 2016 Bayview Place Island Savings Open presented by Times Colonist.
Local organizers announced Wednesday that a junior pro-am will be held at Cordova Bay Golf Course on May 31. It joins the list of scheduled events for the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada stop, which will officially begin June 2 at Uplands Golf Club.
The Victoria stop is the second event on the tour’s slate, which begins May 26-29 with the Freedom 55 Financial Open at Point Grey in Vancouver.
“Frankly, every year it’s bigger and better, and I can’t see anything but bigger and better for this year, too,” said local organizer Keith Dagg.
“Sponsorship, I sold it out easier than I ever have, which is awesome because it’s now $500,000 to run this thing — so the community is buying in to support it,” Dagg said.
“The turnout for charity last year was the best ever. We raised $36,000 for charity and I expect it to be much the same this year. When you see the calibre of golfer, which we’re currently witnessing in [the tour] qualifying school scores at Crown Isle, it’s phenomenal golf.”
The Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island is the main benefactor of the four-day tournament, which includes such local talent as Cory Renfrew, who will be back after having successful results on the Pepsi and Gateway minor tours south of the border.
“I’m slowly getting back into it,” the 30-year-old said of his return from Arizona. “I don’t want to grind every single day just yet, but get the enjoyment of playing back. With a week and a half or so to go I’ll amp up, maybe go to Vancouver early.
“I’m trying not to put pressure on myself right now, but when it’s game time, I want to be ready to go,” added Renfrew, who will compete in the Battle at The Bear tournament on Sunday and Monday at Bear Mountain Golf Resort.
Dagg looks forward to the community support again this year, as does tour president Jeff Monday.
“The support the community has shown for the Bayview Place Island Savings Open presented by Times Colonist for more than 30 years has been nothing short of tremendous, and we are looking forward to another great event this year,” Monday said in a statement.
The event also includes several Thrifty Foods youth golf clinics.
Twitter/tc_vicsports
