The smile on Brynn Tomie’s face spread from ear to ear.
Having clinched the women’s overall and team titles at the UVic Shootout at Cordova Bay Golf Course on Tuesday afternoon, the 22-year-old fourth-year member of the Vikes was more happy for her brother, Bruce Tomie.
“Man, the Tomies are tearing it up,” Brynn said after hearing of Bruce’s 3-under par 68 that left him tied as the individual men’s champion, along with Ryan Melnychuk of Concordia University in Oregon.
“It’s really cool to see him play well. I love having him out here and I’m so excited for him, almost more so than I am for myself.”
The Bedford, N.S., siblings had a hand in another successful Shootout as the women’s Vikes laid claim to Brynn’s individual honour and a fifth straight team title, defeating Concordia by 28 strokes as a unit.
The men — 2012 team champs — finished two shots back of Concordia in the team event in 2013, but Bruce Tomie, in just his first year at UVic, continues to look strong.
“She’s like that,” Bruce said of Brynn’s excitement for him. “When I won a few times this summer she was so excited, and same when she wins; I’m so pumped for her.
“She played really well this week and although I know she’s not happy about a few aspects with how she played, I think she played great and to win our own tournament is a big deal. It’s nice to win your own tournament.”
Jerry Christiansen of UBC finished third among the men’s individual honours with rounds of 74-69, one shot in arrears of Bruce Tomie’s 68, which was low round for the second day. Tomie finished 73-68 while Melnychuk went 71-70.
Brothers Jamie and Alex Cartwright, of the UVic, both finished at 149 totals, tied for eighth with Matt Harrison of the University of Lethbridge.
In women’s play, Tomie recorded rounds of 74-76 to defeat teammate Emily Nicol (79-74) and Concordia’s Jennifer Gibson (77-76), who both finished three shots back.
Vikes teammates Cari Chow, Michaela Abey and Cassandra Paynter all finished with two-day totals of 158 to help secure the R.W. (Bobby) Ford trophy.
“It’s an amazing result for our girls, it’s our second team win of the year, so it’s a great way to start the season,” said Brynn, who is captain of the women’s team.
“It was a bit of struggle on the front nine for me, but on the back nine I had nine straight pars” she said. “It would have been nice to drop a birdie in there, but I’m happy with it.”
The men travel to San Diego next week, while the women are off and then head to Hawaii the following week.
mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com
Twitter/tc_vicsports
