Eric Wang of the Valley Golf Centre took another step toward playing in the PGA Tour Canada-Mackenzie Tour’s Bayview Place DC Bank Open, presented by the Times Colonist from June 7-10 at Uplands.
The Order of Merit leader Wang, and pro Steven Lecuyer, tied for the lead with sizzling four-under 67s on Monday in the Bayview Place Vikes Performance Tour event held at Highland Pacific.
Wang made five birdies to one bogey and was in complete control of his game, as was Lecuyer, who is returning from the South Africa Sunshine Tour, and had a bogey-free round while carding four birdies.
Other notable scores included a 68 shot by Royal Colwood’s Kevin Carrigan, maintaining his position among the top three on the Order of Merit. Former PGA Tour Champions player Jim Rutledge of Uplands also shot a 68, while Brent Wilson of Gorge Vale carded a two-over 73.
The top three finishers in the Vikes Performance Tour Order of Merit will earn exemptions into next month’s pro Bayview Place DC Bank Open.
Wang moved up his lead in the Order of Merit standings to 3,050 points. The second spot remains with Carrigan at 2,815 while Wilson hung on to one of those key top-three positions at 2,470. Rounding out the top-five are Rutledge at 2,325 and Robert Greenwell of North Halton, Ont., at 2,085 with Ben Griffin of Uplands sixth at 2,040.
The 11th event of the 12-tournament Vikes Performance Tour is June 2 at Cordova Bay.
Meanwhile, Wang, Lecuyer, Griffin, Carrigan, Wilson and defending-champion Rutledge will join the field for the 55th annual Cedar Hill Open on Saturday and Sunday. Others in the field of 220, including more than 20 professionals, will be Rick Gibson, who began his golf career with Rutledge at the venerable Saanich municipal Cedar Hill course.
Other notables playing include former NCAA Pac-12 University of Washington Huskies player Gordy Scutt, former Canadian Tour Victoria Open [now Bayview Place tournament] champion Paul Devenport, Mark Bicknell, Scott Kral, Jared Callbeck, Blair Sabiston, Tai Reynolds and Steve Swonnell.
“We’ve got some great players participating . . . and the golf course is in excellent condition,” said tournament chairman Paul Mooney.
There is no admission for spectators. Players tee off from the front and back tees both days between 7 and 9 a.m.
