There was drama on the course – and a little bit off it as well – at West Vancouver’s Capilano Golf and Country Club Aug. 24-25 as John Shin battled through a pair of playoff holes to win the PGA of BC Championship.
The pro from Surrey’s Northview Golf and Country Club topped Royal Colwood Golf Club’s Brady Stead on the second playoff hole to take the title and $6,300 first prize. Shin shot four-under-par 68 in the final round for a 36-hole score of three-under-par to reach the playoff. He then birdied both extra holes to take the win
"It feels amazing," Shin stated in a PGA of BC release. "To birdie the two holes in the playoff and get it done that way is surreal and I'm so excited to finish that way."
That wasn’t the only excitement for Shin – the 38-year-old’s wife was due to deliver the couple’s first baby on Saturday.
"I thought there was a slim chance it could happen today ... I was checking my phone to make sure she wasn't ringing me," said Shin Friday after the win. "It got me thinking about some other things and (to) not get so intense out on the course. It's a win-win for me and it's pretty special."
According to golf reporter Brad Ziemer, Shin and his wife Jariya welcomed a son named Joshua early Saturday morning, less than 12 hours after the tournament wrapped up.
The PGA of BC Championship wasn’t so joyous for North Vancouver star Bryn Parry, who was attempting to tie a record by winning his fourth PGA of BC Championship. Parry shot a 69 in the opening round on Thursday to take the lead heading into the final 18 but he never got to hit a shot on Friday as he was disqualified after it was discovered that he failed to sign his Round 1 scorecard.
North Vancouver resident Dave Zibrik, Parry’s club mate at Point Grey Golf and Country Club, finished third with a score of two-under-par. Jennifer Greggain of Chilliwack Golf Club was the low-scoring female in the tournament, earning her third PGA of BC women’s championship.
