THE tee boxes at Gleneagles Golf Course will be crowded today for a unique event pitting 10 golfers against each other in a mass start, elimination tournament with cash prizes on the line.
North Vancouver's Bryn Parry, winner of the 2011 Rogers Canada Cup, headlines the VGT Golf West Vancouver Shootout, a joint venture between the District of West Vancouver, Golf West Vancouver and the Vancouver Golf Tour.
All 10 players will begin play on hole number 1 at the same time in one massive group. At the end of the hole the player with the highest score will be eliminated and the remaining nine golfers will move on to hole number 2. If any hole ends with two or more players tied for high score, there will be a pre-designated chip, pitch or putt to break the tie - farthest from the hole will be eliminated.
By the time play reaches the ninth hole only two golfer will remain, battling head-to-head for the championship title and a $1,000 prize. The total purse for the event is $1,750.
Other players teeing it up in the shootout include Vancouver's Ryan Williams, winner of the 2011 West Coast Golf Group Pro-Am; Abbotsford's Brett Webster, the 2011 VGT rookie of the year; James Presnail, head golf pro at Gleneagles; VGT commissioner Fraser Mulholland and Alex Jardine, winner of an open qualifier held at Gleneagles.
"Gleneagles is going to provide a very good test for the VGT's Professionals," stated Mulholland in a release. "The players are already talking about this format and I think we'll see a lot of birdies from this talented group."
"We are looking forward to a great day and some great golf," added district parks manager Dan Henegar. "This will be an opportunity for the residents of our community to come out and see VGT's best professionals play in a fun and entertaining format."
The day begins on the first hole at 3: 30 p.m. with a 45minute clinic put on by some of the VGT professionals. The 10 players will then tee off on hole number 1 at 4: 30 p.m. The event is open to spectators and is free to attend.
