Kevin Kwon of Pitt Meadows carded his third straight two-under-par 70 Friday at the 110th B.C. Amateur golf championships, taking third place at the prestigious tournament, held at Swan-e-set Bay Resort and Country Club.
Kwon finished the tournament at three- under after opening with an uncharacteristic three-over 75.
Kwon’s strong finish means he qualifies as a member of Team B.C. that will be heading to the Canadian men’s amateur championship at both the Camelot Golf and Country Club and Club de golf Outaouais in Cumberland, Ontario August 7 to 10.
Team Canada Development member Riley Fleming of Airdrie, Alta., won the B.C. amateur title, becoming the first non-British Columbian to capture that honour since the sweet-swinging Fred Couples won in 1979.
Playing on a special exemption, the recent Alberta men’s amateur champion came into the final round one stroke back of Victoria’s Kevin Carrigan to win the Bostock Trophy.
Carrigan struggled on the final day, carding a 76 to finish forth overall at two under par.
Fleming’s four-round eight-under, 280 total (69-71-71-69) gave him a three-shot cushion over Rian Jung of Coquitlam at five-under(74-71-68-70).
Kwon did his best to recover from his opening day to climb the leader board and make a run at his Team Canada teammate Fleming.
Kwon took some solace in helping his friend win the tournament. Fleming stayed at the Kwon’s family home throughout the week and thanked them graciously during the prize presentation.
“A special thanks goes to the Kwons for letting me stay with them all week,” said Fleming. “They were so great it felt like I was playing in my own backyard.”
The good-natured Kwon attributed Fleming’s success to a well-balanced meal.
“It must have been the breakfast mom gave him,” joked Kwon after his round.
Duncan Bohlen of Maple Ridge finished the tournament in a tie for 28th overall with a four-round total of 15 over par (73-82-71-77). Jordan Beveridge of Pitt Meadows was in a tie for 57th at 24 over par (78-74-79-81).
Beveridge, Connor O’Dell and Alex Thierman of Maple Ridge missed the cut.