Rob Cowan Captures Ontario Match Play Championship
Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:38:33
Cowan, who attributes the win to patience and experience, successfully avenged a 2001 Match Play Championship loss to Pemberton in the semifinals. ""I've never been so even-keeled before,"" proclaimed Cowan, the tournaments #3 seed. ""I'm a big fan of this format and [this week] I finally figured out how to play [it].""
The Westmount Golf & Country Club member reckons he probably shot six or seven under par in the six matches it took to capture the championship. ""Rocky Crest (Golf Club) sets up really well for me, especially the back nine,"" said Cowan.
""I really drove the ball well, all week, and was left with a lot of short irons into greens,"" explained Cowan, who had appropriated his father's driver prior to the tournament. Rob's dad, legendary Canadian linkster - Gary Cowan was also known for hitting the golf ball a long way. ""I learned a lot from my dad while caddying for him or watching him play,"" said Cowan.
Cowan, a graduate of Indiana University, led throughout most of today's 36-hole match. He was 2up after nine holes and then extended the margin to 3up after 18 and subsequently 27. The match ended with Cowan winning the 35th hole and earning a 3&1 decision over Pemberton.
Pemberton's chances of repeating were hampered early as a pair of bogeys put him in an early deficit. ""Rob and Brad played steady, if not unspectacular golf for most of the day,"" claimed GAO Tournament Director - Brent McLaughlin. ""The windy conditions dictated how the round would unfold and both played somewhat conservatively, the odd mistake may have been the difference.""
The win marks the first major provincial title for Rob Cowan. As an advisor for Clarica, a position he's held for 14 years, Cowan has retained his amateur status throughout his career. ""My dad and I won both the 1982 Father & Son and Better Ball Championships, this though is my first major win.""
Gary Cowan has nine Ontario Amateur wins, one Canadian Amateur victory and two U.S. Amateur titles to his credit. In 2000, the RCGA, in an interactive poll conducted throughout Canada, named Cowan 'Canada's Male Amateur Golfer of the Century.'
FINAL
#3 Rob Cowan (Westmount G&CC) defeated #1 Brad Pemberton (Dalewood G&CC)
3&1
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