Graham Cooke Wins Canadian Mid-Amateur

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:44:09

"Halifax, NS - Six-time and defending champion Graham Cooke of Hudson, QC continued his reign as mid-amateur champion by defeating provincial teammate Peter Malo of Beconsfield, QC 2 and 1 at the 16th Canadian Mid-Amateur Championship conducted by the Royal Canadian Golf Association and hosted by the New Ashburn Golf Club in Halifax, NS.

Showers and strong winds at the start of Sunday's final match didn't thwart Cooke. He started off strong, making a birdie right off the bat and going 1-up after one. Malo bogeyed the fourth hole to hand Cooke a 2-up advantage but he got it back when Cooke missed a three-and-a-half-foot putt for par on the next hole.

The match was back and forth from that point. Cooke claimed a victory on the sixth hole, but Malo came back with a birdie on the ninth. After ten holes, the match was all square. Cooke went to 1-up after Malo three-putted the 14th hole. The pair continued with Cooke 1 up until Malo pulled his drive on the 17th tee. Malo said he knew, at that point, that the match was over.

"I hit the ball hard because I knew I could get on the green in two. The ball went hard-right into the trees. I knew right then that a six was the best I could make on the hole. I also knew that Cooke wouldn't make a six. I played through, knowing I was finished," said Malo.

Cooke admitted that until Malo's tee shot on the 17th, the match could have gone either way.

"This was one of the toughest mid-amateur matches I've ever played. It was a quality match with a lot of good shots coming from both of us. I could have lost to Peter [Malo] and it would have been very acceptable. The 17th hole is Peter's hole; he has the strength to get from tee to green in two. He gave me a break on the hole. He's a great player," said Cooke of his long-time friend and competitor.

One of Canada's most renowned golf course designers, Cooke is already making plans to defend his title at the 2003 Canadian Mid-Amateur Championship to be held at the Royal Regina Golf Club in Regina, SK.

"I will be working on what is to be one of my finest courses in nearby Saskatoon around the same time as next year's mid-amateur championship. So there's a really good chance I'll make it out and give Peter another shot at me," said Cooke.

Cooke is also the defending senior champion. Next month he'll defend that title at the 41st Canadian Senior Championship at the Sherbrooke Golf & Country Club in Sherbrooke, QC.

Final Match Play Results:
Graham Cooke, Hudson, QC (9) def. Peter Malo, Beaconsfield, QC (7) 2 and 1
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