AMHERST, N.S. — Thomas Keddy kept things simple and held off a late charge from perennial champion Kevin Dugas to win the pro division at the Amherst Open on Thursday.
Keddy, who had six birdies on Wednesday, added two more during the second round to finish at 138, one stroke ahead of Dugas from the Links at Montague.
Dugas was on fire during the back nine with four birdies including on the 17th and 18th holes, but finished just short at 139.
“It’s always fun playing with Kevin, he’s such a professional and he’s won this tournament so many times,” Keddy, the pro at Maplewood in Moncton, said. “As I embark on this second half of my life, coming home, I hope to stamp my name on some trophies. It would be nice to do as many times as he has.”
Keddy was complimentary of the course and Amherst club champion Tom Burge, who he golfed with during the opening round.
“Tom Burge showed me so much about the golf club yesterday. You have to be pretty solid off the tee. You could be aggressive, but knowing not to go long on some of the approaches,” he said. “I had a really good first day, but it was a bit of a struggle the rest of the way.
“It’s nice to finally win won. I’ve been the final group several times this year but always fell a little short” he said.
Keddy thanked his supporters including the Rasmussen family that brought him to Maplewood as well as Canadian Tire and Calloway Golf.
Brad Currin of Avon Valley was third with a 141 and Alex Jewers of Golftown was fourth at 147, former Amherst club pro Steven Toombs was fifth at 148 and Jean Mainville of Moncton was sixth at 150.
In the amateur division, Stu Lenehan of Grandview sunk a 30-foot put during the second playoff hole to edge Chris Topshee of Paragon to claim the championship. Both finished the two rounds at 143 and were still tied after the first playoff hole.
Topshee’s approach landed behind the green while Lenehan’s shot landed near the middle of the green. Topshee’s put got caught up on the fringe while Lenehan, who said he was just trying to get it close, made the perfect put.
“It went very well,” Lenehan said. “Not playing here before, I found the course very fun to play. The greens were tricky and fast. It was good to make a long one on the last one. I was playing against a good buddy of mine. I said to Chris at the first tee let’s have fun and I think we did.”
Tophsee took first gross honours in Division 1 with Amherst’s Tom Burge winning second gross at 147, while Matt Layden was third, Tim Yorke was fourth, Gary Carter Jr. was fifth and Brodie Ward was sixth.
Low net honours went to Conrad Gautreau at 138, with Gary Carter Sr. finishing second at 141. Brad Black at 144 was third, Mitch Campbell was fourth, Remi Comeau was fifth and Mark Gould was sixth.
In Division 2, low gross honours went to Brian Black at 158 while second gross was Paul Clark, third gross was Ryan Oake, fourth gross was Ken Parrell, fifth gross was Bruce Hebert and sixth gross was Craig Yeo.
Low net honours went to Todd Newell at 143 with Cliff Lowery Jr. placing second at 146, Kevin Patriquin was third, Steve Matthews was fourth, Jim Cormier was fifth and Matt Brophy was sixth.
The third division saw Jim McNutt win low gross honours at 159, Darrin Fletcher was second at 165, Grant Lewis was third, Peter McCabe was fourth, Rob Gogan was fifth and Barry MacKay sixth. Low net honours went to Jeff Davidson at 137, Ryan Doucette was second at 143, Carson Thompson was third, Mike Dawson fourth, Wayne Hurley fifth and Eric Richards sixth.
Troy Dowe took low gross honours in the fourth division at 174 while Ryan Arbing was second at 175, Jeremy White was third, Cayne Amos was fourth, Jim Burbine fifth and Brandon LeBlanc sixth.
Tim Kinnear’s 143 earned him low net honours in the fourth division while Lee Gilbert was second at 145, Don MacLean was third, Don Smith was fourth, Bill Murphy fifth and Murray MacKay sixth.