Central Albertans were scattered all over the leaderboard until the final shot at the Alberta Men’s Amateur Golf Championship.
In the end, hometown product Michael Valk took home the title in the 54-hole event at the Medicine Hat Golf and Country Club.
Valk shot a stellar six-under-par 65 Thursday, winning the tournament with a nine-under-par overall, five shots clear of Hunter Thompson of Calgary.
First-round leader Chandler McDowell of Springbrook, representing the Red Deer Golf and Country Club charged up the leaderboard with a five-under 66 Thursday. His final round included seven birdies. After a 66 in the opening round, McDowell had a tough second round with a 79.
McDowell finished tied for third with fellow RDGCC member Carter Graf. Graf, from Sylvan Lake, was one-over-par in the final round to end the event at two-under-par.
Cole Bergheim, also representing the RDGCC finished in a tie for 10th, with second-round co-leader Brady McKinlay. The Lacombe product had a tough day Thursday, firing a four-over-par 75 to finish the tournament at one-over. Sylvan Lake’s Logan Graf also had a strong showing, ending the week tied for 16th after a three-over-par round Thursday.
The 2020 Alberta Men’s Open Championship is set for the Wolf Creek Links Course in Pokona from July 28-30. The Alberta Senior Men’s Championship is Aug. 5-7 in Olds.