Jeff Whitfield proudly holds up the trophy that will now include his name. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Golf

Whitfield crowned 2024 Northern Men’s Champion

Aug 6, 2024 | 5:08 AM

Walking up to the 18th hole, Jeff Whitfield had a one shot advantage and roughly 15 minutes later he claimed victory.

On Monday, the Birch Hills resident won this year’s Northern Men’s Amateur Golf Championship at Cooke Municipal Golf Course in Prince Albert. He told paNOW it felt really good to win one of the province’s oldest match play golf tournaments.

‘There’s some good names on the trophy, so a lot of people will be asking who Jeff Whitfield is,” he joked.

Whitfield narrowly missed this birdie putt on the 18th green. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

After 11 holes, Whitfield was up four but his opponent Jordan Banilevic fought back and made some incredible shots, including a chip from the dirtiest of roughs on the 18th hole that helped him save par. Looking back on how he played, Whitfield said it was his own short game that made the difference.

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“I chipped and putted really, really well. I hit it really well for the most part but I really got it in the hole around the green,” he said.

While better known these days for his skills on the golf course, in 2005 Whitfield won a Memorial Cup Championship as a member of the London Knights hockey team.

Whitfield on 16. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

This year’s tournament featured 112 players and tournament co-chair Martin Ring said there’s room next year for 128. He also acknowledged the great condition of the course.

“Pierre Vezeau and his turf crew have done just a remarkable job once again this year. We had a slow start in the spring, as did everybody, but now we have a course that is second to none in the province,” Ring said.

This year marked the tournament’s 103rd anniversary and Ring, who won it in 2009, has been playing in it for nearly 40 years.

“It means a lot and it’s a very special tournament. Some of the best players in the province come in for this one,” he said. “It’s one of the most renowned tournaments in the province.”

Martin Ring and Darcy Myers make the award presentations. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Final results:

Championship Flight

Jeff Whitfield (champion)

Jordan Banilevic (runner-up)

Championship Flight consolation:

Brent Ryan (winner)

Travis Fehr (runner up)

1st Flight:

Martin Ring (winner)

Andy Zaba ( runner up)

1st flight consolation

Connor Gray (winner)

Greg Swenson (runner up)

2nd flight

Chris Reid (winner)

Kyle Schneider (runner up)

2nd flight consolation

Bruce Ede (winner)

Rick Genest (runner up)

3rd flight

DJ Sayese (winner)

Bill Cannon (runner up)

3rd flight consolation

Chad Grigo (winner)

Dan Oliynyk (runner up)

4th flight

Andrew Kutnikoff (winner)

Kyle Dopko (runner up)

4th flight consolation

Jeff McKeand (winner)

Dylan Wicks (runner up)

5th flight

Jordan Biggins (winner)

Jakob Tournier (runner up)

5th flight consolation

Brady Wilyman (winner)

Sam Kuperis (runner up)

6th flight

Shaquile Sanderson (winner)

Ty Jaeger (runner up)

6th flight consolation

Rene Quintal (winner)

Riehard Skopyk (runner up)

—

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell