Kris Yardley closed a three-shot gap on Andrew Robb to storm back and capture the 2013 Men's Mid-Amateur Championship at Abbotsford's Ledgeview Golf Club.
The South Delta secondary graduate and one-time Beach Grove junior standout started his final round not the way he had wanted to, carding two consecutive bogeys. However, his resiliency on the par 70, 6,131 yard layout proved to be the deciding factor as he was able to get his final round back to even-par 70 and post a 212 total (69-73-70), one clear of the field.
Andrew Robb started the day three strokes ahead of Yardley, only to give all of them back after a double bogey seven on the difficult par-5 476 yard 5th hole.
Yardley was able to birdie the hole, making it an even race from that point on.
"I just wanted to come out and have fun. Bogeys and birdies, it really doesn't matter what we are shooting. We are out here for a good time," stated Yardley.
"I was able to capitalize on a few good shots after a poor start. Until I got to number 12, and made a bogey. I hit a couple bad shots back-to-back and ended up making a double bogey on 13. I ended up going from having a lead to having to come from behind."
And come from behind he did. Yardley would par holes 14 through 16 and after a bogey by Robb on 16, he would make birdie on the par-3 17th hole, giving himself a one-shot cushion in what he described as "pretty much the difference coming in."
After witnessing a Robb birdie attempt slide wide of the cup, Yardley would two-putt from eight feet and tap in for the win with a big smile on his face.
He will be representing B.C. at the Canadian Mid-Amateur, slated for Sept. 3-6 at the Blackhawk Golf Club in Spruce Grove, AB.
