Étienne Papineau, First Quebecer Crowned Champion!

Aidan Gavey (Amateur Champion) and Étienne Papineau (Professional Champion)
Get the complete results – Victoriaville – Fenergic Canada Cup
Victoriaville (Centre-du-Québec), August 20, 2023 – The competition was fierce, but Étienne Papineau resisted and took the opportunity to rewrite the history of the Victoriaville – Fenergic Canada Cup. The Pinegrove golfer became the first Quebecer to win this tournament at the Victoriaville Golf Club.
This was Papineau's first professional victory on Québec soil, two months after his triumph at the Royal Beach Victoria Open in British Columbia.
"I'm really happy, it's been a long week! There were a lot of people around today and that adds to the pressure," admitted the champion. I managed to stay patient, which I'd had more trouble with in the first three rounds. I kept a good attitude and I think that's what enabled me to win. I didn't necessarily bring my best game this week, but I managed it well and came out on top."
The third round of the event concluded in the morning, this Sunday, after being postponed the day before due to weather conditions. Papineau birdied the 18th hole to take the provisional lead, tied at -13 with Ontario's Ryan Curran (Bond Head).
The eventual winner followed up with three consecutive birdies to move ahead of Curran early in the fourth round.
Several players then invited themselves into the race. Ontario's Branson Ferrier, from Vespra Hills, stole the lead from Papineau with an eagle on the 13th hole.
However, the latter had not said his final word. He came back strongly with two birdies, regained the lead, and maintained it for their rest of the day.
"I felt a bit like other players were chasing! I knew towards the end that someone had finished at -16. So, when I reached the last hole, I was a bit nervous! I think it's normal, it's part of the game", said Papineau, who shot a 68 (-4) for the third time this week, taking his overall score to 271 (-17).
Author of a 65 (-7) on Sunday, Ferrier follows close behind at 272, 16 shots under par.
Drew Nesbitt (Braestone), Ryan Curran, and Max Gilbert (St-Georges) tied for third place with a cumulative 274 (-14).
Aidan Gavey Wins the Amateur Division!
Meanwhile, Aidan Gavey earned the Amateur Champion title with a cumulative score of 282 (-6). The Monthill Club representative concluded the tournament with a round of 70 (-2) and finished ahead of Émile Lebrun (Club Laval-sur-le-Lac, 283, -5) by a single shot.
"I had a tougher start this week but got off to a good start today. It was a roller-coaster round, but overall, I'm happy to end my summer this way. I plan to build on it for next year!" shared Gavey, proud of his result.
"I didn't have many expectations today. I just wanted to do my best, there wasn't really any pressure on me!" he added.
A total of $125,000, including $25,000 for the winner, was awarded after the Victoriaville – Fenergic Canada Cup, the largest independent tournament for Canadian professional golfers from the tours associated with the event: Vancouver Golf Tour, Great Lakes Tour, Toronto Players Tour, East Coast Pro Tour, PGA of Québec, PGA of Canada, and Golf Québec.
While Aidan Gavey ended his season on a high note, his victory gives Étienne Papineau plenty of confidence ahead of the final three PGA TOUR Canada tournaments. Fifth in the PGA TOUR Canada rankings, he will be looking to maintain this position to secure his status on next year’s Korn Ferry Tour.
"I’m going to try to finish strongly! I don’t want to expect too much, but it sure gives me confidence. You never know what's going to happen. I'm going to do everything I can to reach the Korn Ferry Tour, that's my goal between now and the end of the season," he concluded.
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Sources:
Alain Danault
General Manager – Club de golf Victoriaville
819 752-4907, ext. 223
819 552-3266 (cellular)
Élise Paiement
Communications and Events Coordinator – PGA of Québec
(514) 791-6249 (cellular)
Editorial: Sportcom