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Corey Eccles and Marlene Desbiens, Mid-Amateur champions

The event, held at Club de golf des Bois-Francs in Princeville, was back on the calendar after a two-year break due to the pandemic.

Marlene Desbiens made sure she did not go unnoticed for the occasion. Nominated as the 2021 Senior Golfer of the Year, the Murray Bay representative finished the event with an overall score of 237 (+18). She was in a good position after nine holes but saw Diane Dolan (Hylands) quietly come back from behind on the course. Desbiens fought back and defeated Dolan by two strokes as they both shot 78 (+5) in the final round.

"It's a success that feels good after a lot of effort. It allows me to believe in what I can achieve. It's a very nice victory for me," said the woman who earned her first title at the Provincial Mid-Amateur Championship.

"I started strong enough to get ahead of my opponents (on Thursday), which made me feel good and ensured that I didn't force my game. The wind was strong, the adrenaline was high, and I didn't want to take any risks. I learned! I should have maintained the pace," added Desbiens wisely.

Seven female golfers took part in the tournament this week. Just weeks after being inducted into the Québec Golf Hall of Fame, Marie-Thérèse Torti (Vallée du Richelieu) placed third. Tied with Desbiens and Jocelyn Smith (Milby) going into the final round, Torti posted a score of 84 (+11) on Thursday to bring her overall score to 243 (+24), four strokes behind Diane Dolan who ranked second. Smith is right behind her in fourth place (244, +25).

"I think a lot of it was mental. We are all girls of the same calibre. You stay focused on your own game and don't worry about the others. That's what I did yesterday and today. I'm very happy," said Marlene Desbiens.

A Victory and a Place at the Canadian Championship

In the men's division, Corey Eccles had his ups and downs in the third and final round. However, his five birdies kept him in the lead with an overall score of 215 (-4). After finishing with rounds of 68 (-4) and 75 (+2) in the previous two rounds, the Montrealer finished one under par on Thursday to be crowned champion.

Only one stroke separated him from Warren Sellors (Windmill Heights Golf and Country Club), who settled for second place despite a final round of 71 (-2). Edouard Hamel (Summerlea), who shot a final round 76 (+3), completed the top-3 at 220 (+1).

"It was very windy, and it was not an easy day. I didn't play very well yesterday (Wednesday) either, but I'm still happy with the result," admitted Corey Eccles. It was very close all day, but I played well on the greens. I putted well all three days and that's what got me the win.”

"With COVID-19 forcing a cancellation of the event for the last two years, I was happy to return to the Provincial Mid-Amateur Championship. It's not a tournament that's easy to win, so I'm really proud and happy that I was able to pull it off this week."

From the 83 who teed off on Tuesday, 31 golfers made the cut and advanced to the third round on Thursday.

Champion of the 2019 edition, the last one to be held before this year, Noah Norton (Whitlock Golf & Country Club) sits in 20th place with a score of 229 (+10).

In addition to capturing the Provincial Mid-Amateur title, Corey Eccles earned his spot in the Canadian Men's Mid-Amateur Championship to be held at Thornhill & CC Golf Club in Ontario from August 23-26.

He will represent Québec with Warren Sellors and Luc Guilbault (Drummondville), who took fourth place this week with a total of 221 (+2).

 

"I'm happy with the week and the organization was great. Now I'm really excited about representing Québec in Thornhill. It makes me very proud," concluded Eccles.

Golf Québec will be at the Mount Bruno Country Club on Monday, June 20, for the Debbie Savoy Morel Cup, the first leg of the Jocelyne Bourassa Series. A commemorative dinner in honour of Jocelyne Bourassa is planned for the occasion.

On the men's side, the Alexander of Tunis will be held on June 27 and 28 at Rideau View. This tournament is the first of the Men's Triple Crown, which also includes the Duke of Kent and the Provincial Amateur Championship.

Many Thanks to Our Partners

In 2022, Golf Québec is proud to count on the collaboration of belairdirect for the presentation of the Men's and Women's Provincial Tours. In addition, the Golf Québec volunteers, referees, and employees will be dressed by adidas throughout the golf season. Competitors will not be forgotten as TaylorMade will supply them with the official TP5 and TP5X golf balls in the main provincial events.

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About Golf Québec – Initiate passions, build dreams

Founded in 1920, Golf Québec is the provincial sport federation whose mission is to increase participation in golf and develop excellence. Some of Golf Québec’s core services include the Golf in Schools Program, First Tee as well as Get Linked initiatives, the Introduction Tour, Junior Golf Development Centres (JGDC), Rules of Golf, World Handicap System, course rating services, Golf Fore the Cure, as well as the Québec Golf Hall of Fame. In addition, Golf Québec conducts regional and provincial championships to bring the local golf enthusiasts to surpass themselves and eventually reach the upper spheres of professional tours. For more information, please visit https://www.golfquebec.org.

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Sources:

François Roy, Assistant Executive Director
Philanthropy, sponsorships, and communications
514 252-3345, ext. 3392; cellular 514 349-4653 – froy@golfquebec.org

Diane Bruneau, Competition Coordinator
514 252-3345, ext. 3395 – Cell.: 514 809-3053 – dbruneau@golfquebec.org

Émilie Bérubé, Marketing, Communications and Business Partnerships Manager
Cell.: 514 463-5229 – eberube@golfquebec.org