Moniz, Kerfoot, Knight Rain Birdies at Wet Deer Creek
October 5th, 2021
It was cold, dark, and rainy for the 2021 Fall Scramble at Deer Creek Golf Clubs in Ajax, Ontario.
However, stepping inside the pavilion where the PGA of Ontario, Greenside Social, and Deer Creek had set up their individual stands, you wouldn't have known the weather outside was as poor as it was - everyone was enjoying their conversation, an ice-cold Greenside, a meal, and ultimately, each other.
That was the beauty of the 2021 Fall Scramble, the last major tournament of the 2021 season.
TEAMS COME FROM ALL OVER ONTARIO
"It's great to see people that we don't usually see at PGA of Ontario tournaments come out for this one," explained Executive Director Melanie van der Hoop. "It’s a team event designed to attract a different crowd and encourage a fun, inclusive, and memorable experience to close out the season," she added.
The field for the 2021 Fall Scramble consisted of 35 teams from all over Ontario battling in pairings of six in a best-ball scramble format.
But that didn't stop stroke-play tournament regulars like Danny King (Performance Academy at Magna), 2021 Player of the Year David Sheman (Emerald Hills Golf Club), and even President Michael Moniz (Maple Downs Golf and Country Club) from making the trip to Ajax for the tournament.
CONDITIONS SHADOWED OVER BY FUN
In a game of give-and-take, where some might be best suited for hitting bombs off the tee, while others might be best at hitting 60-foot putts for eagle, we saw it all in the one-day event.
"Despite the course being in great shape, it's slow today with the rain," said Jakob Montemurro (Oak Gables Golf and Country Club) as he watched his partner, 2020 Player of the Year Championship winner, Jake McNulty (Oshawa Golf Club), tee-off on the diamond rotation. "You just got to adjust your game," he added.
"I think in a best-ball scenario you can lean on each other's strengths, and when the course is performing like it did today, that is incredibly important to posting a good score," said Michael Moniz.
The team of Michael Moniz, Brad Kerfoot (Maple Downs Golf and Country Club), and Adam Knight (Pure Impact Golf Academy) were middle of the pack teeing-off and had no idea what the other scores were before coming to the scoring table.
"Because the scramble is a lot more friendly and social than some other tournaments, we really just wanted to get out there and have some fun," he added, his teammates smiling as he answered.
Before the team of Moniz, Kerfoot, and Knight came to the scoring table, we had one team sitting in the lead at 14-under (57). Everyone knew it was going to be hard to beat an incredible 14 birdie performance, especially, as we looked outside, it began to rain.
"We had a few good holes," laughed Moniz with his team.
Looking at their scorecard, alongside others, even a single par could have cost them the $18,500.00 purse (alongside a few skins).
After birding every hole up to 6, the team parred hole 7.
"We would have liked to score better there, but we knew it was early," said Moniz. "The only real hole we were clenching our teeth was that par 3 (hole 9) we shot par, we didn't want to be going into the back like that, especially on a par 3."
Luck was on their side as they made the turn under-par on 7 out of 9, including an all-important eagle on 13 to win at all.
"Putting was the key today, as it should be for every scramble event," said Moniz. "You are playing against the best players in Ontario, it should be assumed that every player is going to get to the green, set themselves up well, and hit putts," he added.
Their secret? Rely on each other's strengths.
"I was never in doubt that any one of our guys would hit the putts we needed to win, or get us as close as possible to the pin from 150 back," said Adam Knight. "Ultimately we played really good team ball, and I couldn't have asked for better teammates," he added.
Congratulations to Michael Moniz, Brad Kerfoot, and Adam Knight on a great show, and all of our Professionals that participated in our Tournament Program this season.
Those looking for photos from the event will find them on the PGA of Ontario Facebook page.
Check out the PRP Leaderboard as this year’s program is on its final stretch!