With the Ogopogo Invitational in his grasp, Garrett Kucher watched both his lead and the 2016 tournament title slip away with a disappointing back nine.
A year later, the Predator Ridge golfer wasn’t going to be denied a second time.
Kucher finished strong with three birdies in the last four holes at the Kelowna Golf and Country Club to claim the 2016 Ogopogo title by two strokes over the Harvest Club’s Keith Martin.
Kucher took charge of the course with his driver, leaving himself with short approaches on several of the longer holes and clout out the round with 5 under par 67.
Following the round, Kucher credited his caddy for picking the correct lines all day. He was also motivated playing in front of his mom and dad and many friends to capture this childhood dream of winning the Ogopogo.
Martin, the 2o12 champ, led the tournament by two shots on the 15th but couldn’t keep pace with Kucher’s three birdies and finished at 4 under par.
The 2012 Champion, Keith Martin playing out of the Harvest Golf Club put up a good challenge as he led the tournament by 2 shots on the 15th tee but when Kucher stepped on the gas and birdied 15, 16, par on 17 and a birdie on 18, Martin could not keep up the pace. Martin finished the tournament with a 54 hole total of 4 under par.
James Casorso of the Kelowna Golf and Country Club, who was also in the hunt in 2016, played a solid final round to finish at 3 under and win the low amateur trophy.
Terry Birkholz of the Fairwinds Golf and Country Club captured the low net trophy with a three round total of 213. Don Brown, playing out of Tower Ranch, captured the low senior trophy.
The next tournament at the KGCC is the Men’s Open on Aug. 26 and 27.