Thiesen wins third Grey Owl title

Jay Thiesen has some elite company at The Grey Owl.

The Russell resident roared back from a three-stroke deficit at the start of the round to win his third title in the 61st annual edition of the 36-hole men’s golf tournament at Clear Lake Golf Course, which is presented by IG Wealth Management. Thiesen is just the fifth player to win three times, the others being Garth Collings (11), Jim Scissons (7), Jimmy Doyle (4) and Jamie Stone (3).

Thiesen fired a bogey-free 69 to finish with a 5-under 139 total after an opening-round 70. That was two strokes clear of St. Charles’ Steven Young (69-72) and Brandon’s Kolby Day (67-74), who both finished at 3 under 141.

“It’s pretty cool, I guess,” the laid-back Thiesen said after receiving the Cactus Jack Wells Memorial Trophy. “It was nice to see Garth out there again playing in the last couple groups there. I don’t know if I’ll be able to catch him. That’ll be pretty tough, but it feels really good.”

Young came out on fire, birdieing four of his first five holes to grab the lead from Day, the 18-hole leader. Young was 4 under on the front and was three strokes ahead of Thiesen with nine to play. Young ran into trouble early on the back, however, bogeying the 12th, 13th and 14th holes, and the two were tied standing on the 15th tee. Thiesen grabbed the lead for the first time with an up-and-down birdie on the par-4 16th and didn’t look back.

“That was one of my best rounds at this tournament,” Thiesen said. “I think I’ve shot 68s, but I went bogey-free today, so it was just a solid round.”

Onanole’s Cal Vanderschuit, who was one shot back of Day going into Sunday, carded a 74 to finish fourth with a 2- under 142 aggregate.

Collings competed in the championship flight once again, finishing sixth overall, and his 72-74—146 total was good enough for a four-shot victory over St. Charles’ Ken Mould (77-73—150) in the Greyer Owl for those age 60 and over. It is Collings’ third Greyer Owl crown.

Brandon Sun sports reporter Thomas Friesen, who was covering the tournament for the paper, captured the Media Flight title in his first Grey Owl appearance. Friesen fired 77-74—151, and his net total of 141 was the best of the 11-player field.

More information and all scores can be found at thegreyowl.ca.

FINAL SCORES
Jay Thiesen, Russell 70-69—139
Steven Young, St. Charles 69-72—141
Kolby Day, Wheat City 67-74—141
Cal Vanderschuit, Onanole 68-74—142