Lone New Brunswicker takes on local PGA tournament
Eric Banks of Quispamsis chosen to compete in PGA tournament in Mactaquac
Only one New Brunswicker made it to Mactaquac's PGA event, although 14 tried.
The first round of the PGA Tour Americas Explore N.B. Open got underway at Mactaquac Golf Course, just outside Fredericton, Friday morning.
The start had been delayed by rain on Thursday, but Eric Banks of Quispamsis finally got some PGA action.
The solo New Brunswicker made his PGA Tour Americas debut after appearances on the former PGA Tour Canada, Korn Ferry Tour and an RBC Canadian Open start in 2013.
Banks had a surprise following throughout his round at Mactaquac, with a couple of dozen patrons all pulling for him. His supporters closely followed him down the fairway and offered their applause as he finished up his first 18 holes.
"It was really cool ... I wasn't expecting a gallery, but I've got a lot of support from Saint John and my grandparents lived in Moncton.," said Banks after the round.
"It was really nice to see, and I hit a few good shots for them. So hopefully they'll be back."
Banks shot an up and down round of 69 on Friday, sinking six birdie putts to overcome the four bogeys that came up in the middle of his round.
"Very up and down. It's kind of unusual, typically I keep the scorecard pretty clean ... Just gotta keep making birdies tomorrow and hopefully clean up the bogeys a bit."
He would probably need a "four under" on Saturday to keep playing for a piece of the $225,000 prize pool.
Before the tournament began, West Hills Golf Course in Fredericton hosted a qualifier round featuring 14 New Brunswickers. The day concluded with all 14 falling short of the cut line.
The top eight scores moved on to Mactaquac.
The closest another New Brunswicker came to Mactaquac was Thomas Keddy of Moncton and Corey McMinniman of Fredericton. Both had competitive rounds each shooting 2 under-par.The cut line, however, was 4-under-par.
Banks made it to Mactaquac through a different qualifying path. He received a sponsor exemption from Explore N.B. through an application process.
"I just kind of explained that I'd really like to play here in front of a home crowd ... I'm very glad that they chose me and I hope to make the most of it," he said.
A sponsor exemption is a regular practice in golf. The tournament sponsor, in this case Explore N.B., chooses a limited number of players who would otherwise be ineligible. These players join the field and participate like any other eligible golfer. An example of what makes a good candidate for exemption would be a local or up and coming golfer such as Banks.
Banks is one of four sponsor-exempt players. There were 64 applicants.
Matthew Anderson, the top Canadian on the PGA Tour, played alongside Banks on Friday.
"He really came on strong about three holes in," Banks said. "He hit a really good six iron to a couple feet, and then went on a bit of a tear after that."
Anderson will find himself at the top of the pack tomorrow after an efficient seven under par. He is the number two ranked golfer on the PGA Tour Americas.
Because of Thursday's weather delay, the PGA Tour Americas rules committee announced an 18-hole second round would be played Saturday, and 36 holes would be played on Sunday in order to complete the 72-hole event.
The PGA Tour Americas is a developmental tour that helps golfers improve toward the PGA Tour. The Tour Americas was created this year and is a combination of the former Canadian and Latin American Tours. Canadians Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes have spent time on these tours.
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