Coca-Cola Men's Classic at St. Marys.

Some of Ontario's Top Male Golfers Applaud Course Conditions.

Article by Pat Payton of the Journal Argus.



Coca-Cola is the title sponsor for the
Men's Classic at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club.

St. Marys, Ontario - Everybody was raving about the great shape of the golf course and the excellent scoring conditions.  But only one golfer managed to break par in the annual Coca-Cola Classic

Men's Invitation held late July at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club.  That golfer was London, Ontario native Zack Faulds, who fired a four-under 68 to win the golf tournament by four shots.

"I hit the driver really well; I hit a lot of fairways today," said London’s Faulds, who had five birdies and one bogey (No. 11) during his 34-34 round.  "I also made some good par saves in the middle of the round, and I played the par 5s extremely well today."

The 32-year-old Faulds was born in Wardsville, Ontario and played his golf as a youngster in St. Thomas, Ontario. He attended the University of Minnesota on a golf scholarship from 1998 to 2002.  Faulds also won the St. Marys Men's Invitation in 1999 as a 20-year-old.

About 90 tee it up:

Approximately 90 golfers competed Saturday in almost perfect weather conditions.  Finishing first in the 'A' Flight (0 to 3 handicap) and second overall was St. Marys Golf member Jim Craigmile; former Invitation winner 2007. Craigmile finished with an even-par 72.  Second overall in the 'A' Flight was another former Invitation winner, Brett Nymeyer, of Stratford, Ontario who carded a 73. "The course was in great shape," Stratford’s Nymeyer said after his round. "They were good scoring conditions today. The greens were soft and they rolled really nice."  Nymeyer, 22, won the Men's Invitation in 2008. He's currently on a golf

scholarship at the University of Nebraska.  Finishing third overall in the 'A' Flight was Rich Parsons (74); the defending men's club champion at St. Marys. Daren Vandenloo (74) and Rod Dench (75), of Ingersoll, Ontario were fourth and fifth, respectively.  Notable St. Marys Golf member mentions include: Kevin Thompson & John McPhail (77), and Bob Hearn (78).

Golf course, greens praised:

Golfers all day praised the condition of the Southwestern Ontario golf course.  "Phenomenal" was the way St. Marys Golf member Eric Henkemens described the golf greens.  "The greens putted really well," said Henkemens who shot a 79. "They also held really well…they were just excellent." 

St. Marys native Ken Harrison also praised the greens.  "The pin placements were tough; they were a challenge today," Harrison said.  “The greens were in great shape for the weather we've had. It was a fun day.  We've been 33 years in Georgetown (Ontario) but St. Marys is still home," he added with a smile.