Lindsay Bernakevitch held off Mark Strong from the host course to capture the 2015 Cleveland Golf/Srixon Canada PGA of BC Club Professional Championship presented by Club Car at Richmond Country Club.
Heading into Tuesday’s final round with a two stroke lead over Strong and Murray Poje of Tsawwassen Springs Golf Course, at Bernakevitch’s lead fell to just one stroke over the pair at the turn.
However, on the back nine, Bernakevitch recorded three birdies and his lead grew to five shots at one point before settling for a four stroke victory with rounds of 69-71. Strong and Poje shot identical rounds of 71-73. The win was worth $2,700 for the Victoria Golf Club professional. The runners-up earned $1,750 each.
“I just played steady,” Bernakevitch said post-round. “I knew that without a lot of wind today, someone could make a run. But I just tried to keep the ball in play and make greens, and if I made birdies then that was great.
“The greens were tough, about the same difficulty of yesterday. I don’t think I had as many good birdie opportunities today. I put myself in a few interesting spots out there, but the greens here are so true and so smooth, it was a pleasure to play on them.”
Bernakevitch’s win is his second of the 2015 PGA of BC season, as he claimed the Tournament of Champions in May with his amateur playing partner Erik Swinburnson.
