Defending Rileys champs eliminated
Grant Oh and Imran Gulam know just how competitive the Rileys Best Ball is these days.
Last year’s main event champions found out first-hand Saturday when they lost their chance to repeat as kings of the long-running annual golf bracket.
The best-ball match against the 2016 Rileys champs was a backand-fourth grind at Bearspaw Country Club that lasted 24 holes before the hosts, Oh and Gulam, were eliminated by John Deering and Gerry Macdonald of Inglewood Golf Club.
“They ’re class guys, and we knew they were going to be a tough out,” Gulam said of Deering and MacDonald. “They’re great players.”
“It was disappointing, but we knew we were in for a battle,” said Oh of the marathon challenge. "I wouldn’t be surprised if they win it all.
“Just luck of the draw that the past two champions get to face each other in the first round.”
The Rileys prides itself on being as competitive as possible. And nobody can argue that, since only two teams have ever repeated as back-to-back champs in its 44 years. This spring, 92 pairings began the quest for Oh’s and Gulam’s title.
The seniors bracket features 46 teams. Another 48 pairs make up three flights for the women.
“The golf in Calgary seems to be improving every year,” Oh said. “It’s pretty competitive.
But Oh and Gulam are proof that anyone can win. Their victory last season followed a semifinal and quarter-final appearance in previous years.
“We’re probably the shortest, oldest golfers and have the highest handicaps out here,” Gulam, 42, said. “We definitely don’t hit as far as any of the other teams.”
“We’re two old guys — our backs are tight after matches — and our combined height is under 11 feet,” continued the 53-year-old Oh, with a chuckle. “And we’re playing against pros and others in their 20s.
“But they couldn’t beat the Smurfs last year,” said Oh, referring to their run in 2017 that was highlighted by their penchant for sporting blue for the matches. “We would grind them to death. It’s our modus operandi — they look at us and say, ‘No, you’re not beating us.’”
The Rileys is the longest running challenge of its kind in Canada. And it’s Alberta’s largest sanctioned tournament of its kind.
It encompasses 36 Calgary Golf Association affiliated golf clubs and in excess of 400 of Calgary’s top professional and amateur golfers and, since 1986, has also included a ladies event.
“Forty-four years, big tradition, best players that Calgary has ever produced are on the trophy for the main event. Hall-of-famers like (Bob) Wylie and (Doug) Silverberg,” said Calgary Golf Association vice-president Jim Finney. “Biggest thing is just the tradition. Any tournament that’s around for 44 years, you’re going to have immediate credibility.
“It’s unique,” said Finney. “You get four guys going out there with no strokes given — it’s straight up — so it’s the purest form of golf, as Ben Hogan once said.
“And it’s the official kickoff to the competitive golf season in Calgary.”
The Rileys winners will be crowned on Championship Sunday on July 8 at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club.
CHIP SHOTS
Calgary’s Tyson Turchanski is one step closer to Shinnecock Hills. The 20-year-old successfully advanced to the final stage of 2018 U.S. Open qualifying. He fired a 2-under 70 at a local qualifier last week at Weston in Toronto … Riley Fleming (National Golf Academy Dome) topped the leaderboard at the PGA of Alberta’s Golf Supply House Series opener in Vulcan, finishing his business in 5-under 65.