VICTORIA PRO NOW TEACHING
Renfrew decides on a stay-at-home golf career
To be around that many people in that atmosphere, I was … obviously nervous. But to pull off a good shot under that pressure, it was pretty sweet.
When it comes to golf galleries, the rowdy atmosphere at the 16th hole of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is rather unique.
That’s one way of putting it. The Par 3 is completely enclosed by grandstands, turning it into a stadium experience with reported galleries in excess of 16,000 fans. Inside its walls, they cheer wildly for those great shots that hug the pin. It resembles the crowds you’d expect to find in a soccer supporter’s section, or at a football or hockey game as opposed to a PGA Tour event.
It’s a cool feeling Victoria’s own Cory Renfrew knows all about.
In 2015, while playing at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, he drained a lengthy birdie chip from off the green, putting his exclamation point on the shot with an emphatic fist pump into the air. The galleries went insane, as they do in those special moments on 16.
“To be around that many people in that atmosphere, I was … obviously nervous. But to pull off a good shot under that pressure, it was pretty sweet,” said Renfrew.
“A bunch of people back home said that (television) coverage had just started and that clip came on, so it was cool to be right at the beginning of that.”
It’s a moment that stands out for Renfrew when thinking back to his days as a touring professional. After earning his Canadian Tour card, he placed third in the order of merit in 2012, a season that included one victory and a second-place finish for him, as well. He’s also played in three PGA Tour events, including the 2012 Canadian Open.
Now 31 years of age, Renfrew has made the decision to focus his golf career in a different direction, essentially choosing not to pursue life on tour. He’s made the transition into instructing, stationed at Cordova Bay Golf Course in Victoria and is involved in member lessons and summer camps.
“I was just kind of getting tired of all the travel, the commitment and the money,” he said. “I just wanted to stay home more, have — I guess you could say — a stay-at-home job. A more formal, normalized day-today stuff versus hotels and flights every week. That was the next step to do that.”
Renfrew was able to play in three Mackenzie Tour events this year, including the second event of the season in Victoria. But as discussions with family members continued over the off-season, he grew increasing more in favour of making a change.
“It was hard at first. Obviously I was thinking and wondering what to do,” he said. “But once I talked to my folks and voiced my feelings more, it became more evident to me that I was leaning toward this.
“I … enjoy the competition but over the past few years was enjoying it less and less, and was seeing that on the golf course in performance. I wasn’t having as many top finishes as I did a few years ago. That’s part of it.
“Coming out of college, you’re excited to get out on tour and have fun with the boys and then it kind of fizzles out. I guess it’s time to move on. No need to plug away for several more years and grind and be unhappy.”
As he mentioned, Renfrew still enjoys the competition of playing in tournaments. And it shows.
Playing in the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada this week, Renfrew placed third at the Richmond Country Club, firing a final-round 66 and finishing three shots back of champion MarcEtienne Bussieres. According to the live scoring, Renfrew collected $4,000 for his showing.
He went 11-under par for the final two rounds, with only one bogey in those 36 holes, but just couldn’t gain any ground on the leaders over the final five holes on Wednesday.
Not bad for his inaugural start in this event, as he continues this new journey of his career.
“It’s a nice change,” said Renfrew. “I didn’t want to be travelling as much and this is a good option.
“Better than any other job I can think about, where I’m working away or busting my butt. It’s just kind of cool being at the golf course, playing and practising and being around the game.”