Holmes powers ahead at amateur meet

golf • Evan Holmes is running away with the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship.

Another 4-under 68 on Day 3 extended Holmes’ (Earl Grey Golf and Country Club) lead to nine strokes over Emmett Oh (Bearspaw) and Riley Fleming (Collicutt Siding), who both sit at 2-under for the tournament taking place at Sundre Golf Club.

Holmes, at 11-under, will look to close the book on the title today, giving Earl Grey the Alberta Amateur sweep in 2013. Last week, fellow club member Jocelyn Alford successfully defended her Women’s Alberta Amateur title in a 36-hole event played at her home club.

The day started slow for Holmes, who bogeyed his first hole. However, he would storm back with four birdies in the next eight holes to be 3-under at the turn. Holmes then capped the day with an eagle on the Par 4 330yard finishing hole. It was the second time in three rounds that Holmes has eagled a Par 4; he also turned the trick on No. 9 on Day 1.

Oh shot his way into contention with the best round of the day Thursday. He shot a 67 to get into a tie for second with Fleming — the defending champion — who shot a 4-under 68.

Jesse Galvon (Heritage Pointe) is the only other golfer with a combined score under par. His 1-over 73 on Thursday put him alone in fourth place at a combined 1-under par.