Younger Roth captures elusive Ogopogo title
Cody Roth’s birdie putt on final breaks 3-way tie, helps him hoist trophy
When the final threesome stood together on the 18th tee Saturday evening at the Kelowna Golf & Country Club tied at 8-under-par, it was not unreasonable to assume the 67th edition of the Ogopogo Invitational would be headed for a playoff.
However, Cody Roth of Bellingham, Wash., would account for the group’s only birdie, capping a late rally to win the tournament. In fact, the 22-year-old birdied the last two holes for a final round 71 and a three-day, 9-under-par, 207.
“I’m really excited,” Roth said. “I worked hard. I’ve been coming to this event for a long time. It means a lot.”
With the one-shot victory over James Casorso and Jeremy Osborne, Roth will have his name engraved on a trophy long sought after by both he and his father, Craig. While the new champion resides in the United States, he said he has strong family ties to the Kelowna area.
“My grandparents still live in Kelowna,” Roth said. “Dad grew up playing here at the Kelowna G&CC and my grandfather (Ted) played here, too. We have pictures of me being at this tournament when I was six weeks old, so, we’ve been coming here for a while.”
At the par-5, 18th hole, all three players reached the green in two shots. Roth, from 70 feet, played first and rolled his eagle effort to three feet. He then looked on as Osborne (60 feet) and Casorso (30 feet) both three-putted for par.
“It was a little scary standing over it,” Roth said when asked how he felt stroking his putt for the win.
“It’s tough, you’re shaking, you’ve got adrenaline flowing. It’s different than any other three-footer you hit. I’m glad it went in.”
For Roth, who attends Western Washington University, it would appear there is also some stiff competition on the home front. Just last week, Cody finished one shot behind his father at the Seattle Amateur, where both players earned a top-15 result. At the Ogopogo, the youngster reclaimed bragging rights as Craig posted a 3-under-par 213 to finish eighth.
“I’ve tried to win this for three decades, especially in my hometown,” Craig said. “But it’s just awesome (for Cody). It’s his coming of age. He’s a really good player.”
Casorso (Gallagher’s Canyon) posted a final round 71 to tie for second. Last year, he finished third. It’s a tournament he dearly wants to win.
“It’s my favorite tournament,” Casorso said, “but there’s sure a bitter taste after that last putt.”
Casorso, who is putting the finishing touches on a tidy college career as a member of the UBCO men’s golf team, lamented the final hole, particularly the nasty lip out from four-feet for birdie that ultimately opened the door for Roth.
Not to be overlooked among the leaders was Osborne, from Salmon Arm, who parlayed the low round of the tournament on opening day, a bogey-free 66 en route to a runner-up finish.
His undoing Sunday was perhaps an errant second shot on the par-5, 16th that led to bogey, along with the three-putt on the final hole.
If organizers were to present a long drive award, perhaps the nod would go to fourthplace finisher Drew Herbert. The left-hander from the Coolangatta and Tweeds Head Golf Club travelled to Kelowna from New South Wales, Australia, and gave a splendid account, finishing fourth at 6-under-par, 210
Defending champion Garrett Kucher from West Kelowna, who plays out of Predator Ridge, finished strong with 69 on Saturday for fifth place at 5-under-par.
CHIP SHOTS: Surrey’s Daniel Swanson (206) won low-net honours, while Casorso earned the Zone 2 low amateur trophy…Mike Mannion from the Sunshine Coast (215) won senior low gross…The 54-hole tournament attracted 177 players, 15 of whom shot even par or better.