Star Amateur: Course manager enjoys support from golfers back home
Troy Humphries and Art Davidson were at the Magna Golf Club this week, but their hearts never left Senjan.
The pair competed as golfer and caddy for the first round of the Star Amateur, which took place at the prestigious, private Aurora club. Every step of the way, Humphries received emailed messages of encouragement from back home at the modest, accessible golf course he runs near charming Fergus, Ont.
They didn’t make the cut Wednesday, but the support meant the world to Humphries, the general manager at Senjan Golf Club, and Davidson, his 86-year-old caddy who is a longtime course member.
“It was a treat,” said Humphries, moments after he and Davidson finished their round. “The closeness of the club and how they’re behind me, it’s just awesome.”
The field of 120 golfers will be narrowed down to 66 when they tee off for the second round Thursday. Play was disrupted Tuesday when heavy rain flooded part of the course, forcing all but 24 competitors to finish their first round on Wednesday.
After 18 holes, Burlington’s Trent Abraham and Christopher Wilson were tied for the lead with a low score of 69.
Davidson said he enjoyed walking the pristine fairways of Magna with Humphries. “We had a lot of fun. It’s a beautiful course here. It’s just nice. The people here are nice also,” he said, pausing. “You won’t meet nicer people than up at Senjan.”
At Senjan almost all the members are seniors, and there’s no clubhouse or pro shop. It costs $20 to shoot nine holes, a far cry from the price of admission at Magna.
Though somewhat crestfallen that he didn’t make the cut, Humphries said it’ll be nice to return to his little course near Fergus.
“They’re going to have to get a crow bar to get me out of there now,” he said. “I just love it.” Alex Ballingall