Willis and Josh Hunke co-lead Men’s Net Stableford division while
Emma Bittorf leads Women’s Net Stableford Championship
Brighton, Ont. – With 18 holes remaining, Chris Willis and Natasha Stasiuk are in strong position to defend their respective national championships at the 2024 Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO at Timber Ridge Golf Course in Brighton, Ont.
Willis of Aurora, Ont. fired a 4-under 67 in Wednesday’s second round to move to 1-under for the tournament. Willis recorded an eagle and five birdies during his round and said there wasn’t much difference for him on his front and back nines other than an unfortunate four putt on a difficult pin position on no. 8.
“I wedged a few close, and I hit a great approach on a par five to a foot and a half for an eagle,” said Willis who earned an eagle no. 15.
“My wedge play and hitting it close to the hole and capitalizing on those are what made my round really good,” he added.
Willis holds a four-shot lead over Reggie Millage of Milton, Ont. who sits second at 3-over. Josh Hunke of New Hamburg, Ont. is third at 7-over. Willis says it will be a new kind of pressure for him as he is 18 holes away from defending his title.
“I’m going to have to keep driving the ball well, keeping it in play and making sure I hit the right tiers on the greens and just stay patient with my putter and hopefully a few fall and I walk away with a medal and a trophy.”
Willis also holds a piece of the lead in the battle for the Net Stableford Championship after earning 39 points on Wednesday. Willis now has 71 points overall to join Hunke as co-leader. They sit ahead of Vic McClelland of High River, Alta. who is third with 69 points. Kevin Delaney of Windsor, Ont. is fourth with 68 points and Geoff Beecroft of Newcastle, Ont., Spencer Easthope of Okotoks, Alta., and Scott Stafford of St. Thomas, Ont. are tied for fifth with 66 points.
In the Women’s Gross Stroke Play Championship, Stasiuk of Oakville, Ont. holds a 14-shot lead heading into the final round after recording a 16-over 87 to now sit at 26-over for the tournament. Bittorf of Strathmore, Alta. sits second at 40-over following an 18-over 89 in her second round.
Bittorf has taken the lead in the Net Stableford Championship division after earning 33 points on Wednesday to now sit at 64 points overall. Bittorf leads Stasiuk (57 points) by seven points. Three-time defending Stableford champion, Tess Trojan of St. Catharines, Ont. is third with 55 points.
The stableford scoring format of the Canadian All Abilities Championship awards set points based off a golfer’s net score for the hole. The points are awarded as follows: Albatross (5 points), Eagle (4 points), Birdie (3 points), Par (2 points), Bogey (1 point), Double Bogey or higher (0 points). The golfers with the highest total of accumulated points over 54-holes will win their respective divisions.
A field of 57 players, regardless of disability classification, are competing over 54-holes in four different divisions in the national championship: Women’s Gross Stroke Play; Women’s Net Stableford; Men’s Gross Stroke Play; and Men’s Net Stableford.
The fourth playing of the national championship features competitors from Canada, the United States, Australia, Ireland and Sweden with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments and the largest field in tournament history. First conducted in 2021 at Humber Valley Golf Course in Toronto, Ont., the competition supports Golf Canada’s commitment to create a more inclusive and respectful sport environment across the Canadian golf community.
For the full leaderboard following the second round of the 2024 Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.
