Trevor Metcalf will have a new driver in his hands when he tees off today at Prince George Golf and Curling Club and he's not going to get too mad if it fails him on the course.
The 27-year-old carpenter from Vanderhoof knows it's a poor tradesman who blames his tools.
Based on his past performances at the Simon Fraser Men's Open, Metcalf is more likely to be kissing his clubs rather than wrapping them around a tree this weekend at PGGCC.
The former touring pro is the defending champion, having earned his first Simon Fraser Open title last year when he beat Kevin Pederson in a three-hole playoff when they tied at 10-under after three rounds. Metcalf was runner-up to Adam Veenstra three weeks ago at the Aberdeen Open and for finishing second picked as his prize a Titleist 915 driver.
"I'm not super-confident with a brand-new driver, hopefully it's fine," said Metcalf. "I always say you just have to keep yourself in it for two days and try to win it on the last day. Nobody likes second."
Metcalf has been second in the Simon three times and also has two third-place finishes. He's been busy at his work as a house-builder in Vanderhoof and is also building his own house when work is done and that hasn't left him much time lately to work on his golf game. He was hoping to get in a couple practice round or two this week before he played the fast greens at the Prince George course.
"Our greens in Vanderhoof (at Omenica Golf Course) are nice but they're not as fast," he said. "Based on what I've heard, they're in good shape and fast this year. It's nice putting on fast greens. I'd be pretty happy with the same score as last year."
Metcalf graduated high school in Vanderhoof and went to golf college at the Golf Academy of America in San Diego, then went to work an assistant pro for three years in Invermere from 2008-10. He spent the winter a few years ago on a pro tour in Arizona, where he was overwhelmed by how well the other pros played.
"It was a good experience but a bit of an eyeopener, too," he said. "Those guys play a lot of golf all year round. That little tour I tried cost me a lot. That's why its tough to make it anywhere, unless you have a lot of money or a good sponsor, and I did have sponsors that whole time.
"You have to be real good, and I didn't even make the cut in 10 tournaments. All the cuts were three- or four-under, every tournament."
The field for this year's tournament, which is being sponsored by Northland Dodge, has increased substantially from 78 in 2014 to 114 this year. PGGCC head pro Shaun Lees attributes the renewed interest to a different date, better course conditions, and a change in the tournament format. Higher-handicap golfers will hit off the white tees, while the more accomplished golfers in the first two flights will blast their drives from the longer blue tees.
"We moved it away from the long weekend and it might have to do with the fact we're running two sets of tees for the tournament," said Lees. "That allows the course to play a little longer for the better players and the higher handicappers have a much better chance to shoot around their 'caps and that gives them a better chance so they have more fun.
"The course, tee to green, I haven't seen it in this good of shape in years. (PGGCC superintendent) Murray Kutyn and has staff have done a great job this year."
Neither Veenstra nor Pederson are not entered this weekend but there are plenty of quality challengers for Metcalf. Kevin Botham, Keenan Hopson, Jessey Church, Blair Scott, Rana Nagra, Will Gilbert and Mike Legg are most likely to be in the hunt in the final round on Sunday.
"Keenan is always sneaky," said Metcalf. "He's never going to shoot himself right out of it, even if he does shoot a 75 or 76 he can come back just as easy with a 65 or 66. Jessey has been trying his luck on the tours, but it takes a lot.
"I'm competitive, so I do like to be in the last group or win it, but its definitely not the first priority. It's kind of a break from work and everything. I just love playing in the tournaments just to see all the people from Prince who are playing."
The opening tee-offs are today at 8 a.m.
