Schade survives late scare from Fanning

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This article was published 23/07/2015 (4036 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Neat and tidy, just the way Devon Schade wanted it.

With a 1-over-par 73 in the final round, the Beausejour native secured his first Men’s Amateur Championship at Bridges Golf Course Thursday afternoon.

Schade’s week has been one of unforgettable moments. From a course record 61 in Tuesday’s second round, an outing in which he sank 11 birdies and went bogey-free, to hoisting the trophy late Thursday afternoon, Schade was still in a state of shock.

“It’s pretty unbelievable, it hasn’t really sunk in yet,” said Schade, who finished at 7-under-par 281. “It’s a tournament I’ve wanted to win now for a couple of years, I can’t believe I’ve finally done it.”

Bryce Barr and Ryan Sholdice trailed Schade heading into the final round, but it was a familiar face in defending champion Todd Fanning who made a charge up the leaderboard Thursday.

Fanning, who won his fifth Men’s Amateur Championship last year at Niakwa Country Club, started the final round 11 shots back but pulled within three strokes of Schade with a 7-under-par 65.

“I had no thoughts of winning this tournament with an 11-stroke deficit,” Fanning said. “I came into this week with one goal and that was to win this tournament. When I was 11 strokes back I felt there was nothing to lose. There wasn’t enough time — I needed 27 holes today, not 18.

“Just watching the way (Schade) played (Wednesday) and with a lead, I didn’t think there was a way he was going to shoot 75. He’s too good, a very intelligent player with a good short game.”

Fanning finished second at 4-under-par 284.

Sholdice was third at 286 after carding a 3-under-par 69 Thursday, closing at 2-under for the tournament.

Fanning withdrew from his spot on Manitoba’s Willingdon Cup team immediately after finishing in the runner-up spot, leaving Sholdice and Travis Fredborg, who emerged from a three-way playoff to capture the third spot, joining Schade on team for the Interprovincial Team Championship in August.

The top 10 from this week’s tournament all get berths in next month’s Canadian Amateur Championship.

Schade’s round began on the wrong foot, as he recorded two bogeys in the first three holes. Schade credited his birdie on the par-3 fourth for righting the ship.

“It was definitely a confidence booster,” he said. “It made me know I was back in it, back in the driving seat.”

Schade said he heard bits and pieces about Fanning’s round as the day wore on.

“I had heard he had a great front nine,” Schade said. “I was a little anxious, a little nervous when I heard that. But I kept it cool on the back and shot 1-under. It felt good.”

As Garth Goodbrandson watched Schade’s final round, the University of Manitoba’s men’s golf coach and director of player development with Golf Manitoba couldn’t be more pleased with his pupil.

“His game has come a long way,” Goodbrandson said. “I’ve known him for a few years, but since he’s been a Bison player, seeing how well he’s done, I think this has just added to his confidence. I could just see his game continuing to progress.

Schade made golf his main focus three years ago while playing junior hockey in the MJHL with the Portage Terriers and Waywayseecappo Wolverines. He played in the MMJHL with the Transcona Railer Express last season.

“I felt that golf was going to be a better path for me,” he said. “I think it was a good idea.

“I knew I was a pretty decent golfer. If I put some hard work and effort into it, I could become a better golfer than hockey player.”

Schade will now turn his gaze toward the Canadian amateur next month in Ontario. He missed the cut last year, his first time in the field.

“The goal this year is to make the cut and do well.”

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca