Orr wins fifth-straight senior women’s golf title; North men’s senior champ

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This article was published 30/07/2020 (2256 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Nothing is guaranteed in golf, but Rhonda Orr might have something to say about that.

For the fifth consecutive time, and seventh time in eight years, Orr has won the Golf Manitoba Senior Women’s Championship. Orr successfully defended her title Wednesday with a nine-shot victory at Carman Golf & Curling Club. Orr shot 80-81-79 for a three-round total of 27-over 240.

So, does hoisting the Senior Women’s trophy ever get old?

“Not really, I guess,” Orr said with a laugh. “I think every year, the season starts and we’re all on a level playing (field) and you try your best, and hopefully it’s good enough.”

There’s no secret to Orr’s success. The 58 year old who plays at Southwood takes a lot of pride in working on her craft. She’s made a habit of shooting a couple of practice rounds at whatever course is hosting the senior women’s championship before the tournament tees off. Even with a full trophy case, Orr remains motivated. In a typical year, she’s zoned in on qualifying for the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship and representing Manitoba at nationals. With both of those events taken off the calendar owing to COVID-19, this week’s tournament was the biggest one of the year for her.

“I think you look at it as preparation for next year and hopefully next year we’ll be able to compete nationally again and in the United States,” said Orr.

“You still kind of want to prepare, but it definitely was different, there’s no doubt about it.”

A familiar face also won the senior men’s championship. Bruce North took advantage of playing at his home course to win his second senior men’s title in three years. After a tough opening round score of 78, North bounced back and shot a 71 in the final two rounds to finish with a three-round total of 7-over 220. St. Boniface’s Mike Walker, last year’s champion, sure made things interesting, though.

North had a two-shot lead over Walker heading to the 17th hole, but traded places on the leaderboard when they walked off the green. North bogeyed and Walker made eagle on the 384-yard par 4, to give him a one-shot advantage. When North heard what happened, he borrowed a catchphrase from Yannick, his two-year-old grandson, who was celebrating his birthday Wednesday; North was determined to get a win for him.

“He’s a fun little character. One of his favourite expressions is, ‘oh no!’ and I had that ‘oh no!’ feeling quite a few during this tournament, so I was thinking of him whenever that happened,” North said.

But there was no need for any fretting on the final hole; North sunk a 15-foot putt for birdie to seal the deal.

“I knew I had to make birdie…. It just barely rolled in on the last roll, which I was so thankful for. And then Mike had some troubles on the 18th hole and he bogeyed. I figured for sure he’d either beat me or we’d go into a playoff, but it ended up being good so I was very, very relieved and thankful,” said North, who didn’t provide details on Yannick’s reaction.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31