Simon McInnis and Garrett Rank (JR Williams photo)
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Sept. 15, 2018) – It took a heroic final-round score, but Toronto’s
Simon McInnis and
Garrett Rank managed to fight their way back to the top of the leaderboard Saturday in the final round of the John R. Williams Four-Ball. The duo claimed what is their second title in the event.
McInnis and Rank teamed up to win the Williams back in 2015. This week, they put themselves in the mix at Oak Hill Country Club after a first-round 67, but dropped shots in the second round when they fired 2-over 72. A final-round 9-under 62 was just enough to get them into a tie with the Bakersfield, Calif.-based team of
Stephen Hale and
D.J. Fernando.
The two teams went back to the 18th hole for sudden death, where Rank made a crucial par for his side. Hale missed his par putt that would have forced more holes.
Rank is a well-known name in northern golf circles. Already this summer, he won the Ontario Amateur and Mid-Amateur, and played the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills as an amateur. Rank spends the golf offseason working as an NHL referee. His partner, McInnis, is a former player for the University of Waterloo.
Another Toronto team, Craig Hosie and Harris Bundy, finished third at 6 under. That side had the first-round lead after opening with 64, but then fired back-to-back rounds of even-par 70 to fall off the pace.
Second-round leaders Andrew Kay of Pittsford, N.Y., and David Fries of Penfield, N.Y., also tied for third at 6 under.
In the senior division,
Bob Royak and
Doug Hanzel, a Georgia-based team, increased their lead on Saturday and turned it into a nine-shot victory over Keith Holmes and Gay McMichael, also of Georgia. Royak and Hanzel combined for rounds of 63-67-64 to reach 19 under.
ABOUT THE
John R. Williams Invitational
54-hole two man best ball format with Mid-Am and Senior divisions. By invitation only.
Entrants must have a
handicap of 3.4 or less, with the team total not to
exceed 5.5. Both members
of teams in the Senior Division must be 55 years of
age
by the first day of
the tournament. Senior index requirements are 4.4
individual and 7.2 team.
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