Nick Taylor Wins
the 2007 Canadian Amateur Championship
August 17, 2007,
Riverside Country Club,
Saskatoon, SK

It took 38-holes but Nick Taylor from the Ledgeview Golf and Country Club in Abbotsford, B.C. got it done and captured Canada’s biggest amateur golf crown edging Michael Knight of Calgary at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon, Sask.

Taylor and Knight battled all day with both holding leads at varying points in the match. When one player looked like they would take control, the other battled back to push into contention. Knight at one point earned a 2-up standing and then Taylor rallied, swinging a five-stroke momentum in his favor to move to 3-up.

The 19-year old, Taylor had several chances to finish Knight but just when he needed it, his putter that carried him through the week disappeared. He three-putted the final three-holes and Knight pulled even on the 36th.

On the 38th-hole Taylor and Knight both found themselves in the bunker. Knight who was away, sailed his bunker-shot over the green and out of bounds. Taylor, the 2006 Canadian Junior Boy’s Champion, put his next shot on the green and Knight conceded the match.

“It was tough the last few holes,” said Taylor. “My putting wasn’t there like it was all week. I just had to hold my composure and put everything in perspective. I kept telling myself to hold tough and work through it.”

The 19-year old Taylor becomes only the second player to win the Canadian Junior Boy’s Championship and then follow it up by winning the Canadian Men’s Amateur title a year later. Brent Franklin of Calgary is the only other to have achieved that feat when earned his second junior title in 1984 and then captured his first of three amateur titles in 1985.

“It’s amazing to have won both of these titles so close together,” said Taylor. “To put my name up beside others like Richard Scott and Doug Roxburgh… that’s just a huge honour for me. I can’t even put it into words.”

By virtue of advancing to the Canadian Amateur final, both Taylor and Knight have earned exemptions along the RCGA’s Pathway to Champions into the 2008 Canadian Open, July 21-27 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont

“To play with the pros when I’m 20, that’s just crazy,” said Taylor. “It’s going to be a good week, something I’ve always dreamed about. I know Mike and I are going to have lots of fun next year.”

Taylor’s road to the Earl Grey Cup included posting an opening round 2 and 1 victory over Daniel Kim of Toronto, Ont. In his second round match he defeated Britt Pronk of London, Ont, 3 and 2 and followed that by dusting Darren Hupfer of Edmonton, Alta 7 and 6. On Thursday Taylor edged David Markle of Shelburne, Ont. 2 and 1 and finished off Renaud Langevin of Scott, Que. 4 and 3 to secure his fate in the final match.

Although Knight quietly inched his way through match-play this week he was considered a favorite. Just last week Knight captured the prestigious Pacific Coast Amateur Championship in San Diego – a championship which includes past winners Curt Byron, Billy Mayfair, Jason Gore, Ben Crane and Canadian James Lepp of Abbotsford, B.C.

Knight’s road to the final saw him edge Lindsay Renolds 3 and 2 in the opening round and then in his second match beat Matthew Steinbach of Qualicum Beach, B.C. on the 19th-hole. Yesterday he followed by besting David Byrne of Essex, Ont. on the 22nd hole in the quarter finals and then topped Graham Hill of Bright’s Grove, Ont. 1-up.

Both Taylor and Knight are off to the US Men’s Amateur Championship next week at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif. From August 20-26.

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From the BC Golf news:
With a carefully executed bunker shot on the second extra hole, 19-year-old Nick Taylor of Ledgeview Golf and Country Club, in Abbotsford, British Columbia has captured the RCGA Canadian Amateur Championship, just four days before he heads to San Francisco to compete in the U.S Amateur.

Playing at windswept Riverside Golf Club is Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Taylor, the 2006 Canadian Junior Champion, was three up with three holes remaining in his 36-hole match against Michael Knight, a determined 22-year-old from Lethbridge, Alberta.

Fresh off an impressive victory in last week's Pacific Coast Amateur, Knight battled back to win the final three holes in regulation and return the match to all square.

Taylor, the tournament's third seed, and Knight, the eighth seed, both birdied the first extra hole, then headed to Riverside's par-five second hole which plays over 550 yards and into a strong headwind.

On their second shots, looking to reach the green in two, both players found a green-side bunker. Knight, the first to hit, apparently sculled his shot and left himself with no chance of making a birdie. Taylor, on the other hand, pitched out and ended up within six feet of the hole. At that point Knight conceded the match and the 103rd Canadian Amateur title and the Earl Grey Cup belonged to Taylor.

Both players have earned exemptions to play in next year's Canadian Open on the PGA TOUR.

Congratulations Nick from all the members & staff at the Ledgeview Golf & Country Club. Well Done!