By Dan Kinvig - Abbotsford News
Published: July 06, 2009 1:00 PM

The brothers Hadwin turned the Ledgeview Men’s Open into their own personal coming-out party on the weekend.

Adam Hadwin, 21, topped an impressive field of local professionals to claim the first victory of his fledgling pro career. Hadwin, who turned pro last month after a stellar four-year run at the University of Louisville, shot 63-68 to finish five strokes clear of runner-up Matt Palsenbarg at the Vancouver Golf Tour stop.

Hadwin’s breakthrough victory was even more special in light of the fact that his younger brother Kyle, 18, also put together an impressive performance on the weekend.

Kyle is a seven-handicap, but he posted a sizzling two-under 68 in the opening round on Saturday to earn a spot alongside his brother in Sunday’s final foursome. He finished up with an 81, but his two-round total of 149 was still good for low gross honours in the second flight (handicaps 6-11).

“We had a blast out there,” Adam Hadwin said. “When he made a mistake, it was a little bit tough for me to watch, but we had a lot of fun.”

The elder Hadwin was on fire during Saturday’s opening round – his seven-birdie, zero-bogey effort was within shouting distance of the Ledgeview course record of 61. “I really got the putter rolling for the first time in a long time, and that was really exciting to see,” he said. “I hit it within 10 or 12 feet most every hole, and I made a lot of those putts.”

Hadwin played his junior golf at Ledgeview, and he said that notching his first pro win in his hometown was special.

“I always seem to play well at Ledgeview,” said Hadwin, who won Zone 3 and Maple Leaf Junior Tour events on the local layout during his junior days. “Some of the members were following me out there, and it was nice to play well in front of them.”

Hadwin’s share of the $12,000 purse was $2,800. Other notable locals in the professional field included Andrew Smeeth (T3, $1,087) and Ray Stewart (seventh, $700).

On the amateur side, Mission’s Kevin Stinson took overall low gross honours after shooting 69-70. The overall low net winner was Joe Crocker, whose two-round score was 135.

In the first flight (handicaps 3-5), Cody Kwak won the low net (136), while Norm Bradley won the low gross (140). Mike Smith took the low net (139) in the second flight, while third-flight winners (handicaps 12-plus), were Richard Wojtowicz (139, net) and Neil Johnston (162, gross).

Please click on the following for a full list of the Professional and Amateur winners: Professional Winners
Amateur Winners