It’s said that one of the hardest things to do in golf is to follow a low round with another one. That does not appear to be an issue for Montreal area (Mont Saint-Hilaire) amateur Hugo Bernard. He did just that at a Minor League Golf Tour event in Florida on April 21/22.
While pro Krister Eriksson of Sweden put on an a heady performance of his own and went -15 for the 36 holes to earn the $10,000 first prize for professionals, he was left in the dust by the champion.
Bernard, who is about to head to the University of Tennessee on a golf scholarship, opened with an incredible course record of 61 at Abacoa Golf Club and followed up with a 63.
The -20 total earned Bernard a pro shop gift certificate for $750, the USGA limit for amateurs.
Amazingly Bernard, now 20, had not even seen the golf course before his first round. “I putted well and played smart,” said the former Golf Quebec Men’s Amateur Champion .“I just decided to play in a tournament on the way home,” he added. “I never made a bogey.”
Though play was never delayed, the course was wet from overnight rains and lift-clean-and-place plating guidelines were in effect for both rounds, which usually leads to lower scores. “You still have to get the ball in the hole,” noted Abacoa head professional Rob Young. “That was quite a score.”
Bernard started the first round with six consecutive 3’s, turned in 29 and shot 32 on the inward nine. He eagled the par-5 second and sixth holes and finished with seven birdies. His second round also included two eagles, at No. 2 and at the par-4 11th when he drove the green. He made five birdies.
Bernard said it was the first time he had played against professionals.
We’re guessing it won’t be his last.
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Minor League Golf Tour
Abacoa GC, Jupiter, Fla.
7,200 yards, par 72
A-Hugo Bernard, Montreal, Quebec. $750 61-63—124
Krister Eriksson, Sweden, $10,000 63-66—129
Robert Karlsson, Sweden, $3,500 64-66—130
Brad Adamonis, Cumberland, R.I., $2,100 64-67—131
Billy Hemstock, England, $1,800 66-67—133
Max Buckley, Rye, N.Y., $1,350 69-65—134
Jeff Hatten, Farmington, Conn., $1,350 68-66—134
Brad Gehl, Carmel, Ind., $1,125 67-68—135
Jon McLean, Weston, $912.50 69-67—136
Jamie Sindelar, Horseheads, N.Y., $912.50 69-67—136
Matt Dubrowski, Bergenfield, N.J., $912.50 68-68—136
Matthew Jennings, Prairie City, Iowa, $912.50 68-68—136
Bo Hoag, Columbus, Ohio, $912.50 66-70—136
Sunny Kim, Palm Beach Gardens, $912.50 65-71—136
Olin Browne Jr., Hobe Sound, $662.50 70-67—137
Jimmy Hazen, Miller Place, N.Y., $662.50 69-68—137
Kevin Foley, Somerville, N.J., $380 74-64—138
Dan McCarthy, Syracuse, N.Y., $380 71-67—138
Zack Shriver, Marysville, Wash., $380 71-67—138
Jordan Elsen, Kenosha, Wis., $380 68-70—138
John Smith, Palm Beach Gardens, $380 68-70—138
Brandon Smith, West Palm Beach, $380 68-70—138
Alex Redfield, Powell, Ohio, $380 68-70—138
Matt Ceravolo, Palm Beach Gardens, $380 67-71—138
Linus Gillgren, Sweden, $380 67-71—138
Matt Smith, Thompson, Conn., $157.50 70-69—139
Chris DeJohn, Rocky Hill, Conn., $157.50 70-69—139
Ben Silverman, Thornhill, Ontario, $157.50 70-69—139
Sandro Piaget, Jupiter, $156.40 70-69—139
A-Amateur. Money listed awarded as gift certificate.
