Saturday’s rainy skies toyed with the entire field, but it didn’t matter a whit to the San Juan/ Lopez duo of John Bird and Fred Weedon, who both shot 5-under their handicaps Sunday and walked away with the annual Member/Guest Tournament title at San Juan Golf and Country Club.
Tied for third place after the first day’s best-ball competition, the pair left little doubt on Sunday, shooting a net 132 for a tournament total of 196.
Second-place finishers John Stephens and Gary Erlandson finished 7 back at 203.
“In a tournament like this, Sunday determines it,” Bird said Monday. “If either of the pair shoots below their handicap and the other shoots theirs, you’re generally in pretty good shape. In our case, we both shot 5-under our handicaps. It turned out to be a good day for both of us.”
With the win, the pair received a third of the $1,500 prize pool, or $480. Second place shared $345; three teams tied for third, each earning $200.
Bird, who spent the better part of the last 30 years owning and operating Island Title Co., plays two or three times a week and carries a 17 handicap. Lopez attorney Weedon came in with a 9 handicap.
“Fred and I have been playing on and off together for 20 years,” Bird said. “Fred’s the golfer. I play a lot, but he’s the golfer.”
Bird credited course superintendent Bryan Germain for excellent course conditions. “He did a wonderful job getting the course ready.”
Weedon was unavailable for comment Monday.
In field prizes, Chris Gregor hit closest to the pin on the No. 8, coming 1 foot 11 inches from the hole. Jim Chambers did the same on the No. 15, landing 81/2 feet from the hole. Roland Fretland’s shot landed 13 feet 5 inches from the pin on the No. 17. Ron Kenny’s landed within 5 feet of the No. 6 pin.
Matt Cowell had the longest drive on the No. 5. Rick d’Ours had the most accurate drive on the No. 14.
Each field winner earned $50 for his efforts.