In the News

[Jeffrey Reed]

Wes Heffernan Takes Over Lead at Times Colonist Island Savings Open
- Fellow Albertan Dustin Ridson One Shot Back-

2011 Time Colonist Island Savings Open - Friday, June 3, 2011

Uplands Golf Club, Victoria, BC
June 2-5, 2011
Par/Yardage: 35-35-70/6420
Purse: $200,000 ($32,000)


Weather: Mainly Sunny. High of 19. Winds 19 km/ph.

Second-Round Leaderboard
Wes Heffernan, Calgary, AB 67 - 68 (-5)
Dustin Ridson, Strathmore, AB 67 - 69 (-4)
Alan McLean, London, ON 71 - 66 (-3)
JJ Rodriquez, Irapuato, MX 70 - 67 (-3)
Vince Covello, Philadelphia, PA 66 - 71 (-3)
Robbie Greenwell, Georgetown, ON 67 - 70 (-3)
Ryan Yip, Calgary, AB 70 - 67 (-3)
Dodge Kemmer, Montana View, CA 69 - 68 (-3)
Jae Woo Im, La Mirada, CA 69 - 69 (-3)


(Victoria, BC., June 3, 2011) - Wes Heffernan of Calgary grabbed the second round lead at the 2011 Times Colonist Island Savings Open. Heffernan fired a 2-under-par round of 68 at Uplands Golf Club in Victoria that included four birdies and a double bogey. Heffernan, a four-time Canadian Tour winner, attributes his early success this year to his new swing coach Dennis Sheehy.

"After a disappointing year last year I realized I needed a coach to help me," said the 34 year old Heffernan, who last won on tour in 2008 at the Players Cup. "It wasn't the smartest thing to think I could do all on my own over the years but I think I'm moving in the right direction now with Dennis," added Heffernan who claimed the $25,000 2011 Alberta Open last month.


Known as a solid ball striker, Heffernan's game is tailor made for the tight tree lined Uplands Golf course that demands accurate tee shots and patience on the greens. In 9 appearances at the Times Colonist Island Savings Open Heffernan has amassed four top 10s and six made cuts. His best finish was a solo third place in 2005.


"I think my experience at this course really helps," said Heffernan. "You really learn that positioning off the tee is one of the most important elements when it comes to scoring well around here," added Heffernan who will play with fellow Albertan Dustin Ridson in the third round tomorrow.

Risdon shared the lead with Heffernan for most of the day but a costly three putt on the 16th hole and a bogey five dropped him into solo second place. Risdon's best finish in six tries at the Times Colonist Island Savings Open is a solo sixth place in 2006.

"I was shaky at the beginning of my round, I got it going a bit in the middle and then a little shaky coming home," said Risdon who made four birdies and 3 bogeys on his round. "The front nine was there for the taking today and I didn't really capitalize," concluded Risdon, 30, of Strathmore AB.

In six appearances at the Times Colonist Island Savings Open Risdon has made three cuts dating back to 2003.

The former Nationwide Tour Member (2009, 2010) is scheduled to play the full slate of Canadian Tour events with goals of getting into the RBC Canadian Open as well as an exemption into the second stage of PGA TOUR Qualifying School. The top six Canadian Tour players following The Players Cup hosted by Jonathan Toews will be granted exemptions into the RBC Canadian Open and the top two players at the conclusion of the Tour Championship will be awarded exemptions into second stage of PGA TOUR Qualifying School.


"I just want to have a good solid season out here and accomplish my goal of getting back to the Nationwide Tour," said Risdon. "I'm completely healthy and I feel good about the experience I gained over the last season and half," added Risdon, whose top finish on the Nationwide Tour came at The Rex Hospital Open in 2010 where he finished tied for third.


The rounds of the day belonged to defending Champion Brock Mackenzie and Alan McLean who both posted a 4-under par 66. Mackenzie who holds a conditional Nationwide Tour Card is only three shots off the lead and back in the tournament after an opening round of 2-over-par 72. McLean meanwhile is only two shots back and sits in a logjam at 3-under-par for the tournament with seven other players.


Notes:

- Victoria native and three-time Canadian Tour winner Rick Gibson is four shots off the lead
- Former Amateur star Nick Taylor is five shots back of the lead at even par for the week
- The cut at Uplands came at +3 and with ties a total of 70 players made the cut

- Today's scoring average was 72.35

- Play will be conducted in twosomes tomorrow with the final group teeing off at 12:30pm
- Check www.youtube.com/canadiantourtv to see interviews from the day

About the Canadian Tour

Since its inception as the Peter Jackson Tour in 1971, the Canadian Tour has evolved into a high-caliber, coast-to-coast training ground for professionals on their way to the PGA TOUR, including Steve Stricker, Tim Clark, Mike Weir, and recent AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am winner D.A. Points. Its alumni includes not only the game's Canadian legends, but also many of its most prominent international names, who collectively have won more than 100 PGA TOUR titles and close to $400 million in prize money.