In the News

[Jeffrey Reed]

Jose de Jesus Rodriguez Clinches Second Consecutive Canadian Tour Event at the Times Colonist Island Savings Open


2011 Time Colonist Island Savings Open - Sunday, June 5, 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 21. Winds 11 km/ph.


Final-Round Leaderboard
JJ Rodriguez, Irapuato, MX 70 - 67-70-65-66 (-13)
Wes Homan, Cincinnati, OH 68-71-64-65 (-11)
Dodge Kemmer, Montana View, CA 69-68-68-65 (-10)
Dustin Ridson, Strathmore, AB 67-69-66-68 (-10)
Andy Matthews, Ada, MI 70-72-66-66 (-6)
Brock Mackenzie, Yakima, WA 72-66-67-69 (-6)
Jae Woo Im, La Mirada, CA 69-68-70-67 (-6)




Jose Rodriguez Recaps His Win at the Times Colonist Island Savings Open



(Victoria, BC., June 5, 2011) - Jose de Jesus Rodriguez of Mexico claimed his second consecutive Canadian Tour win today at the Times Colonist Island Savings Open at Uplands Golf Club in Victoria, BC. The 2011 Mexican PGA Champion rode a hot putter and stuck to his aggressive game plan en route to victory at the picturesque track located in the Oak Bay area of Victoria. With his victory Rodriguez matched 2010 Order of Merit winner Aaron Goldberg as the only player in the last two seasons to win consecutive events and all but assures his spot in this year's RBC Canadian Open.


"I played extremely well today and it feels great to win this event," said Rodriguez who went bogey free on his round of 4-under-par 66. "This win means so much to me and gets me closer to my dream of playing on the PGA TOUR," added the 30-year-old Rodriguez who now leads the Canadian Bursary with 75 pts.


Rodriguez's aggressive game plan that included hitting driver on all par 4's and par 5's proved to be fruitful and pushes his yearly earnings over the $50,000 mark. In addition to the winner's cheque it gets the Mexican closer to solidifying one of the six exemptions for Canadian Tour players to play in the PGA TOUR's RBC Canadian Open.

"It's my dream to play on the PGA TOUR," said Rodriguez. "I've been working hard on my game and especially my short game and it's really paying off for me," added Rodriguez.


Canadian Dustin Risdon started the day one shot behind Rodriguez but was unable to catch the agressive Mexican. During his round Risdon knew the tournament was slipping away from him.

"I told DV (Dale Vallely caddie) that we needed to make a move but the putts just weren't dropping for me today," said Risdon who finished the tournament tied for third with Dodge Kemmer. "At the end of the day I am happy with how I played and I'm well on my way to accomplishing my goal of getting into the RBC Canadian Open through our Order of Merit," said Risdon who serenaded the crowd on 18 with a birdie.


Canadian Tour rookie Wes Homan had quite the coming out party at the Times Colonist Island Savings Open. Homan's 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole proved to be enough to move him into second place alone and earn a cheque for $19,200.


Another rookie, Dodge Kemmer moved up the leaderboard with a final round of 5-under-par 65. Kemmer was the medalist at the California Qualifying School earlier this year and is a product of Standford University.


Up next for the Canadian Tour is the inaugural Western Championship which begins next Thursday June 9, 2011 at Rivershore Golf Links. Please check www.cantour.com for lives scores and stories from Kamloops.


Notes:

- Rick Gibson's round of 69 was good enough to solidify a T10 showing. Gibson was the low 'Islander' for the week edging Nanaimo native Darren Griff who finished T22.
- Please click here to review the Canadian Bursary standings
- The scoring average at Uplands on Sunday was 71.83



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