After a long 4 years, the Bob Barrette Memorial Cup has finally returned to the Hollinger where it will spend the 2022 off-season, awaiting to be defended come next October

As is tradition, both Hollinger and Spruce Needles Mens Ryder Cup Teams spent a crisp but beautiful first weekend of October battling it out in the three session Ryder Cup Style event, seeing members of both clubs compete in Better Ball, Alternate Shot and Single formats with points up for grabs for each pairings.

Team Hollinger, in what consisted to be a solid mix of junior, men and senior members had a chip on their shoulder and got the first session (Better Ball) off on the right foot where the following Hollinger teams earned Team Hollinger significant points to start the event, giving the host club a 3.5pt to 2.5pt lead.

Eric Martineau/Bob Chasse 1pt

Brody Dagenais/Joey Merenda 1pt

Ryan Koski/Mike Bilodeau 1pt

Ryan Basso/Corey Hofferd 1/2pt

After a well deserved break for lunch, both clubs sent their players back out for an afternoon battle in Alternate Shot where Hollinger showed no let-up and kept their foot down, earning them an additional 2 points with the likes of Ryan Koski/Mike Bilodeau, Eric Martineau/Corey Columbus, Brody Dagenais/Joey Merenda and Stephen Banks/Cory Hofferd winning their respective matches, giving the Hollinger a 7.5pt to 4.5pt lead entering the third and final Singles session to take place on the Sunday.

While no lead is safe in any Ryder Cup Format event, the three-point Hollinger cushion enabled players to enter Sunday with their minds a little more at ease, allowing them to use their home course to their advantage and perhaps play a little more conservative. Team Hollinger on the other hand had other plans and continued to play with something to prove, earning a 1pt edge in the Singles session with Dave MacInnins, Brody Dagenais, Mike Bilodeau, Corey Columbus, Ryan Basso and Cory Hofferd earning victories in their respective matches, with Ryan Koski grinding out the solo draw on the day, thus earning 1/2pt for the team.

While many may have looked past the ability of Hollinger’s juniors, those around the Hollinger Golf Club know very well that both Brody Dagenais and Ryan Koski are not to be taken lightly. Dagenais (Iroquois Falls, ON) and Koski (Timmins, ON) can regularly be found at the Hollinger, honing their craft throughout the summer months. This proved worthy as the 15 year-olds amassed a total of 5.5pts between the two of them and their playing partners throughout the weekend, crucial points that helped lead Team Hollinger to its first win in 4 years.

A big thank you to Owen Rigg (Hollinger) and Marcus Richard (Spruce Needles) who collaborated throughout the season to yet again make this event come to fruition and keep this great tradition alive.

FINAL RESULT

Team Hollinger 14 points

Team Spruce Needles 10 points