Hong Wins Canadian Tours Spring Qualifying

LANGLEY, BC -- Chang Hong made it look easy Friday to run away with medallist honours at the Canadian Tours Spring Qualifying School.

The 24-year-old Korean closed with a 4-under 66 at Belmont Golf Club and with a four-day total of 13-under 267 was ten shots clear of British Columbians Patrick Ericson and Dan Roberts.

The landslide equalled the Tour record for largest margin of victory at a qualifying school. Anders Hultman won the winter school by ten in 2003 before claiming victory his first official start the following week.

Seven players, including three Canadians, finished 3-over 283 or better to earn exempt status for the remainder of the 2006 Canadian Tour season. Five Canadians were among the eight who are non-exempt.

If there were any doubts whether Hong would let a final-round five shot lead slip away, they were answered early. Hong turned at 3-under and cruised the rest of the way. At the end of the day, he had converted three birdie putts over 30 feet.

Even with a big lead, I wanted to stay focused, said Hong. You can lose your touch in a hurry if you dont play your own game.

Im very happy with the way I played, but next week we start playing for keeps.

Over the final few holes, Ericsons nerves began to get the better of him. Playing in his hometown, Ericson went double bogey-bogey-par coming in.

That was a tough end, he admitted with a laugh. Im just glad to get it over with.

Ive taken some deep breaths and exhaled in the past few minutes.

The Canadian Tour begins its summer-long swing north of the 49th parallel next week when the Greater Vancouver Charity Classic is held at Hazelmere GC.

FINAL RESULTS
EARNED EXEMPT CARD:
Chang Hong 68-66-67-66_267 U.S.
Patrick Ericson 71-70-65-71_277 Langley, BC
Dan Roberts 67-69-70-71_277 Victoria
Frank Carrillo 70-66-70-72_278 U.S.
Seann Harlingten 69-70-71-69_279 U.S.
Justin Madison 69-68-72-70_279 U.S.
John Shin 72-72-68-71_283 Burnaby, BC

Earned non-exempt card:
John Quigley 70-70-73-71_284 U.S.
Ryan Vallely 71-70-70-73_284 Medicine Hat, AB
Chris Dickson 73-68-73-71_285 Bright’s Grove, ON
Colin Gilliam 75-71-69-70_285 Mission, BC
Connor Robbins 67-78-68-72_285 U.S.
Trevor Marko 69-70-73-74_286 Ancaster, ON
Jeff Puska 67-73-75-71_286 Ladysmith, BC
Nik Tayler 69-70-75-72_286 Australia