TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP OPEN QUALIFYING RESULTS (Bold denotes Canadian)
QUALIFIED
Carlos Sainz, Jr., Elgin, IL - 63 (-9)
David Markle, Shelburne, ON - 64 (-8)
Will Mitchell, Bowmanville, ON - 64 (-8)
Kevin McAlpine, Scotland - 67 (-5)
ALTERNATES (in order)
Kota Kagasaki, Australia - 68 (-4)
Craig Hicks, Tecumseh, ON - 69 (-3)
Mike Gonko, Sudbury, ON - 70 (-2)
Joseph Juszcyk, Dearborn Heights, ON - 70 (-2)
John Atherton, Toronto, ON - 70 (-2)
(August 9, 2012 - Burlington, ON) - Former Canadian Tour member Carlos Sainz Jr. fired a nine-under 63 Thursday to take medalist honours at the Canadian Tour Championship Qualifier at Crosswinds Golf & Country Club in Burlington, ON.
Sainz. Jr joined his fellow playing competitors, David Markle and Will Mitchell, who shot matching eight-under 64s, and Canadian Tour member Kevin McAlpine, who shot 67, as qualifiers for the Tour Championship August 23-26 at Scarboro Golf & Country Club.
"Both of those guys are buddies of mine and we were just feeding off each other all day." said Sainz, who played the Canadian Tour in 2010 and 2011. "There were tons of birdies flying and it was fun to be out there."
Sainz's best finish on the Canadian Tour was a T-12 at the 2010 Dakota Dunes Casino Open. The 26-year old says he's looking forward to playing in his third Canadian Tour Championship.
"Any time you tee it up, you're looking to get yourself in contention and win," said Sainz. "I'm looking forward to having a chance to do that in a couple of weeks."
Mitchell and Markle, also both former Canadian Tour members, managed eight-under 64s playing alongside Sainz. The group was a combined 25-under par for the day.
"I got off to a good start and having the guys around me playing well kept me going," said Markle, who recently qualified for the RBC Canadian Open. Markle's best finish on the Canadian Tour was a tie for 45th at the 2011 Seaforth Country Classic.
"We all took advantage of the good scoring conditions," said Mitchell, who played the Canadian Tour from 2008 to 2010 with his best finish a tie for 25th at the 2008 Montreal Open.
Rounding out the qualifiers was Canadian Tour member Kevin McAlpine, whose five-under 67 earned him the final spot. McAlpine, who has missed Monday qualifying for three separate Canadian Tour events by a single shot this year, said it was a relief to qualify for the event ahead of time.
"Everyone wants to play the Tour Championship. It's our biggest event and I'm glad to be in," said McAlpine. "I'll take some confidence from today and hope to play well in the event."
Alternates for the event were Canadian Tour member Kota Kagasaki (68), Craig Hicks (69), Mike Gonko (70), Joseph Juszcyk (70) and John Atherton (70).
The Canadian Tour Championship will take place August 23-26 at the Scarboro Golf & Country Club, celebrating its centenary year.
