Colin Coben is congratulated after a birdie on hole 17 by fellow championship flight competitor Lionel Fauchoux. Jeff D’Andrea/paNOW Staff

By Jeff D'Andrea

Reclaiming the trophy

Coben back in the winner’s circle

Jun 6, 2019 | 9:44 PM

Delisle’s Colin Coben is back on top at the Senior Men’s Lobstick, as he won his eighth championship in the past nine years at the Waskesiu Golf Course.

Coben had previously won seven in a row from 2011 to 2017, but Medicine Hat’s Glen Erickson stopped Coben’s dynasty run last year.

But on Thursday, Coben reclaimed the trophy once again by playing consistent and steady golf. He shot, an even-par 70 on opening day Tuesday, +1 71 on Wednesday before closing out the event on championship Thursday with another 70.

“It feels good. I didn’t win last year and I had seven in a row before that, but I’m happy to be back here in the winner’s circle,” Coben said. “It was a good week. It was three perfect days, golf course was phenomenal—really was. It was as good as I’ve ever seen it out here.”

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Even before the tournament started, Coben was already feeling it on the course. He showed up a day early to shoot a warm up round, and shot a five-under 65 to give him a little confidence boost heading into the tournament.

“I came on Monday for a practice round, had eight birdies and shot a 65 and I thought ‘well that’s pretty good,” Coben said. “Then [in the tournament] I shot 70, 71, 70—pretty good golf I guess for amateur golf. But the course was that good. It was a little tougher today because it was a little firm, but I made it work.”

Coben will be back next week for the Men’s Lobstick June 10-15, looking for the all-rare feat of winning both the Men’s and Senior Men’s Lobsticks in the same year.

“This will be my eighth time to try and win both. I don’t think anybody’s won both, but that’s a tough gig next week,” Coben said. “It would be fun to have a chance to do it—just come out and play. My philosophy of the game is hit the ball, find it, and hit it again. That’s what I try and tell everybody.”

Gary Tuffs won the Super Senior championship, placing at +5 through the three rounds.

Here are the finishes for both championship flights in the tournament.

Senior Championship Flight

1. Colin Coben, +1, 70, 71, 70, 211

2. Warren Gnam, +6 70, 72, 74, 216

3. Lionel Fauchoux, +7, 69, 74, 74, 217

4. Percy Murray, +13, 75, 73, 75, 223

5. Rick Hallberg, +13, 71, 75, 77, 223

6. Garry Hagen, +21, 73, 76, 82, 231

7. Tom Pinder, +21, 75, 74, 82, 231

8. Doug Kozak, +21, 74, 75, 82, 231

Super Senior Championship Flight

1. Gary Tuffs, +5, 72, 72, 71, 215

2. Blair Sterling, +11, 69, 76, 76, 221

3. Jim Scissons, +13, 75, 75, 73, 223

4. Art Goodwin, +21, 79, 74, 78, 231

5. Ray Field, +23, 78, 76, 79, 233

6. Doug Piper, +25, 76, 77, 82, 235

7. Doug Mader, +27, 80, 79, 78, 237

8. Terry Cennon, +28, 78, 77, 83, 238

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW