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Ken Griffith with his third place medal at the 2022 Canadian Men's Senior Championship at his home club in Red Deer, Alta. on Sept. 9, 2022. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)
a great week

Griffith calls 3rd place finish at Canadian championship ‘pinnacle’ of his career

Sep 9, 2022 | 4:59 PM

The greens were amazing, the sun was out, and a local golfer finished in the top three at the 2022 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by Golf Canada at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club (RDGCC).

Ken Griffith, a member at RDGCC, fired rounds of 71-69-75-73 to finish third in the 60th annual tournament, and called it the pinnacle of his golf career.

He sunk a clutch three-footer on his final stroke to stay at Even for the tournament, and one shot ahead of Canyon Lake, California’s Robert Funk. The hometown player’s score after three rounds was crucial as Funk fired a -3 on the day, compared to Griffith’s +1.

Watch the conclusion to Griffith’s tournament below…

Ahead of Griffith was champion Rusty Strawn of McDonough, Georgia, who shot five under, and just last week won the U.S. Men’s Amateur, the equivalent tournament south of the border.

In second was Mike Lohner of Southlake, Texas, who finished -2.

Griffith’s result also meant he was the top Canadian of the week, concluding a tournament he says he’ll always remember.

“I’m thrilled. It’s nice to be able to play well on your own golf course. This course is second to none. I play all over and without a doubt this is one of the top five in Alberta, period, and not just for challenge, but playability and condition. It says a lot about Heath Koch and the greens crew here,” Griffith told media.

“I was top Canadian a few years ago in New Brunswick where I finished 5th with four Americans ahead of me. So yeah, this is the pinnacle. It’s great to also win the interprovincial championship, which I’ve done now three times. But to win a medal is something I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.”

(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

Griffith and two Team Alberta teammates secured the interprovincial title earlier in the week.

His two teammates in that competition were Senan Foley of Calgary and Kelly Risling of Medicine Hat.

Meantime, there were other local golfers who fared pretty well this week.

Grant Lee of Red Deer fired +9, good for T-7th, and Red Deerian Peter Innes finished at +13, in T-15.

Red Deer’s Thomas Skinner finished 25th with a final score of +27.

Olds’ Keith Newton shot +13 after two rounds and missed the cut, as did Mark Schultz of Olds who was +15 after 36 holes.

Sylvan Lake’s Joseph Gascon was one of two players who had to withdraw this week after suffering injury. He had shot a first round of 84 (+12).