Chilliwack golfer storms from behind to win PGA of BC event in Vernon

Chilliwack golfer storms from behind to win PGA of BC event in Vernon

Published 10:59 am Tuesday, October 6, 2026

He played well in the opening round, but Kevin Stinson felt he didn’t get the score he wanted.

That changed in the final 18 holes of the 2026 Srixon/Cleveland Golf Club Professional Championship Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the Vernon Golf and Country Club.

Stinson, from Chilliwack’s Cheam Mountain Golf Course, fired a bogey-free 7-under-par 65 to finish at seven-under 137 for the 36-hole event.

He overcame a three-shot deficit, earning a four-shot victory over Padraic O’Rourke (Marine Drive Golf Club, Vancouver) to secure his first career Dick Munn Memorial Trophy.

The win marks Stinson’s second provincial title this season, following his record-setting PGA of BC Championship victory at Kamloops Golf & Country Club in August.

Stinson captured a cheque for $,3700. O’Rourke collected $2,700.

An opening even-par 72 left Stinson three strokes behind first-round co-leaders Alec Hubert (Gorge Vale Golf Club, Victoria), Sergej Dronov (Pacific Golf Academy, Richmond), and Rob Tadey (Fairview Mountain Golf Club, Oliver).

Stinson felt his opening-round performance gave him something to build on, with improved putting the priority for the final round.

“I just wanted to go out and putt a little bit better. I felt like I played well the day before, but didn’t quite get the score that I wanted,” said Stinson.

Birdies on the 2nd, 5th and 8th holes Tuesday brought Stinson to 3-under at the turn. He made four consecutive birdies from holes 11 through 14 before closing with four pars to complete his seven-under round.

“That always makes the round a little bit easier, not having to scramble and fight your way around a course like that, which I had to do the first day,” said Stinson. “So yeah, it was nice to have a bit of an easier round for round two.”

O’Rourke secured sole possession of second place at 3-under par with a closing 69. An eagle on the par-5 8th highlighted his round, while a bogey-free back nine helped him earn runner-up honours.

Okanagan golfers Mark Kitts (Shadow Ridge Golf Club, Kelowna) and Dave Munn (Shuswap National, Salmon Arm) shared third place at 2-under par. Each pocketed $1,750.

Kitts made six birdies during his final-round 69, while Munn posted consecutive rounds of 71 (-1). Hubert rounded out the top-five at 1-under par following a closing 74.

Dronov ended up seventh after a final-round 76, and Tadey came home with a 79 to finish 12th.

The result strengthens Stinson’s position in the PGA of BC Order of Merit race. Reflecting on his success this season, he credited support at home with helping him focus on his golf.

“It’s been a very busy year with changes with where I’m working, a renovation of the house. But, my family life has been awesome. My wife’s been super supportive, and I just feel like I’m getting all my ducks in a row,” said Stinson.

“It’s feeling like I know what my next 10 to 20 years is gonna look like, and that’s given me a lot of reassurance on the golf course. I can just go and play instead of having to worry about distracting things from the outside.”

Austin Bosquet from Vernon’s The Rise Resort cracked the top-10 with rounds of 76-71 to finish at 3-over 147. Bosquet earned $650.

Host club general manager Adam Blair ended up in the money, firing rounds of 77-76 to finish at 8-over 153, tied for 25th, and a cheque for $185.

Vernon head pro Brooks Jones had rounds of 75-80 to finish tied for 29th and out of the money.

Enderby’s Brian Schreiner served as a referee during the 36-hole event to ensure integrity and fair play in the tournament.