Barry Caland Completes Dream Season With A Third Major Win
By Scot A. Sumner
www.golfingnews.ca
When you set lofty goals you put lots of pressure on yourself. That is just what Thunder Bay golfer Barry Caland did and he responded exceptionally well winning the Thunder Bay District Amateur by 4 shots over last years winner Andrew Scavarelli , to sweep the majors this season. " I was a bit nervous at the beginning of the day. It is is just the nature of the beast. I woke up before my alarm today and couldn’t get back to sleep. The first few holes I was a bit nervous but I said to myself I have played this course a couple hundred times and should be able to get it around," smiled a drained Barry Caland." It was so windy and I was trying to guard against mistakes. I did not play my best but played smart instead of aggressive. Andrew struggled on the front and then Mark Williannen put some pressure on me. He got into a jam on the 12 th hole and I made par. The lead was down to 2 at one time and then it was up to 4 or 5. Andrew played the last 4 or 5 holes well and made me work for it."
" I am too tired now to focus on what winning all majors in one year. means. I know it is special. If I would have blown it I would have been disappointed. It makes me closer to the all time major winner, Trevor Jones who has 12 wins," said Caland who now has 10 major wins. " The first major this season was the most important to get out of the way. During the off season I worked on my putting. In Nov I had surgery on my back to have a cyst removed and for the first time in the last 10 years I had no back pain. I was putting a lot and it has improved my results . I will start fresh next and try to gt off to a good start in 2009. Winning is an addictive thing and it is always more fun to win. Next year is my last full summer in my 30’s so I will work hard."
Caland shot a 76 the last day at Whitewater and won by 4 by Andrew Scaverelli. " I hit a couple of bad drives at the start and I knew I can hit my 3 wood straight. On 12 both the guys hit it in the bush with driver and I used my 3 wood, a placement club," said Caland. " My buddy Rooster ( Ron Rost) caddies for me. On 18 Rooster wouldn't let me hit driver so I hit the 3 wood in play. The grinding and stressing is done. I will get my hair cut now and then do the
Whitewater Club Championship."
This has been Barry Calands best season winning all three majors and 5 out of 7 events with one to go. He lost the FWCC Invitational with partner Dr. Alan Kirk by 1 shot. " I am going to do nothing except maybe play some hockey for a few months and then fold some towels for Rooster at the Gardens during the Thunderwolve games. I am deeply indebted to him for all his hard work as caddie for me this season. After that I will do the putting again as I have a
putting centre in my basement."
The "First Ever" District Amateur Senior Flight Winner - Guy Wolframe
First Flight Winner - Andrew Scavarelli
Second Flight Winner - Tony Stokaluk
Third Flight Winner - Mike Prystanski
Barry Caland had his hair cut of f at the final Whitewater Men's Night of 2008 by Cliff Friesen. He raised $5300 for cancer research and donated his hair which hadn't been cut for 2 years to the hair for wigs program for cancer patients!
