Locke, representing Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club based near Cochrane finished regulation tied at nine-under-par before he secured the national title.
Cochrane’s Eric Locke captured the PGA Head Teaching Professional Championship of Canada supported by UpSwing Golf after a dramatic back-and-forth battle with Kevin Stinson ended in a playoff, while Adam Bruce completed a wire-to-wire victory at the PGA Head Professional Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf at Redwoods Golf Club.
Locke, representing Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club based near Cochrane, and Stinson, of Chilliwack Golf Club, finished regulation tied at nine-under-par before he secured the national title on the first playoff hole with a superb bunker shot that left him a tap in for victory. Meanwhile, Bruce of Northern Bear Golf Club maintained his four-stroke overnight advantage to win the Head Professional Championship at six-under-par.
Locke and Stinson traded blows throughout the final round of the Head Teaching Professional Championship, with Matthew Mah of Mill Woods Golf Course adding pressure from the group ahead with a round-of-the-day 66.
Mah made an eagle on the par-five 14th to move within two strokes of the lead, setting the stage for a pivotal stretch. Locke answered with an eagle of his own on No. 14, while Stinson made birdie to give Locke a one-shot advantage.
The momentum continued to swing over the closing holes. Locke three-putted the 16th to surrender his lead, while Stinson had opportunities to move ahead but missed short putts on Nos. 16 and 17. Both players remained deadlocked heading to the 18th, where Locke had a chance to win in regulation but missed his putt, sending the championship to a playoff.
On the first extra hole, Locke found the greenside bunker but produced an exceptional recovery, leaving himself a tap-in for the victory. Stinson’s lengthy birdie attempt from approximately 15 feet missed, allowing Locke to claim his first national championship.
“It’s just beyond words, to be more than honest,” said Locke, who had won his share of Zone events but had never captured a national title. “It’s something I never really thought I was going to do or have an opportunity to do.”
Despite the pressure of the final holes and the playoff, Locke said the competition was as enjoyable as it was intense.
“Kevin and I were driving up to the green and we just looked at each other and said, ‘How much fun is this?’” Locke said. “Just competing, going back and forth.”
Locke also credited Stinson’s ball-striking throughout the back nine, acknowledging that his opponent created plenty of opportunities but couldn’t quite convert enough of them.
“He hit the ball beautifully on the back nine, had tons of opportunities and hit a lot of good putts,” Locke said. “Sometimes it’s just the way it falls.”