Two eagles propel Mitchell Fox to first-round lead at PGA Assistants’ Championship presented by Callaway Golf
(St. Andrews, NB) – It was Mitchell Fox’s day at Algonquin Golf Club in St. Andrews, New Brunswick on Monday as the Speargrass Golf Club Apprentice Professional played his final 12 holes of the day 8-under par to fire a 65 to take the first-round lead at the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf.
“I played good, I’m pretty pleased with it,” said Fox, who is a part of the Team Alberta Inter-Zone Team for the second-consecutive year. “I was slow through the first eight holes and eagled nine and then from there took off and played the final 10 holes 7-under, so I’m pretty happy with It.”
Following three pars from 12-14, Fox finished strong, following up birdies on 15 and 16 with a tap-in eagle on 17 he said he hit to one foot.
“The golf course is awesome,” said Fox. “You get lost on the back nine with all the views and forget you’re playing a tournament at the same time. The town is cool too, we’ve had a good time since we’ve been here the past few days.”
The Inter-Zone Championship wraps up tomorrow, with Fox and the team from Alberta looking for their second win in as many years. Fox says that the quality of the players from Alberta doesn’t hurt to play against week in and week out.
“There are five or 10 guys in Alberta that you have to shoot double digits (under) to beat, so you get used to it playing against Wes (Heffernan) and Riley (Fleming). It’s just like playing at home for me, you know they’re going to be near the top almost all the time.”
One back of Fox is the ever-consistent Kevin Stinson, who finished as the runner up at both this event and the BetRegal PGA Championship of Canada last year.
“There’s not really (any added motivation because of that), both guys that won played excellent,” said Stinson, mentioning the stand-out performances from Branson Ferrier and Riley Fleming in 2021. “I’m going to just play my game, add them up at the end and see where it stands.”
As many of the players did throughout the day, Stinson also raved about the layout at Algonquin Golf Club.
“The whole stretch from 12 on is right on the water and is just gorgeous,” said Stinson. “It’s a real treat. Coming from the west coast, we don’t really have courses quite like this.”
The second round of the PGA Assistant’s Championship of Canada will begin at 8:00 A.M. on Tuesday morning.