They spend most days helping make sure the fairways and greens of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club are in pristine condition.
But this past weekend, greenskeepers James Grigjanis-Meusel and Matt Szczurko were busy out on the course, this time dominating the men’s open competition of the annual club championships.
No one could catch the steady Grigjanis-Meusel, though, who won his third men’s club championship title in four years.
And perennial contender Martha Cruikshank took her ninth women’s open title, shooting 173 over the two days, five shots better than her closest competitor.
Grigjanis-Meusel, who for several years worked in the club’s pro shop, had an impressive two-day total of 1-under par 143 (70-73).
Runner-up Szczurko, helped by a handful of birdies on his final nine holes, was eight shots back at 151.
That birdie binge included a booming tee shot from the back tees, over the trees to the edge of the 16th green on Sunday. His 20-foot eagle putt came up just short.
Jon Taylor was third in the open division with 154 and with that performance defended his senior men’s crown. Last year’s open champion Ricky Watson was fourth with 156.
Taylor’s wife Ginny made it a family affair with two strong rounds en route to winning the senior women’s title.
She also helped contribute to the day’s most dramatic finish as she edged Lisa Allen in a one-hole playoff to win the senior division. The two had tied at 178, one shot ahead of Diana Dimmer.
The weekend featured some excellent golf and a variety of weather conditions, from Saturday’s thunder and lightning delay to Sunday’s beautiful sunshine.
The festivities wrapped up with a barbecue and trophy presentations near the ninth green.
Other women’s winners were:
Super Senior champion:Â Carroll Baker (171) with Margot Richardson second (185).
A Flight champion: Maria Townley (177), May Chang (186), Cathy Murray (201).
B Flight champion: Sharron Marlow (199), Marie Ellison (205), Cathy Taylor (217).
C Flight Champion:Â Sandie Boyer (208), Carolyn Porter (210), Caroline Cochrane (211).
Other men’s winners were:
Senior division: Close behind Taylor’s 154 total was runner-up Paul Dickson with 156. Previous champs Jim McMacken and Stephen Warboys finished at 160.
The Super Senior category was one of the most closely fought divisions. For the second straight year Gary Stuggins (157) prevailed. He edged out Ted Carmichael (158) and Rick Janes (159).
A Flight champion: Rob Reimer’s 162 won him his second straight A Flight title. Runners-up were Dan Regan (167) and Drew Porter (171).
B Flight champion:Â Rob Chubey (168), Kevin MacLean (171), John Reynolds (175).
C Flight champion: Johnson Hu (178), edging out Mike Henry (179) and Todd Watson (180).
D Flight champion: Martin Vagners (185), Bill Baitinger (199), Noel Morris (216).
The Legends Cup, for those 80-plus, was contested previously. Warren Tutton, with a nine-hole score of 38, was the winner.
The club’s junior champions also were decided earlier and there were some familiar names atop the leader board.
Sam Walker won the junior boys title and Keira Dexter was the junior girls champ, both for the third consecutive time.
Gavin Tomczuk was the bantam boys champion for the second time.