Brett Blackstock rallied from a late three-stroke deficit to win his second Estevan Oilfield Technical Society (OTS) Oilmen's 36-hole golf tournament in three years over the weekend at the Estevan Woodlawn Golf Course.
Blackstock trailed front-runner and 2009 champion Nolan Rohatyn by three strokes entering the 17th hole. But Blackstock birdied 17 and 18 to finish with an even-par 71, while Rohatyn – playing in the group behind Blackstock – made a par on the 17th but bogeyed the 18th to also finish with a 71.
“I knew I'd be even-par, and that's what I wanted to play for,” said Blackstock. “I thought that the guys behind us were playing a lot better than what their scores were. I thought that at even-par, I'd be second or third; I didn't think I'd be (tied for) first.”
Blackstock again birdied 18 during the first playoff hole, while Rohatyn's birdie putt slid just past the hole, giving Blackstock the title.
Blackstock also won the OTS tournament in 2008.
Pat Murphy and Rick Pesola tied for third in the 36-hole tournament with a 74. Dan McKersie was fifth with a 75.
Golfers in the 36-hole event played 18 holes on Friday or Saturday to determine their flight. Then they played 18 holes on Sunday. The score on Sunday was used to determine the tournament champion and flight winners.
Mike Ross was the tournament's low medallist for shooting the lowest score, a 72, in the opening round.
Bill Stanley won the over-55 master's tournament with an 80. Rick Rohatyn was second with an 81.
Tim Lequyer won the 18-hole portion of the tournament with a 74. Mike Currie and Stu Micheyluck were tied for second with a 75. Golfers in the 18-hole tournament played one round on either Friday or Saturday.
A total of 396 golfers were registered for this year's tournament.
(Watch Friday's edition of Lifestyles, or come back to www.sasklifestyles.com on Friday, for more on the tournament).