Rob Atatise Wins Thunder Bay District Amateur with a Final Round 64!
by Scott A. Sumner
I talked to Rob Atatise after his win of the mens Thunder Bay District Amateur, the most prestigous local golf event.
You had a tremendous final round this year!
“ A 64 is my lowest round at Whitewater let alone competitive. I shot 65 once before on mens night. So I was hitting it reasonably close today. My goal in mind was to shot 34-34, that was sort of the bar I set for myself. I hit pretty good and even missed a couple short ones so it could have been a little lower. I made an eagle on 12 from about 30 feet and that kick started the back nine when I was kind of loosing a little steam.”
What does it mean to win this event?
“ It means a lot to win this event, maybe my tenth time playing it cause I have been on and off of golf for the last 15 years. It was always something I looked forward and something I wanted to win. It is a major and to see the list of players who have won it in the past- with so many high calibre golfers.”
What made this year better for you?
“ I've been grinding pretty good for the last 3 years and taking it serious for the last 4 years. I did a grip change about four years ago, weakened the grip and that took about a year and the ball striking has been good. This year I figured out my short game, chipping and putting. That's has always been my struggle.
How did you approach the final round?
“ My mentality was to have a good start. With the wind we had which was a south east one, I figured holes 1,2 and 3 were gettable today so I birdied 2 and 3 and 4 so three under after 4, hang on through the middle part as usual and try to make a couple birdies coming in. I knew Scottie was playing well, Jason is unreal- one of the best players in the city without a question. We had a good battle with Scottie at the Strathcona Invitational where he beat me. Those are good players. I played the course and didn't really worry about the players as I figured if I could beat the course I could win.
Were you nervous today?
“ There were a bit of nerves today. I was actually struggling with a little miss to the right which had me nervous because I usually miss to the left as a leftie, but I was able to get a good little range session coming early.
Rob is going to BC soon to play with Team Ontario against Team BC in an Indigenous Challenge match at Bear Mountain in Victoria.
Rob is a lawyer practicing mostly in criminal.
Angela Daykin won the Women's Division
