BURNABY — The NCAA transfer portal has created a free-agent frenzy of sorts for collegiate golfers. Following two solid years at Weber State in Utah, Nanaimo’s Matthew Wilson threw his name into the hopper this spring and got plenty of interest.
“The portal opened on June 4 and I put my name in there and had 10 or 20 schools reach out the very first day,” Wilson said in an interview after his first round of the B.C. Amateur Championship at Riverway Golf Course in Burnaby. “There were a lot of stressful phone calls, but I accepted an offer on the first day.”
That offer came from the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, which is resurrecting its golf program after a nine-year hiatus. “A bunch of these rich oil guys came in and donated a bunch of money to get it going again,” Wilson said. “So they had quite a bit of money to put into their program this year to pick up players out of the portal and throw a lot of money at them and get the program started hot.”
Wilson, a former B.C. Juvenile Boys champion, is coming off two solid seasons at Weber State, where he established himself as the school’s No. 1 player. He won a collegiate tourney this past season, added six top-10 finishes and was fourth at his conference championship.
Matthew Wilson Tees Off On Riverway's First Hole In The BC Amateur - BC Golf Photo
Wilson said Tulsa’s offer included a better scholarship as well as some money. He wouldn’t disclose how much. “I think it’s going to be a great time,” he said of the move to Tulsa. We play Southern Hills, a major championship golf course, and a bunch of other private clubs down there. Oklahoma Is a great golfing state.”
Wilson opened the B.C. Amateur with an even-par 71 in Monday’s first round. He had it to four-under at one point in his round. “I felt great on my front nine, which was the back side,” he said. “I was making putts and then kind of just slowed down the rest of the day. I think I was a little fatigued. But there are some low scores out there. You just can’t shoot yourself out of it in the first round. I’m excited about the rest of the week.”
HOME COURSE ADVANTAGE: It’s safe to say that no one in the field for this week’s 124th playing of the B.C. Amateur Championship knows Riverway Golf Course as well as Burnaby native Denby Carswell. “I always joke that whenever I am no No. 14 I am closer to my house than my car,” Carswell said. “I definitely feel like this is a home-course advantage for me.”
As a Riverway neighbour, Carswell literally grew up on Riverway’s fairways. “There was a time when I played here three times a week over the summer,” Carswell said. “I figure I have played here at least 200 times.” Carswell was disappointed he didn’t take advantage of his intimate knowledge of the course. He opened the tournament with a three-over 74.
Former SFU Men's Golf Team Member Denby Carswell Is Heading South To Western Washington - BC Golf Photo
“Not the outcome I was hoping for,” he said. “I left a lot out there today, so that means there’s a lot out there for me tomorrow. That’s my mindset. I know this course better than anyone. There’s definitely some low scores out there on this course, I just have to find them.”
Carswell has spent the last four years playing NCAA Division II golf for Simon Fraser University. He’s finishing his communications degree this summer and is heading to Western Washington University in Bellingham this fall to pursue a graduate degree in energy policy and will play his final year of collegiate golf for the Vikings.
“This a good place to start a new chapter for me,” he said. “I am excited for what is to come next year. I am grateful for the opportunity SFU gave me.”
SOLID START: Kris Yardley was a once a regular B.C. Amateur Championship participant. That seems like a long time ago for the Maple Ridge native, who is now 53. “I have not played in this since the 1990s,” Yardley said after opening the event with a one-under 70.
“I decided to play it this year because it’s local and I have been playing better. The kids are getting older so I have had time to play and practice. I just thought I’d take one last kick at the can and see what I could do.”
Kris Yardley Is Back Competing In The BC Amateur After Over Twenty Years Absence - BC Golf Photo
Yardley recently joined the new Surrey Police Service after a lengthy stint with the RCMP. “When I first joined the RCMP I was working in Burnaby so we’d come here after a work a little bit,” said Yardley, who was part of B.C.’s winning team at this year’s Lamey Cup competition at Victoria Golf Club.
“So I remember the course. “I just stayed out of trouble today. I had three birdies and two bogeys. I was pretty cautious today. I probably could and should have been a little bit better. Anything under par today is a good. I didn’t realize it was as good as it was until I looked at the leaderboard.”