Local golfer nabs win at Post Falls tournament
SANDPOINT — There were an awful lot of golfers rooting against Sandpoint's Russ Brisboy on Sunday as the Elks Club Championship final round began.
Such is the case when you've won eight consecutive titles, and your fellow competitors continually offer friendly barbs about rooting for an underdog to pull off the upset.
It didn't happen, as Brisboy shot 69-74 in the two-day tournament, edging Sandpoint golfer Dave Dillon (69-75) by one stroke Sunday to make it nine consecutive titles.
"He's a tough man to bring down," said Dillon before the final round, noting that he was going to give it his best shot. "He's a wizzard. He works hard at his game, so he deserves every tournament he wins."
Brisboy, 50, was born and raised in Sandpoint. He said he likes the competition and just being out with the guys, even if he catches some grief sometimes. While Sunday's win was impressive, it's small potatoes compared to what he's setting his future sights on: The Champions Tour, better known as the senior pro golf tour.
Two weeks ago he shot 70-68 to win the Prarie Falls Amateur Tournament, part of the Toyota Series of Golf, qualifying him for the locally televised Shootout at the Fairways on Sept. 21. While his two-day score of 158 was good enough to win and would thrill most golfers, Brisboy, who sports a one handicap, said he can do much better.
He'll have to if he wants to make a serious run at the Champions Tour — playing alongside the likes of Tom Watson, Curtis Strange, Tom Kite and Bernhard Langer — which requires an arduous qualifying process. There is an upcoming tournament in Seattle where the top eight players qualify, as well as a Q-school in November, both of which Brisboy is entertaining thoughts of playing in.
"I'm probably going to," he said, adding that he's not 100 percent sure yet. "The more I think about it, you only live once."
Brisboy has both the skills and demeanor required to excel at golf. He modestly says he now drives the ball straight and that he used to be a good putter, adding that some folks say he still is.
"The guy can go out there and shoot a 29," said Jay Van Den Berg of the rumored low score at the Elks nine hole track. "He's one of those guys who's unflappable, good at everything he does."
Elks club pro Tom Tharp says the senior tour is a very selective group, but that if Brisboy puts his mind to it and can hang in there, he certainly has a chance. Dillon, who just lost by one stroke to Brisboy, seems a little more sure.
"He's going to make that senior tour," said Dillon. "If I was a betting man, I'd bet on it."