Saint Francis Golfer Cards 13-Under 59 On Championship Course in Canada

LORETTO, Pa. (June 14, 2006) – Saint Francis senior golfer Nick Wheeler (Ingersoll, Ontario/Ingersoll Collegiate) fired a remarkable 13-under-par 59 at Forest City National, in London, Ontario, setting the course record, on June 6.

Wheeler, whose story made the front page of The London Free Press, carded birdies on the first six holes of the course. He had only 20 putts in his round, and fired a 7-under-par 29 on the front nine. The single-round 59 is also believed to be a London city record.

According to The London Free Press article, only Phil Mickelson, Annika Sorenstam and Al Geiberger have shot 59 in major U.S. professional tournament play.

Wheeler’s record was witnessed by club pro Gil Parkinson and members Don Reed and Justin Sherriff. He shattered the previous course mark of 62, set in 1998 by Tim Clark, now a PGA Tour player. The course measured 6,850 yards for Wheeler’s record.

Wheeler works on the greens crew and his father, Scott, is the club superintendent. He finished his record round with birdies on the 15, 17 and 18. On 18, he struck his 25-foot putt firmly and the ball hit dead center into the back of the hole. The ball bounced up in the air and fell back into the cup.

Wheeler wrapped up his junior year at Saint Francis by finishing 15th at the Northeast Conference Championships to help the Red Flash win their first-ever conference title. He carded a 75-80-155 at the Palm Golf Course at Walt Disney World, in Orlando, Fla.