11 July 1996

Venue
    Banff Springs, British Columbia Canada
 

Players
    Michael Hauser
    Steve Da Costa
 

 Round 1: Banff Springs
 

Date	11th July 1996
Par	72 (36,36)
Length	6626 yards
Weather	Warm
Fairways	Fair, patchy
Greens	Good

Its difficult to find words to describe the Banff Springs Golf Course set in the middle of the Canadian Rockies. Towering
     snow capped mountains, roaring rivers, fir trees and roaming elk on the fairway make it difficult to concentrate on the
     game. Overlooked by the impressive Banff Springs Hotel, the course is a gem to play.

      
The Banff Springs clubhouse and Hotel                         Mike tees off on the 10th hole
 
 
 

Signature hole at the Banff Spring Golf Course is the Par 3 fourth hole, aptly named "The Cauldron". An accurate iron is required from an elevated tee, out over a swampy lake to a small green protected by large bunkers and fir trees to the back. Club selection is tough, and accuracy all important, both Steve and Mike took fives on this hole but Im sure there has been a lot worse.
  The Cauldron was also scene to a near tragedy for a little Japanese golfer in the group ahead of us. Taking the corner a little wide in the steep descent from the tee, he rolled his golf cart almost on top of him! Pretty shaken, he dusted himself off, gritted his teeth and kept playing, now thats determination or sheer stupidity!!!!

Tournament Commentary - Courtesy KGTV
".Mike managed to take a three shot lead into the back nine, thanks to solid pars on the 8th and 9th holes.
 But Steve stumbled early on the back nine opening the door for Mike to take the title. Both Mike and Steve hit form over the final two holes with pars all round.   It must be mentioned that Steve was under added pressure during the game, it was his final day of single freedom as he was getting  married the next day!!!!
 

Toughest hole - 12th Par 4 420 yards (Index: 4)
 Hole description -
Mike: Double Bogey,
Steve: Triple Bogey
 
 

Final Results
 

	Out	In	Total	Putts Out	Putts In	Putts Total	G.I.R.	Birdies	Pars	Bogeys	Dbl Bogeys	Other
Steve	49	52	101	-	-	-	-	-	3	5	6	4
Mike	46	46	92	-	-	-	-	-	4	7	5	2
Par	36	35	71

 

Final Placings

1. Mike Hauser
2. Steve Da Costa