Jamie Core smiled a bit as he walked off the 18th green Friday after his opening round at the 2010 Royal Oaks Invitational Tournament.
His score — a 4-over-par 76 — was not what he had hoped for, but he finished strong, going 2-under on the back-nine.
Plus, no matter what happens this weekend, Royal Oaks Country Club will remain a special place for Core, a junior-to-be at the University of California.
A year ago, Core fired a 5-under 67 in the final round, rallying for his first stroke-play championship since he left his home in Canada to enroll at Cal.
It was a big moment for Core, coming in a big tournament.
The Royal Oaks Invitational, with 200 players including several from the Pac-10, is one of the most prestigious amateur events in the Northwest.
“Coming out here, putting on these greens again, and being in this place, with the tree-lined fairways … I like courses like this,” Core said. “It’s really good for my game. I feel real comfortable here.”
However, he added that it might be difficult to believe that statement after his 42 on the front nine Friday.
But it is not like this tournament is made for defending champions. The last ROIT champion to defend his crown was Dave Glenz in 1971, when he won his third consecutive title. There have been several multiple ROIT winners since then, but not back-to-back.
Core’s opening round Friday will mean he will have to rally, but he knows how to do that in Vancouver. He was six strokes behind the leader after the opening round last year and three back heading into the final round.
“There’s still room. I got a little bit of confidence coming in with the back-nine,” Core said. “Saturday is moving day. I’ll try to fire at the pins and make some moves.”
Believing is almost as important as execution in this sport. Core said his golf life has not been the same since last June’s victory here.
“It changed my whole perspective on tournaments in general,” he said. “I go in really thinking I can win. After that win, it took my game to another level. It gave me the confidence to know that I can do it.”
The 67 was his best score of his career to that point. Since then, he has fired a 66 at a fall tournament in California. He also won another tournament in California last summer.
Core grew up in Montreal, alternating between hockey and golf. Yes, golf in the land of hockey.
“The summers are absolutely beautiful back home,” Core said. “And the inside driving range is five minutes from my home. You just have to keep your swing (in the winter).”
At 5-foot, 6-inches, he might not seem the prototypical hockey player, but he had to make a decision after high school because he received offers to play college hockey.
“I wanted to keep my teeth,” he joked about his reasoning.
Actually, he just fell in love with California during his visit.
An injured back slowed his progress early in his freshman year with the Golden Bears. He underwent a major swing change over the winter to take pressure off his back, which added a bit of consistency to his game. The changes took time to click, but he found his groove at Royal Oaks.
Still, only five players are allowed per team to play in matches for college golf. The competition just within a team is intense. Core played four tournaments for Cal this past school year.
“It really humbles you, that’s for sure,” Core said of Pac-10 golf.
He did play in the Pac-10 championships, scoring 74-73-74-73 for the four rounds.
“Not great, but not too bad,” he said. “Overall, my consistency has improved the last year-and-a-half.” His goals for the future include playing more tournaments for Cal. But he said it is more important for him to focus on his studies. He is majoring in business.
“I want to get my education, then try to go pro,” he said.
For now, with his amateur status, he will enjoy coming back to Royal Oaks.
He got a victory last year. He is confident that he can perform well in today’s round and Sunday’s final round.
And he hopes to have a smile on his face when he walks off the course — with all of his teeth.
