Vancouver’s Belle rings up golf win over Vernon rivals
Published 4:30 pm Monday, July 13, 2026
It was, indeed, a beautiful Sunday in the Okanagan for Michael Belle.
The Vancouver Golf Club member held off a late charge from Matthew Kreutz of the Vernon Golf and Country Club to capture the 73rd annual Ogopogo Invitational Men’s Tournament at the Kelowna Golf and Country Club July 12.
Belle finished the 54-hole championship at 14-under par, with Kreutz the runner-up at 12-under. Kyle McMurphy of Vernon’s Predator Ridge Golf Resort posted a solid final-round 69 to finish third at 10-under par.
A thrilling final round capped off the tournament, with outstanding golf on display throughout the day.
The leading foursome remained tightly contested through the front nine, but Belle began to pull away with birdies on holes 11, 12, and 14.
Standing on the 16th tee, Belle held a three-shot advantage with just three holes remaining.
The door of victory cracked open just for a moment on the 16th hole when Belle’s tee shot found a stand of trees to the left of the fairway, forcing him to chip back into play. Kreutz, meanwhile, delivered an excellent drive and approach, leaving himself a 10-foot putt for eagle.
Belle recovered to save par, while Kreutz narrowly missed the eagle attempt and settled for birdie, trimming the lead to two shots.
That’s as close as Kreutz or anyone else got to Belle. Both golfers played the final two holes in even par.
Overall Low Net honours were claimed by Kerry Grittner of Chilliwack Golf & Country Club. The Low Interior Amateur Trophy was awarded to Oakley Mayner of Kelowna Golf & Country Club, while the Low Senior Trophy went to Bryan Killins of Vancouver Golf Club.
Top honours among the Kelowna Golf & Country Club competitors went to Oakley Mayner and James Casorso, who both finished at 6-under par. Mayner also recorded the low round of the day with an impressive 67.
Off the course, the Annual Ogopogo Barbecue raised $3,180 for the Kelowna Community Food Bank, while the Special Events Night generated $1,000 in support of the KGCC Junior Development Fund.
The success of the tournament would not have been possible without the tremendous support of the club’s volunteers.
Approximately 100 volunteer shifts were filled by dedicated club members.