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RBC Open fans show great support for Canadian amateur du Toit By Herb Garbutt Oakville Beaver staff 31 | Thursday, July 28, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com As Jared du Toit's eagle putt rolled toward the hole, the decibel level grew like a tidal wave, as if the sound could push the ball into the hole. Anyone who had just been dropped at Glen Abbey's 18th green with no knowledge of what was going on in the RBC Canadian Open would have assumed the 21-year-old was putting for the tournament victory. And given that the Kimberley, B.C. native is an amateur, there wasn't any money on the line -- just good old Canadian pride. When his putt rolled by the left edge of the cup and settled inches beyond the hole, a collective groan washed over the green, followed quickly by a rousing cheer in appreciation of what du Toit had accomplished. When he tapped in for birdie to finish nine-under, du Toit's ninthplace finish had equaled the best by an amateur since 1956 when Doug Saunders won the tournament. Jared du Toit (red shirt) acknowledges the applause of the fans as he walks up the 18th fairway at Glen Abbey Sunday. The Canadian amateur finished tied for 9th, matching the best finish by an amateur since 1956. | photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver "Honestly, I had no expectations coming into this week. I thought maybe if I play well and make the cut," he said. "I honestly didn't know. To come out this week and play well, top-10 feels really good." The Arizona State University student jumped into contention with an opening round 67 and despite the mounting pressure of carrying a nation's hopes, stayed in contention throughout the weekend. The 60th ranked amateur in the world -- a standing which will no doubt improve significantly -- entered the final round one shot off the lead. With one-under 71 he finished just three shots back of Jhonattan Vegas, who surged past the field with a final round of 64 to win at 12-under. And though Vegas won, nobody shined brighter in the eyes of Canadian fans than du Toit. On the 11th hole, du Toit received a big cheer from the crowd. When Brandt Snedeker, his partner in the final pairing, walked by a minute later to a smattering of applause, someone yelled out `We love you too, Brandt.' He would birdie the hole, reigniting the hopes of a Canadian winning for the first time since Pat Fletcher in 1954. Even on his final approach to 18, du Toit seemed capable of blocking out the enormity of the situation. From 200 yards out, he hit his approach over the pond to 17 feet from of the pin. The crowd roared and waved Canadian flags as he walked to the green. "It was awesome," du Toit said of the reception. "I probably could have shot 100 out here and they would have been behind my back all day. Honestly, unbelievable." Even Snedeker realized what was going on and finished up his putt leaving the green clear for du Toit to close the tournament. "Obviously I would have liked that putt to fall," he said. "That would have got them going pretty good." Du Toit had them going pretty good all week and in the absence the final hole dramatics provided by Jason Day and Bubba Watson, du Toit provided the fans, and himself, with some lasting memories. Three Blue Devils players chosen for League1 Ontario all-star game The Oakville Blue Devils will be represented by three players at the League1 Ontario's inaugural all-star soccer game on Wednesday, Aug. 3. The trio -- defenders Al James and Eric Crawford and forward Felipe Vilela -- were all the top vote getters at their positions. The rosters for the game were announced today. The Blue Devils will be playing for the West Division team against the East. The teams were selected by club coaches and league officials. Every League1 Ontario team will be represented. Commissioner Dino Rossi said League1 Ontario leads the province, if not the country, in soccer player development. "Our first All-Star Game is an opportunity to showcase some of that great talent," he said. The All-Star game will be broadcast through the League1 Ontario Livestream channel. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for those under-12 who are accompanied by an adult. Vaughan stifles Oakville's Ontario Cup hopes Two of the four semifinalists for the under-21 men's Ontario Cup were from Oakville, but when the championship trophy was lifted on Sunday, it was Vaughan Azzurri players celebrating a provincial championship. Azzurri defeated the Oakville Soccer Club 2-0 in the championship game in Vaughan after edging the Oakville Blue Devils Elite 3-2 in the semifinals. OSC advanced to the final by defeating the Wexford Hi-Profile 3-2. It was the third Ontario Cup win for Vaughan in as many years. Oakville had more than its share of the ball in the first 25 minutes of the opening half, but couldn't beat Liam McQueenie, the Scarborough netminder. His counterpart, Michael Costanza, prevented Scarborough from scoring the rest of the half. Vaughan scored the only goal it would need when Liuka Milidragovic hammered home a half volley in the box off a corner kick in the 50th minute. It was the same situation 10 minutes later and Milidragovic again connected when his headed ball ricochetted off the post and the Burlington goalie before finding the back of the net. Three other Ontario Cup champions were crowned on Sunday -- St. Catharines won the women's U21 title, Ancaster Titans took the U18 boys' title and Darlington won the U18 girls' crown. East All-Stars GK - Matt George (Woodbridge Strikers) GK - Mark Rogal (North Toronto) D - Bruce Cullen (Durham United FA) D ­ Niba McDonald (North Toronto) D - Nyal Higgins (Vaughan) D - Stephen Almeida (Woodbridge) D - Cameron Brooks (Woodbridge) D - Eric Koskins (Kingston) MF - Jonathan Lao (Vaughan) MF - Dylan Carreiro (Woodbridge) MF - Tyrell Rayne (Masters) MF - Jarek Whiteman (Vaughan) MF - Stefan Lamanna (Durham United FA) MF - Ryan Reid (Toronto Skillz) F - Kilian Elkinson (North Toronto) F - Kashiff De Jonge (Durham United FA) F - Simon Adjei (Aurora United) F - Andrew Martin (Kingston) West All-Stars GK - Matt Zaikos (Sanjaxx) GK - Anthony Sokalski (FC London) D - Stephen Al-Sayed (FC London) D - Al James (Oakville Blue Devils) D - Eric Crawford (Oakville Blue Devils) D - Jerome Smith (Sigma FC) D - Rocco Romeo (Toronto FC) D - Jamar Kelly (Windsor) MF - Chris Nanco (Sigma FC) MF/F - Joey Melo (North Mississauga) MF - Kota Sakurai (Toronto FC) MF - Lee Victor Massunda (N. Mississauga) MF ­ Kwame Awuah (Sigma FC) MF/F - Erick Olazabal (Pro Stars) F - Elvir Gigolaj (FC London) F - Leaford Allen (Sigma) F - Felipe Vilela (Oakville Blue Devils) F/MF - Mike Pio (Windsor) OAKVILLE SOCCER CLUB Week Ten Photo Contest Winner: Photographer: John Angelis Age Division: GU 17/18 Scholars Education Centre and Pizza Pizza Oakville Beaver A Proud Sponsor of Oakville Soccer Club Sponsored by: