Cyderman bests Rank 4 and 3 in Idylwylde Invitational

Braeden Cryderman bid a memorable farewell to the Idylwylde Invitational, at least for the time being.

The 23 year-old Huntsville native and recent graduate of the University of Carolina Charlotte 49ers golf program took down Kyle Rank 4 and 3 in the final of the 66th edition of the local golf tradition Sunday afternoon.

With his sights set on turning pro in October, it's unlikely, at this time, that Cryderman will be back next summer to defend his crown. He turned the trick this year after eliminating Greg Vance in the opening round before mounting an impressive comeback to slide past Vince Palladino 2 and 1 in the quarter finals.

“I didn't hit it well on the front nine and he was three up,” said Cryderman of his showdown with the six-time tournament champion. “On the back nine, I just kind of found something. I hit it good, putted well and really just fought back.”

The victory provided a touch of revenge for Cryderman after Palladino bested him 6 and 4 last year in the first round of championship flight match play last year.

Gathering a head of steam, Cryderman was now on a roll.

“I kind of kept the momentum going and made some putts, which is nice,” he said. “I was really consistent. I kept myself in every hole.”

Cryderman wasted little time disposing of Owen Rigg in the Sunday morning semifinal, ousting the Timmins native 7 and 5.

With the remaining semifinal going three extra holes, a rested Cryderman had the upper hand heading into the grand finale.

“I think it definitely helped,” he said. “I got off to a pretty good start and (Rank) kind of started off slow — but he fought all day.”

That he did.

Up three with three holes to play in his semifinal match with defending champion Ryan Hagger, Rank had to overcome a furious rally from the Blind River native, who won out to force a playoff.

The pair parred both the first and second hole before Rank made a nice up and down from the right side bunker on three, getting the better of Hagger.

In the end, he could not slow down the Cryderman freight train that steamed to victory in just his second appearance at the Sudbury tournament.

“It feels great,” said Cryderman. “I've never won a match-play tournament, though I've only played in a few. It's my first win in a while.”

In fact, it was only through the help of local golfers Gary and Brennan Doyle that Cryderman happened upon the Idylwylde one year ago.

Sidelined due to a shoulder surgery for six months leading into last summer, Cryderman was not about to receive any exemptions, needing to rely on the good word of acquaintances to gain entry into worthwhile events.

Enter the Doyle father and son family connection.

Things might soon be different for Cryderman.

“I'm hoping to play in some Canadian tour events as an amateur in August,” he said. “I plan on turning pro in October.”

Nothing like going out on top.

In the remaining match-play flights, Kevin Philipow beat Spencer Berk 3 and 2 in the first flight, Paul Raycroft upended Grant Fullerton to take flight No. 2 while Pat Laferriere slipped past Larry Vander Bie 2 and 1 in the third flight final.