Kirby returned this weekend to compete at Craig Wood again, and after grabbing a share of the lead on Saturday, he came through on Sunday by firing the only round below par to claim the tournament’s title for the first time.

With his two young children and expectant wife rooting him on at the course, the resident of Kahnawake, Quebec followed Saturday’s 74 with a two-under par 70 in the final round to easily win by nine strokes. His 70 on Sunday was the only sub-par round of the tournament.

“I brought my lucky charms with me. I wanted to win it for them,” Kirby said. “In 2009, I went to sleep with the lead but did not have the kind of day I wanted the next day. Today, I knew if I went even par or below, the win would be mine.

“I just hit fairways and greens and made uphill putts,” Kirby continued. “On this course, it’s very important to stay below the hole, and for the most part, I was able to do that. I just played the course.”

When asked if he’d be back next year, Kirby responded “Of course. I have a title to defend.”

A slew of golfers were in the hunt for a championship after Saturday’s rainy opening round. In the end, Lake Placid’s Don Mortensen and Bart Vanleuvan finished tied for second with 153 totals. Mortensen, who has a number of top-five finishes in the traditional end-of-summer tournament, shot rounds of 77 and 76, and Vanleuvan followed his first-day 78 with a 75 on Sunday.

Last year’s champion, Greg Wilson of Canada, placed fourth with a 156.

Meanwhile, in the tournament’s Ray Randall senior division, Quebec’s Mickey Batten successfully defended his title with a 178 total.

Fresh off winning the Canadian Men’s Super Senior Championship less than two weeks ago at the Capilano Country Club in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Batten shot two rounds of 74 to win by a dozen strokes. Also an avid hiker who has climbed numerous peaks during his trips to the Adirondacks, Batten said solid putting was a key to victory.

“I think the greens at Capilano were pretty similar to the greens here, and that really helped,” said Batten, who has competed in the Craig Wood tournament more than 30 times while walking away with a bunch of titles. “I had two three-putts Saturday and I don’t think I had any today. After playing at Capilano, I felt pretty familiar with the greens here.”

Lake Placid’s Robi Politi was runner-up in the Ray Randall division with rounds of 77 and 83 and a 160 total. Thomas Haefner placed third, firing a 79 and 85 to finish with a 164.

On hand at the course on Sunday to greet the golfers was Lucille Randall, who turns 100 next month. The senior division trophy is named after her late husband, who was a friend and golfing partner of Craig Wood.

Next year, the Craig Wood-Ray Randall Invitational will celebrate its 50 anniversary.