Just when you think you’ve seen everything, the Idylwylde Invitational throws you another curveball (or a hook or a slice, more appropriately).

Many of the previous 77 editions of the storied mid-July golf tournament in Sudbury have featured a championship final that has been decided on the 18th hole – or beyond.

And so it was that two-time champion Kyle Rank and recent McMaster University graduate Sam Coons strolled down the scenic vista nicely into the evening hours all Sunday, their showdown for the coveted green jacket all squared.

Both men would card a par five on the hole – but as the assembled gallery moved toward #1 and the pending playoff drama, something was askew. It turns out that after moving his ball out of the line off a Kyle Rank putt from just off the green, Sam Coons neglected to move his ball back over the few inches it was displaced, prior to striking a putt of his own.

Apparently, rule 14.7 is quite emotionless - and laden with crystal clear consequences.

The loss of the hole in match play allowed the 43 year-old Rank to register his third Idylwylde victory but first since 2016, unfortunately in a fashion that few on hand truly liked (but is, undeniably, the proper ruling).

“My heart goes out to him,” said Rank, a native of Elmira who has also lost in the final on three occasions (2019, 2018, 2013) and has qualified for championship flight play at least 15 times. “It’s just an awful way to have it finish. It sucks, honestly.”

If the ending made for a slightly more subdued celebration for Rank and his supporters, it did little to detract from the sense of pride of what was an outstanding weekend overall for the man who bested Aiden Deng, low qualifier Joey Kremer and Chris Bevan on route to his victory.

“Honestly, I didn’t think this would ever happen again,” said Rank. “I won ten years ago and Father Time kind of catches up with you. But I’ve been playing good golf and I probably played some of the best golf I have ever played at the Idylwylde this weekend, which was awesome.”

After surviving a pair of playoff matches in making his way to the final – including a seven hole classic versus junior Camden Poirier in the round of 16 Saturday morning – Sam Coons gave the more experienced Rank all he could handle in their showdown.

Rank was up one at the turn but this one went back and forth, with Coons grabbing the lead at 12, dropping 14 and 15 but then sticking his tee shot on 17 to within four feet of the pin to set up an 18th hole to remember.

“Match play is interesting because the momentum can go back and forth really quickly,” said Coons, who graciously agreed to do an interview in spite of this heart-breaking loss. “When I have the momentum on my side, I try and keep it that way. When it’s not on my side, I try and change it.”

Coons was making his second appearance at the Invite, qualifying for championship flight in 2024 but beaten in the first round by Joey Kremer before having to pass one year ago, unable to get the time off work.

“I love match play,” said the 26 year-old former OUA golfer who took home top spot at the Slater Bowl, an in-house match play tournament for the top 16 golfers of the prestigious Hamilton Golf & Country Club. “It’s more of a mental grind, I find. Physically, I have so much adrenaline going that I don’t really notice my body being tired.”

With the quality of golfer entered in the tournament as high as it’s ever been, the Friday qualifying round offers must-watch golf for those who understand the rich history of this event.

A score of one over par 73 was needed just to advance to a group of eight golfers who were looking to round out the top-16, with 2023 champion Joey Kremer topping the leaderboard at the end of round one.

Since first entering the event in 2021, Kremer has never missed out on qualifying for championship flight. This year, he did it in style, his round of 67 a full four shots better than the second best qualifiers - with Drake Robitaille, Brian O'Connor and Nicolas Dessureault all at 71.

"That's the best round I have ever had at the Invite; probably the second best round I've ever played here," said Kremer, a Toronto native who moved to Sudbury in the fall of 2020 and whose qualifying round of 67 was last matched in 2018 by Tristan Renaud.

"I made a lot of good putts and played well overall - with a really good back nine."

With a solid round of 73, defending champion Jimmy duDomaine found himself in the playoff. A bogey on the tenth, the first playoff hole, eliminated the Hamilton native as well as Matthew Whitehead and Ryder Coe. Advancing to championship flight by virtue of a par on the first playoff hole were Patrick Maloney, Jacob Lacko, Dayton Price, Mike Roberts and Ryan Bastien.

A seven player logjam had 72 included former tournament champions Kyle Rank and Johnny Svalina, as well as Chris Bevan, Jason Prpic, Sam Coons, Aiden Deng and Camden Poirier.

A few hours prior to the curtain closing on the 78th Idylwylde Invitational on Sunday, veterans of the tournament were treated to a classic and highly anticipated battle as the all-time winningiest golfer at the event (Vince Palladino) would go toe to toe with his son (Vincent) to settle matters in the First Flight final.

It was a match that apparently everyone but the competitors themselves were thrilled to see happen, with the 25 year-old Palladino pulling out to 1-up win on the 18th hole. “Everybody wanted us to play each other but there is not one person I would rather not play than my dad,” said Vincent, with a smile.

“Usually, you’re right into it and really want to beat your competitor – but it’s my dad. He’s the reason that I play this game. He taught me everything I know. It was very weird for both of us.”

That said, a win is a win, this one coming one year after Vincent advanced to the semi-finals of the championship flight, duplicating his performance from 2023.

“I’ve been on and off with championship flight,” he said. “I missed it this year (with a 74 on Friday), so I wasn’t too happy about that. But to be in first flight and win all four matches, I am definitely happy with that. I’ve never won my Sunday matches before.”

And so it seems that the 2026 Idylwylde Invitational will go down as one of mixed emotions – even for those who prevailed.

* rounding out the match play flight winners were Alex Fowke (second flight - 3 & 2 over Graem Costigan) and Jason Picco (third flight - 3 & 2 over Emmett Taillefer)