From coast to coast, Canada is creating champions both on and off the golf course.
Cue Patrick Murphy, a 17-year-old Alberta native of Crossfield. The three-time Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) Big Chief Beef Jerky Alberta Junior Champion has built up an impressive golf resume, earning him a scholarship to play NCAA Div I golf for the UCLA Bruins – his most proud achievement to date.
“I’m certainly very proud of my commitment to UCLA,” said Murphy. “It’s not that often a Canadian kid can head down south for great Div I golf – and I think it’s really exciting that Canadian golf is growing that way, especially in the last five years or so.”
Murphy grew up in Yellowknife, learning the game with his dad at the local club. After the family moved to Crossfield, Murphy continued his love of the sport and now plays out of Glencoe Golf & Country Club.
His third consecutive win at the Alberta Junior in June was a significant one, setting three new records in the process. Murphy was dialed in, carding an opening round 10-under 62 to set the course record at Carstairs Golf Club in Carstairs, Alta. He finished at 18-under par for the tournament, setting both the one-day and two-day record for the CJGA.
“That was pretty cool,” laughed Murphy. “To go that low, it’s almost unconscious. Especially in back-to-back rounds.”
In preparation of joining UCLA, Murphy’s summer schedule is jam-packed. He will be teeing-it-up at the Alberta provincials, both the Canadian Amateur and Junior Championships, and the Callaway World Junior Golf Championship.
Murphy sneaks in training sessions when he can with PGA of Canada professional Paul Horton out of the Heritage Pointe Golf Club in Calgary. He is very optimistic about where his game is headed, and the future of Canadian golf altogether.
“It’s really exciting that more Canadian golfers are being recruited to attend top schools in the States,” said Murphy. “It shows that Canada can compete against the world’s best and it’s something I’m very proud of.”