MARKHAM, Ont. – CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) and Golf Canada are pleased to announce the six champions of Saturday’s CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event at the Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont., site of this week’s 2014 World Junior Girls Championship.
The National Event, running for the sixth consecutive year, crowned both a female and male champion from three different age groups (9-11, 12-14 and 15-18). Among the 25 participants from across the country, the following six individuals emerged as champions:
- Braxton Kuntz, Breezy Bend Country Club, Manitoba (Boys 9-11)
- Sarah Gallagher, Braeben Golf Course, Ontario (Girls 9-11)
- Finn Lawlor, Seymour Golf Club, British Columbia (Boys 12-14)
- Laura Wong, Seymour Golf Club, British Columbia (Girls 12-14)
- Tyler Leclair, Seymour Golf Club, British Columbia (Boys 15-18)
- Molly MacDermaid, Gowan Brae Golf Club, New Brunswick (Girls 15-18)
The winners of each age group received a champion’s package from Titleist, valued at $300. In addition, Tyler Leclair and Molly MacDermaid – winners of the 15-18 age groups – will be given an exemption into their local 2015 CN Future Links Championship.
“It was a lot of fun out there,” said boys 15-18 winner Leclair. “It was very special to win here. The event was really set up well; all of the sponsors have been great. It was tough, everyone battled hard, and it got close and came down to one putt in the end. To win this on a national level is very sweet.”
Saturday’s National Event tested juniors in a four part skills challenge which tested putting, chipping, driving and iron play. The participants, split into three different age groups, were invited based on their scores from individual Skills Challenge events hosted at local clubs throughout the year by CN Future Links instructors.
“The objective of the CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event is to focus on the core skills (chipping, putting, iron play and driving) of the sport and put the spotlight on participants that have achieved the top scores from various events that have happened throughout the season,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “We congratulate all of the competitors who qualified for the National Event and look forward to another great year of challenging Canada’s most talented and eager juniors.”
Current CN Future Links programming includes the ‘Learn to Play’ program as well as mobile clinics, the Junior Skills Challenge, Junior Leagues, Girls Club and the CN Future Links Championships. As part of its investment in Canadian junior golf, CN is also a proud supporter of Golf in Schools. New programming as part of the investment in youth golf will include CN Future Links School Adoption Program and CN Future Links Field Trip Program.
A full listing of programs and information for junior golfers, parents, instructors and facilities is available at www.cnfuturelinks.com.