FAIRVIEW, P.E.I. – The first round of the 2016 CN Future Links Atlantic Championship opened under clear skies at Countryview Golf Club. Defending champion Allison Chandler holds a five-stroke advantage atop the Junior Girls division, while defending Junior Boys champion Calvin Ross, Sam Reid and Shaun Margeson share the lead.
Chandler captured the 2015 CN Future Links Atlantic Junior Girls title at Gowan Brae Golf Club in Bathurst, N.B. The Chester, N.S., native picked up where she left off, notching four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole en route to a 3-under 69.
Meghan McLean of Port Williams, N.S., stayed bogey-free through her final 10 holes to take sole possession of second at 2-over. Toronto’s Sarah Beqaj sits third at 3-over following a four-birdie showing. An eagle on the par-5 12th hole propelled Sarah Holt of Waterville, N.B., into fourth-place, while Port Williams, N.S., resident Heather McLean holds fifth.
Calvin Ross recorded four birdies on the day in pursuit of a second-straight CN Future Links Atlantic Junior Boys title. The product of Fredericton, N.B., shot 1-under 71 for a share of the lead alongside Sam Reid of Moncton, N.B., and Shaun Margeson of Fall River, N.S.
Andre Savoie (Dieppe, N.B.), Luke Gavin (Peterborough, Ont.) and Adrian Mallet (Cornwall, P.E.I.) matched 72s to hold shares of fourth.
The top six finalists in the Junior Boys Division will earn exemptions into the 2016 Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Clovelly Golf Club in St. John’s, N.L., from August 1-4. In the case of ties, exemptions will be decided via a hole-by-hole playoff. All competitors within the Top-6, including ties, in the Junior Girls Division will gain entry into the Canadian Junior Girls Championship. The tournament will be conducted from August 2-5 at The Links at Penn Hills in Shubenacadie, N.S.
The second day of competition will see the Junior Girls tee-off at 7:30 a.m. before the Junior Boys begin play at 8:20 a.m. Additional information, including pairings and up-to-date scoring is available here.