Vancouver, B.C. – The top junior golfers from across North America will compete at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver B.C. from July 21-25 in the 69th playing of the Canadian Junior Girls Championship presented by BDO.
Team Canada NextGen member, Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta., comes in as the defending champion, having won last year’s championship by seven shots over Luna Lu of Burnaby, B.C. After an opening round 74, the 15-year-old Albertan carded rounds of 74, 71, 69 and 67 for a total score of 3-under 281, enroute to the national title.
Along with Park competing at Marine Drive are Team Canada members, Shauna Liu (Maple, Ont.), Luna Lu (Burnaby, B.C.), Lindsay McGrath (Oakville, Ont.), Carlee Meilleur (Lansdowne, Ont.), Swetha Sathish (Oakville, Ont.) and Alissa Xu (Richmond Hill, Ont.).
In total, 147 of Canada’s top golfers from the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) are included in the 152 – player field along with five international competitors.
“Marine Drive Golf Club has a proven history of hosting world class Amateur Championships. Given their incredibly strong junior program, the club is a perfect host for the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO,” said Golf Canada Tournament Director Sam Brown. “I’m excited to see the lasting impact that hosting such a highly regarded Junior Championship will have not only at Marine Drive, but in the Greater Vancouver area as a whole. The competition in junior golf here on the West Coast is palpable and it will be a great opportunity for players from across Canada and the United States to show their own strength in what is shaping up to be an amazing week.”
Prior to the start of the tournament, a practice round will be held on Sunday, July 21, with championship rounds beginning on Monday, July 22. Following the first two rounds of play, the field will be cut to the low 70 players and ties with the top ten juvenile and ties included in the final two rounds.
Located in the city of Vancouver, the Marine Drive Golf Club is known for its compelling view of the Fraser River and brilliantly lined fairways, with strategically laid out bunkers. Suitable for players of all golf levels, the course has been respectively rewarded for its competitive atmosphere which is indicative of the high caliber of play.
“Marine Drive Golf Club have had a long history of hosting Golf Canada events. It is an honour once again to host a national event that will be a stepping stone for the girls as they gain tournament experience,” said Director of Marine Drive Golf Club Padraic O’Rourke. “Our members and staff always look forward to hosting these great championships. Getting the opportunity to watch the best girls in the country will be a highlight to in our 2024 calendar. Marine Drive Golf Club will strive to leave a memorable impression of what a first class experience looks and feels like.”
The Championship was first contested in 1955 and operated by the former Canadian Ladies Association (CLGA) until the amalgamation of CLGA and Royal Canadian Golf Association (now Golf Canada) in 2005.
The Canadian Junior Girls Championship has a long list of distinguished past champions that have etched their name on the Brokenshire Trophy. Past champions include, Canadian Golf Hall of Famers Sandra Post (1964-66), Betty Stanhope (1956), Judy Darling (1957), Gail Harvey Moore (1958-1960) and Gayle Borthwick (1961). In addition, LPGA Tour players, Alena Sharp (1999), Brooke Henderson (2012) and Maddie Szeryk (2013). Stollery Family Team Canada Women’s Head Coach Salimah Mussani (1996) is also a past Canadian Junior Champion.
An inter-provincial team competition will take place over the first two rounds. Each day, the lowest two of three individuals 18-hole scores will count towards the team total. The lowest aggregate score over rounds one and two determines the inter-provincial team champions, who will claim the Mary Pyke Trophy.
Last year, Team Ontario, consisting of Shauna Liu (Maple, Ont.), Aryn Matthews (Little Britain, Ont.) and Joline Truong (Mississauga, Ont.) were victorious in defending their team title. Ontario will be looking to make it three straight team titles in Vancouver.
The 2024 Canadian Junior Girls champion will receive an exemption into the 2024 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and 2025 U.S. Girls Junior Championship, if eligible. In addition, the winner will receive $1,200 CAD.
Golf Canada recognizes the financial resources required to play in a national championship. Accordingly, Golf Canada is pleased to provide needs-based financial assistance grants to help reduce the cost of competing in both the Canadian Junior Girls Championship and Canadian Junior Boys presented by BDO again this year. Initiated in 2022, the Canadian Junior Financial Assistance Program supports junior golfers and their families with need-based financial aid to help offset expenses associated with traveling and competing in national golf championships and NextGen championships. The program is funded by Golf Canada in partnership with the Canadian Seniors’ Golf Association and the Gary Cowan Heritage Fund.
For more information on Golf Canada’s Financial Assistance Grant Program click here.
For more information on the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship click here.
GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, and Levelwear. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/competitions-calendar/.