GATINEAU, Que. – Joshua Goheen battled windy conditions to card a 1-over 71 at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club to claim medallist honours at the qualifying event for the 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. A total of seven players, including six Canadians, finished 3-over or better to earn their places at next week’s national championship to be contested at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau, Que., and Eagle Creek Golf Club in Dunrobin, Ont., from August 8-11.
Goheen led the field with a 3-birdie performance. The Campbell University Camel feels ready for the challenge of competing against a strong field.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” said the Greely, Ont., native. “The last week or so, I haven’t played too much, but I’m pretty confident that I’ll be able to do pretty well this week.”
The 21-year-old will be playing in his second Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship in as many years, but is especially looking forward to the 2016 edition of the world’s third oldest amateur championship.
“I’m excited and honoured. I’ve also got a couple of teammates coming up to play this week, so I’m happy to be in the field with them. I’m excited to play in front of a home crowd, too.”
Martin Carré of Gatineau, Que., finished runner-up in the competition with a 72 which included a trio of birdies on the back nine. James Colin Davis of Montréal, Ontarians Robert Ellis of St. Catharines and Evan Littlefield from Thunder Bay, as well as Sam Stilwell of Sterling, Va., finished with shares of third at 3-over to earn their places in the championship. Additional information from the qualifying competition can be found here.
Two days of practice rounds are slated for August 6 and 7 before competitors take to both courses on August 8 and 9 for the tournament’s opening 36 holes. The field will be reduced to the low 70 and ties for the two final rounds to be contested at The Royal Ottawa.
An inter-provincial team championship will be played in conjunction with the first 36 holes of the competition with three-member teams vying for the prized Willingdon Cup.
In addition to claiming the title of 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, the winner will earn exemptions into the 2016 U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and the 2017 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. The champion will also be eligible to receive an exemption into the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Mid-Amateur or the U.S. Senior Amateur, if applicable.
Admission to the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is free during tournament week. Additional details regarding the championship are available here.