HARTLAND, N.B. – Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., withstood a strong push from the field, going wire-to-wire to defend his title and win the 81st Canadian Junior Boys Championship held at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club in Hartland, N.B.

Vandette carded a final round of 1-under-par 71 to finish the championship at 14 under, winning by a single stroke over Brady McKinlay of Lacombe, Alta. The 18-year-old tied the lowest round ever at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship when he shot 62 in the opening round. Although the field closed the gap as the week wore on, the Team Canada National Junior Squad member emerged victorious.

“It was a long week, especially after such a good first round,” said Vandette. “I ran out of gas a bit at the end, but managed to get it done. I’m really excited and proud of myself for holding on to the lead there.”

Vandette birdied the par-5 18th to clinch the championship. His second shot from the fairway landed within 15 feet of the pin, where Vandette then two-putted to secure the title.

“You can’t see the green at all [from the fairway], so I was just aiming at someone in the crowd there,” added Vandette. “I let it drift toward the left part of the green. I overdrew it a bit, but it held on and stayed on the fringe.”

Vandette briefly trailed McKinlay on the back nine, but retook the lead with a birdie on the par-4 16th hole. McKinlay bogeyed the hole, giving Vandette a one-stroke lead he would not relinquish.

“I wasn’t putting well all day – I actually three-putted No. 15,” said Vandette. “On No. 16, I managed to hit it close enough to not have to worry about my putt. I wasn’t focusing on what Brady was doing, but he just ended up with a bad break.”

With the victory, Vandette becomes the first back-to-back champion since Mitch Sutton won in 2008 and 2009.

As the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys individual champion, Vandette earns an exemption into the 2020 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, held at The Glencoe Golf & Country Club in Calgary from August 3-6, 2020.

Despite trailing by ten shots after the first round, McKinlay made a charge in the final round by carding a 4-under-par 68. The 18-year-old shot even-par in the opening round, but rebounded with rounds of 70 and 65 in rounds two and three to finish runner-up.

“I was a little bit disappointed with the first two days,” said McKinlay. “The last two days were picture-perfect almost, I just needed a couple of more shots. To keep going lower and lower up until the last day and then to do 4 under today was really good.”

The second-place finish caps a series of strong performances for McKinlay, who finished tied for second at the Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship, third at the Alberta Junior Championship and made the cut at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Carter Graf of Sylvan Lake, Alta., finished third at 11 under by posting a final round of 2 under 70.

The 16-and-under Juvenile division was decided in a playoff. Both Tommy McKenzie (Calgary) and Luke DelGobbo (Fonthill, Ont.) finished 72 holes at 8 under. DelGobbo, 16, won the title with a par on the second playoff hole.

Full scoring can be found here.

HARTLAND, N.B. – When the fog cleared, Christopher Vandette (Beaconsfield, Que.) continued to lead heading into the final round of the 81st Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club.

Vandette had his lead shrink to two strokes during Wednesday’s third round. He began the day with three birdies on his first six holes, but two straight bogeys on holes No. 16 and No. 17 made for a round of even-par 72.

“I was in a good rhythm at the start and putts were falling,” said Vandette. “At the end, I think I made a couple of dumb decisions, just like yesterday. That’s what cost me the most shots.”

The 18-year-old is looking to become the first champion to defend his title since Mitch Sutton (London, Ont.) did so in 2009.

“The city of Hartland and these people really care about this week and they’re showing it,” added Vandette. “A lot of people are showing up and it’s actually a lot of fun. They’re proud to host and us as players are fortunate to have a town who cares about it.”

Vandette’s Team Canada National Junior Squad teammate, Jeevan Sihota (Victoria) continued to play consistent golf, firing a round of 4 under, and is now sitting at 11 under for the tournament. Sihota birdied four of his first five holes and played even-par golf the rest of the way. He has only three bogeys through the first 54 holes of the competition and is two back of Vandette.

“It was a pretty good overall day,” said Sihota. “I missed quite a few short putts today, which hopefully tomorrow I’ll be able to hole those. I’m driving it really well – if you’re in the fairway here, it’s hard to make bogey from 60 yards.”

Sihota, 15, is leading the 16-and-under Juvenile division by four strokes over Tommy McKenzie (Calgary). All three of Sihota’s rounds have been in the 60s.

Vandette, Sihota and Carter Graf made up the final group of the third round. Graf shot even-par and is in a tie for third at 9 under, four back of Vandette.

Brady McKinlay shot a 7-under-par 65 on Wednesday, tied for the low score of the third round with Ethan de Graaf (Edmonton, Alta.). McKinlay, a Lacombe, Alta. product, was bogey-free while making back-to-back birdies on holes No. 14 and No. 15. McKinlay is tied with Graf for third at 9 under.

The shot of the day belonged to Nicolas-Guy Landry of Calgary. Landry made a hole-in-one on the 163-yard 17th – his first career ace.

The start of the third round was delayed by an hour following a fog delay. Tee times for the final round will begin at 9 a.m.

In addition to the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship title, the individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2020 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Full scoring can be found here.

HARTLAND, N.B. – A day after setting the course record, Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., fired a 3-under-par 69 in the second round to increase his lead at the 81st Canadian Junior Boys Championship held at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club.

Vandette now leads the competition by four strokes, extending the three-shot lead he had after his opening-round 62. The highlights of the 18-year-old’s round were two eagles on the 1st and 6th holes, both par-5s. The Team Canada National Junior Squad member also made three bogeys on Tuesday.

“Today, I hit the ball really well again,” said Vandette. “I putted decent, just the big difference was decisions on the course. I made a couple of really dumb mistakes, but I’m still satisfied with how I played out there.”

Carter Graf of Sylvan Lake, Alta., is in second at 9 under. The 2019 Alberta Junior champion roared up the leaderboard with four straight birdies on holes No. 5 through No. 8, on his way to a round of 4 under.

“I got really hot halfway through the round, that kind of kick-started my round” said Graf. “I hit a lot of greens – 17 greens – so it was pretty easy and pretty stress-free. My good friend Chris is in the lead, so it’s going to be a lot of fun to play against each other and battle it out.”

Jeevan Sihota of Victoria sits in third place a 7 under. The 15-year-old carded a round of 3 under, and leads the 16-and-under Juvenile division by one stroke over Thomas Latter (Mississauga, Ont.).

Six players are tied for fourth place at 6 under; Latter, Bennett Ruby (Waterloo, Ont.), Jace Minni (Delta, B.C.), Freddy D’Angelo (Fonthill, Ont.), Dustin Franko (Delta, B.C.) and Luc Warnock (McGregor, Ont.), the latter of whom shot the low round on Tuesday at 5 under.

Team Québec, consisting of Vandette, Laurent Desmarchais (Longueuil, Que.) and Logan Boucher (Beaconsfield, Que.) won the 36-hole inter-provincial team competition by combining to shoot 19-under-par. Team Alberta finished runner-up, eight shots behind Québec at 11 under.

A total of 77 players who finished 3 over or better have advanced to the final two rounds. The third round is scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday.

In addition to the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship title, the individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2020 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Full scoring can be found here.

HARTLAND, N.B. – Defending champion Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., carded an opening round 62 to lead the 81st Canadian Junior Boys Championship held at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club by three strokes.

Vandette’s 10-under-par 62 included four-straight birdies to close out his round. An eagle on the par-4 15th was the highlight of the 18-year-old’s day. The lone blemish on his scorecard was a bogey on the par-4 11th.

“I’m just really excited in general, it was a fairly smooth day out there,” said Vandette. “There’s still 54 holes ahead. You can’t sprint the marathon. I was pretty comfortable. I don’t think anything was too flashy or incredible today, everything was just rock solid.”

The Team Canada National Junior Squad member equaled the lowest-single round score in the 81-year history of the championship. Calvin Ross, a Fredericton, N.B. product, shot 62 in the third round of the 2017 championship. Ross would go on to win the tournament.

Vandette also shattered previous the course record of 64 at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club.

“I’m extremely honoured, especially to do it at the Canadian Juniors,” said Vandette of setting the course record. “It’s really something special. It was just making very few mistakes and staying out of trouble.”

Dustin Franko of Delta, B.C., sits in second place at 7 under. Franko was bogey-free on Monday, and made three straight birdies on holes No. 11 through No. 13. However, his remarkable round was almost in jeopardy after Sunday’s practice round.

“It was the low round of my career and I’ve never had a bogey-free round either,” said Franko. “I had a bit of a scare yesterday. I walked off after nine holes of the practice round because I had lower back pain after mishitting a shot. I was stretching all night and had hot and cold [compresses] on-and-off. This morning, I had a later tee time, so I got to stretch out quite a bit. It didn’t bother me out on the course at all.”

One stroke behind Franko is Chester, N.S., product Mark Chandler. Chandler was also bogey-free with two of his six birdies coming on par-3s.

“I hit the ball well, found the fairways and greens,” said Chandler. “Some putts dropped for me. This course is pretty open, so hitting the driver well really helps; it gives you a lot of wedges onto the greens, so there’s some good scoring opportunities there.”

Thomas Latter (Mississauga, Ont.) is leading the 16-and-under Juvenile division with an opening round of 5-under-par 67. Latter is tied for fourth in the overall individual competition with Bennett Ruby (Waterloo, Ont.) and Carter Graf (Sylvan Lake, Alta.).

Team Québec consisting of Vandette, Laurent Desmarchais (Longueuil, Que.) and Logan Boucher (Beaconsfield, Que.) jumped out to an early lead in the 36-hole inter-provincial team competition. The trio combined for a score of 13 under par and a six-stroke lead over Team Nova Scotia.

Team Alberta, the three-time defending champions, sit in third place at 5 under par. The inter-provincial team champion will be crowned on Tuesday.

In addition to the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship title, the individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2020 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Full scoring can be found here.

HARTLAND, N.B. – Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club will welcome the nation’s premier junior golfers for the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship. The 81st playing of the tournament will take place between August 11-15 and will consist of 156 golfers from all 10 provinces across Canada.

The Canadian Junior Boys Championship has served as a significant milestone in numerous professional and amateur careers. Before playing on the PGA TOUR, Abbotsford, B.C., native Nick Taylor captured the 2006 Canadian Junior Boys Championship. Other past champions include Canadian Golf Hall of Fame members Doug Silverberg, George Knudson, Gary Cowman and Doug Roxburgh.

“Golf Canada is pleased to head to Hartland to hold our annual Canadian Junior Boys Championship,” said Akash Patel, Tournament Director and Rules and Competitions Coordinator with Golf Canada. “We have received a very warm welcome here and truly appreciate the support and commitment of the staff, volunteers and community. Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club will be a great platform to showcase the talents of Canada’s best junior golfers.”

In 2018, Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., accomplished the rare feat of winning both the Junior and Juvenile divisions. The Team Canada National Junior Squad member became only the 10th golfer to win both titles at the same tournament, being powered to victory by a final round 6-under-par 65 – the lowest round of the tournament.

Vandette will return to defend his title in 2019. He will be joined by his Team Canada National Junior Squad teammates Laurent Desmarchais (Longueuil, Que.), Kai Iguchi (Banff, Alta.) and Jeevan Sihota (Victoria).

In addition to the title of 2019 Canadian Junior Boys champion, the winner will earn an exemption into the 2020 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

An inter-provincial team competition will take place over the first two rounds. The two best scores of the three golfers from each provincial team in rounds one and two count towards the team’s score. The lowest aggregate score over rounds one and two determines the champions.

Alberta will look to capture its fourth straight inter-provincial championship title. The trio of Chandler McDowell (Springbrook, Alta.), Ty Steinbring (Barrhead, Alta.) and Korbin Allan (Strathmore, Alta.) combined to shoot 2 over last year, a stroke ahead of Ontario.

More information about the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship can be found here.

NOTABLES

Christopher Vandette, Beaconsfield, Que.
One of the brightest prospects in Canadian golf, Vandette recently placed third at the 2019 Toyota Junior Golf World Cup. As a 16-year-old, he made the cut at the 2018 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, and was in a tie for 7th following the opening round after posting a 68. Currently ranked first on the Future Links, driven by Acura Boys Order of Merit (despite playing half as many events as his counterparts), Vandette is looking to defend his title.

Laurent Desmarchais, Longueuil, Que.
Desmarchais won six tournaments in 2018, with his win at the Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship being the highlight. After missing the cut at both the Canadian Men’s Amateur and Junior Boys Championships, he finished in the top-two in each of his next three tournaments, including a win at the Quebec Junior Boys Provincial Championship. Desmarchais won the 2019 PNGA Amateur Championship in July.

Kai Iguchi, Banff, Alta.
Iguchi is in his first year on the Team Canada National Junior Squad. His 2018 season featured a victory at the Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship and he finished in a tie for 11th at the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship. This season, Iguchi earned a top-10 at The Glencoe Invitational in June.

Jeevan Sihota, Victoria
The youngest member of the Team Canada National Junior Squad at just 15, Sihota earned a third-place finish at the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship, a competition he won in 2017. While he didn’t win a tournament in 2018, Sihota strung together a series of strong performances that included numerous runner-up and third-place results.

Michael Crisologo, Richmond, B.C.
Crisologo played well at the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship this year, holding off the likes of Vandette and Desmarchais to win the event in a playoff. The brother of Team Canada National Amateur Squad member Chris Crisologo, Michael is looking for some family bragging rights – Chris never finished better than tenth at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

FAST FACTS

The first championship was held in 1938, which was won by James Hogan.

The junior champion earns an exemption into the 2020 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Canadian Golf Hall of Famers who have won the championship include Doug Silverberg, George Knudson, Gary Cowan and Doug Roxburgh.

In 1970, the 16-and-under Juvenile Championship was added to the event. It runs concurrently with the competition and the winner receives the Jack Bailey Trophy.

In 2018, Christopher Vandette won the Juvenile and Junior titles, thanks to a final round 6-under-par 65.

Ten golfers have won both the Juvenile and Junior titles: Jim Rutledge, Jeff Makahon, Rob McMillan, Jesse Collinson, Dustin Risdon, Gord Scutt, Rafael Lee, Mitch Sutton, Charles-Éric Bélanger and Vandette.

There is a Junior Inter-Provincial Team championship that is held in conjunction with the first 36 holes of the tournament, which has been held since 1959. Alberta has won the last three Inter-Provincial Championships.

Current PGA TOUR player Nick Taylor captured the title in 2006.

The lowest single-round score in the tournament’s history is a 62, achieved in the third round in 2017 by Calvin Ross, a Fredericton, N.B. product. Ross went on to win the championship.

Mitchell Sutton was the last competitor to win back-to-back titles, doing so in 2009 and 2010.

More information on the event including tee times can be found here.

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – The competition and weather continued to heat up during the final round of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship. Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., carded a tournament-low 65 to tie the course record and win the Canadian Junior Boys Championship on Thursday at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club.

The Team Canada Development Squad rookie catapulted to the top of the leaderboard to win the championship and the juvenile division title, becoming only the 10th player to accomplish that feat since the juvenile division was established 48 years ago.

“I knew the first few holes were very gettable. The first six holes can get you off to a roll, which I did,” said the Beaconsfield, Que., talent. “After that, it was just staying calm and just focusing on my game.”

Vandette’s hot streak started early on with two sets of back-to-back birdies on the front-nine. From there the 16-year-old never looked back, recording two other birdies to secure his two-stroke victory.

His teammates didn’t take long to express their excitement as they rushed him beside the green, dousing him in water in celebration right after he received his medals. Despite spending the week eating Pita Pit and joking that he should thank them in his speech, Vandette plans on celebrating in style alongside his team.

“It feels awesome just to compete against the best junior players in Canada and somehow come on top,” added Vandette. “I’d say routines were a lot better today and just my focus on top of the ball was a lot better. Just trusting my shots.”

When asked about his top three favourite moments of the tournament, Vandette couldn’t hold back his smile. Winning the tournament and beating the course record were of course number one and two, but his third favourite moment may surprise you.

“Number three would have to be the moose delay we had yesterday, so every tee time was pushed back twenty minutes,” said Vandette with a laugh. “That was pretty funny.”

With a national championship win, a historic final day run and a moose on the loose, the tournament was certainly one to remember for the junior. Vandette will have his name engraved on the Jack Bailey trophy and the Silver Cup as the event’s 80th champion. Vandette earned an exemption into the 2018 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship from Aug. 7-10.

Two players – Gerry Mei of North York, Ont., and Olivier Ménard of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que., earned silver medal honours. Ménard carded his second 71 to finish tied for second alongside Mei.

“It was a great event. I played well so I mean for me it was a pretty good event,” said the 18-year-old. “I couldn’t catch Chris but I’m still proud. You have to control yourself, you can’t control what he’s doing.”

Mei, who tied for the lead going into the final round, also earned the silver medal in the juvenile division at even-par 284. Jeffrey Fang of Newmarket, Ont., rounded out the top three juveniles with a 4-over-par 288.

Always a dedicated golfer, the 15-year-old came out early to complete two extra practice rounds, which he credits to helping him play well in the tournament.

“I’m very pleased with how I played today. Overall, I’m pleased with how I just came out for the entire tournament,” said Mei. “Everything was working pretty fine, my putting was good had a couple of mistakes here or there but that’s golf.”

When all is said and done, it was a historic final round at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club that the players are sure to remember. The 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship is set to take place at Covered Bridge Golf and Country Club in Hartland, N.B., from August 11-15, 2019.

2018 CANADIAN JUNIOR BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL RESULTS

1. Christopher Vandette, Beaconsfield, QC, *70-74-73-65-282 -2
2. Gerry Mei, North York, ON, *71-72-69-72-284 E
2. Olivier Ménard, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC, *70-72-71-71-284 E
4. Daniel George, Richmond Hill, ON, *68-75-69-73-285 +1
4. Ryan McMillan, Winnipeg, MB, *73-69-73-70-285 +1

2018 CANADIAN JUNIOR BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP JUVENILE DIVISION

1. Christopher Vandette, Beaconsfield, QC, *73-70-6574-282 -2
2. Gerry Mei, North York, ON, *69-71-7272-284 E
3. Jeffrey Fang, Newmarket, ON, *72-74-7072-288 +4
4. Romi Dilawri, Ottawa, ON, *71-72-7274-289 +5
5. Brycen Ko, Richmond, BC, *72-73-7273-290 +6

For full results click here.

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – The weather in Medicine Hat wasn’t the only thing heating up during round three of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship. After 72 players battled underneath the blazing sun at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club, Gerry Mei and Daniel George emerged as co-leaders into Thursday’s final round.

George registered four birdies and two bogeys for his one-shot lead alongside Mei.

“I was just driving the ball straight, hitting a lot of fairways, hitting a lot of greens, and making some clutch putts,” said the Richmond Hill, Ont., native. “It feels great, I’m as excited as I’ve ever been for anything. I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

Mei had a pretty shaky front-nine after a double bogey on hole 8 but shined on the back-nine, carding five birdies to head into the final day at 1 under.

“I had a pretty shaky front-nine. I had one double on the eighth hole and I was a little bit unconfident going into my back-nine, but starting hole 10 I got things going,” said Mei. “My putting was good and I was saving a lot of putts that were really important for today.”

Mei also leads the juvenile division with a comfortable 5-stroke margin.

“I’m a little bit nervous for tomorrow but I think I’m going to try and maintain my putting and do a lot of practice to keep going,” said the 15-year-old. “My plan going into tomorrow is to try and not think too much about the numbers. Play every shot not thinking about the next one.”

Luc Warnock of McGregor, Ont., and Olivier Ménard of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que., are only one stroke back in a tie for third.

Warnock carded a scorching 4 under with two birdies and an eagle on the front-nine but ran into trouble with three bogeys across his final three holes. Still, the 17-year-old was all smiles when he finished the round.

“I felt really good this morning. I know I’m hitting the ball straight so far this week so it’s really just whether or not I could hit some good putts today and I did,” said Warnock. “I’m excited for what tomorrow will bring and I’ll relish it.”

Team Canada Development Squad Johnny Travale fired his second 69 of the tournament to climb into a tie for tenth at 3 over. Travale’s teammates Christopher Vandette and Peyton Callens also cracked the top-20 at 4 over and 5 over, respectively.

With seven other players within 3 shots of victory, Friday’s final round will certainly be one to watch.

In the juvenile division, three players – Luca Ferrara (Toronto, Ont.), Romi Dilawri (Ottawa, Ont.) and Team Canada’s Christopher Vandette (Beaconsfield, Que.) – are in second behind Mei at 4 over.

In addition to the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship title, the individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2018 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Duncan Meadows and Pheasant Glen from Aug. 6-9.

For full results click here.

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – After starting the day in a four-way tie for the lead, Brady McKinlay posted a 71 during the second round to move into solo-first at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club on Tuesday.

The Lacombe, Alta., talent carded an even-par 71, recovering from a double bogey on the back-nine with an impressive eagle fired on the 18th hole.

London’s Cam Kellett was one of four players to earn a low-round 69. The 18-year-old started the day strong with three birdies on the front-nine, recording only one bogey on his final hole to share a piece of second alongside yesterday’s co-leader Bennett Ruby of Waterloo, Ont.

Five golfers ­ — Olivier Ménard (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que.), Cole Wilson (Kelowna, B.C.), William Duquette (Laval, Que.), Ryan McMillan (Winnipeg, Man.)  and Chandler McDowell (Springbrook, Alta.)— sit in fourth at even-par.

For the third consecutive year, McDowell led the way for Team Alberta to win the inter-provincial championship, tying for a low score of the day 2-under-par 69. McDowell and his team members Ty Steinbring and Korbin Allan shot a combined 2 under on Tuesday to pass Team Ontario by one stroke. Team British Columbia finished in third at 7 over.

In the juvenile division, 15-year-old Gerry Mei from North York, Ont., claimed top spot on the leaderboard after he recorded a 1-over-par 72. Team Canada Development Squad’s Christopher Vandette is tied for second alongside Toronto’s Luca Ferrara, one stroke behind at 2 over.

The cut was set at 8 over par and 72 golfers will advance to the final two rounds on Wednesday and Thursday.

In addition to the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship title, the individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2018 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Duncan Meadows and Pheasant Glen from Aug. 6-9.

For full results click here.

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – Daniel George, Bennett Ruby, William Duquette and Brady McKinlay fired matching 68s to share the lead after the first round of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club on Monday.

Two of the co-leaders — Duquette of Laval, Que., and Ruby of Waterloo, Ont., — recorded an eagle in their first round.

“My eagle was pretty sweet. It was all over the pin and then it just spun around and went right back into the cup.” ” said Ruby with a laugh. “I didn’t realize I made the shot until I saw my mom pointing at it.”

After starting on the back-nine and firing an eagle on his second hole, Duquette remained pretty consistent.

“It was a pretty good round. I hit the ball pretty well, my putter could have been a bit more consistent, but overall it was good,” said Duquette after his first round. “This is my third Canadian Junior Boys Championship and it’s always a nice tournament to play in with all the best players in Canada.”

McKinlay of Lancombe, Alta., and George of Richmond Hill, Ont., round out the four heading into Tuesday’s round with a one-stroke lead.

In the 16-and-under juvenile division, Jace Minni sits atop of the leaderboard 2 under. Last year’s juvenile division winner, Team Canada’s Christopher Vandette, sits one-shot back with a piece of second alongside Spencer Grainger and Luca Ferrara.

Team Ontario leads the inter-provincial competition after the team consisting of Nolan Piazza, Matthew Anderson and Luc Warnock shot a combined 1 over. Team Quebec and Alberta are tied for second at 2 over.

In addition to the 2018 Canadian Jr Boys Championship title, the individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2018 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at from Aug. 6-9.

For full results click here.

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – Medicine Hat Golf and Country Club will welcome the nation’s premier young golfers for the 2018 Canadian Junior Boy Championship. The 80th playing of the tournament will take place between July 30-Aug. 2 and will consist of 156 junior golfers, including all five members of Team Canada’s Development Squad.

Founded in 1913, Medicine Hat Golf and Country Club is a par-72 championship golf course located on the cliffs of the South Saskatchewan River.

“Our tremendous staff has worked very hard and the course is in fantastic shape. The community of Medicine Hat is extremely excited to host an event of this calibre,” said Cam Jacques, General Manager at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club. “We look forward to hosting this strong field through what is sure to be a great week of golf.”

The Canadian Junior Boys Championship has served as a significant milestone in a number of professional and amateur careers. Before playing on the PGA TOUR, Abbotsford, B.C., native Nick Taylor captured the 2006 Canadian Junior Boys title. Other champions include Canadian Golf Hall of Fame members Doug Silverberg, George Knudson, Gary Cowan and Doug Roxburgh.

“Golf Canada is pleased to head to Medicine Hat to hold our annual Canadian Junior Boys Championship,” said Tournament Director Adam Cinel. “We have received a very warm welcome here and truly appreciate the support and commitment of the staff, volunteers and community. Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club will be a great platform to showcase the talents of Canada’s best junior golfers.”

In 2017, Calvin Ross became the first New Brunswick golfer to win the Canadian Junior Boys Championship after the Fredericton native set an amateur course-record 62 during the third round, eventually securing a seven-stroke victory. Team Canada’s Christopher Vandette won the under-16 Juvenile title.

In order to be eligible to participate in the championship, all entrants must be under 19 years of age as of August 1^st, 2018. This year’s field will consist of the defending Canadian Juvenile Junior Champion, Team Canada Development Squad members, the current Junior Club Champion, the top six finishers in all Future Links, driven by Acura regional championships and those players earning a spot through their respective provincial championship.

NOTABLES
Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que.
The 16-year-old Team Canada Development Squad member finished third at the event last year, the highest of any returning player. Vandette, who was ranked No.1 on the 2017 Future Links, driven by Acura Order of Merit, is coming into the tournament with two top-ten finishes, including a solo second at the 2018 Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship. 

Cam Kellett of London, Ont.
The 18-year-old, who will be competing in his first ever Canadian Junior Boys Championship, is currently ranked No.1 on the Future Links, driven by Acura Order of Merit. Kellett finished in the top-10 in six of the seven events he has competed in this year so far, including a win at Golf Ontario Men’s Match Play Championship and second place finishes at Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship and Golf Ontario Investors Group Junior Spring Classic.

Matthew Anderson of Mississauga, Ont.
The 18-year-old member of Team Ontario is currently ranked No.3 on the Future Links, driven by Acura Order of Merit and is coming into the tournament with a win at Golf Ontario Investors Group Junior Spring Classic and four top-ten finishes.

Ethan Choi of Pincher Creek, Alta.
The 16-year-old is currently ranked No.4 on the Future Links, driven by Acura Order of Merit and finished T5 at this event last year. Choi has four top-five finishes in 2018 so far, including a win at PGA of Alberta Junior Masters.

Nolan Thoroughgood of Victoria, B.C.
The 17-year-old rookie member of the Team Canada Development Squad finished in fourth at the event last year T3 at the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship at Bear Mountain Resort – Valley Course in May and has finished in the top-ten in nine out of the 10 tournaments he competed in during 2017.

FAST FACTS

• The first championship was held in 1938, which was won by James Hogan.
• Current Canadian Golf Hall of Famers who won the championship include: Doug Silverberg, George Knudson, Gary Cowan and Doug Roxburgh.
• In 1970, the 16-and-under Juvenile Championship was added to the Championship, which runs concurrently with the competition, with the winner receiving the Jack Bailey Trophy.
• Nine golfers have won both the Juvenile and Junior titles: Jim Rutledge, Jeff Makahon, Rob McMillan, Jesse Collinson, Dustin Risdon, Gord Scutt, Rafael Lee, Mitch Sutton and Charles-Eric Belanger.
• There is a Junior Inter-Provincial Team championship that is held in conjunction with the first 36 holes of the tournament, which has been held since 1959.
• The Junior champion earns an exemption into the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.
• 2017 Junior Champion: Calvin Ross.
• 2017 Juvenile Champion: Christopher Vandette.
• 2017 Inter-Provincial champion: Alberta
• Current PGA TOUR player Nick Taylor captured the title in 2006.
• London, Ont., product Mitch Sutton was the last player to win the event in back-to-back years in 2008 and 2009.
• More information on the event including tee times can be found here.

ABOUT THE COURSE

• Established in 1913.
• Course was redesigned during 1984-1986
• The 9^th & 10^th holes were just recently redesigned and rebuilt during the fall of 2017. These two greens will open for play in May of 2018.
• Hosted the Alberta Ladies Amateur, Alberta Men’s Amateur and 2016 CN Future Links Western Championship
• Assistant Professional Jesse Florkowski is the reigning 3-time One Arm World Champion Golfer
• Course tournament record: 65 by Kelly Risling in 2016
• More information can be found here.