The opening round of the first of six regional Future Links, driven by Acura Championships is in the books after Chilliwack Golf Club hosted the Pacific edition on Friday.
Jeevan Sihota shot an opening round of 67 while Euna Han shot a 68 to lead the Junior Boys and Junior Girls Divisions, respectively.
Sihota, who is just 13-years-old, only bogeyed two holes in round one and his five birdies and one eagle vaulted him to the top of the leaderboard, with a two-shot cushion. The youngster was able to maintain his composure despite navigating the challenging tree-lined Chilliwack course.
“The course was a bit tricky, but it’s nice,” he said. “I like the way the greens are right now. I was just kind of in the moment. Same thing tomorrow, just going to play smart and hope I go low again.”
Three boys — Chandler McDowell, Samuel Su and Max Sekulic – all shot 69 to put them two back of Sihota. Su played his round bogey free while McDowell and Sekulic, who are both part of Team Canada’s Development Squad, dropped four and two shots respectively during their opening rounds.
McDowell was able to overcome his four-bogey round with two clutch eagles on holes five and nine.
“I felt good out there, and the two eagles helped for sure,” said McDowell. “Other than that I just tried to keep it in play and just cruise along.”
Fellow Team Canada Developmental Squad member A.J. Ewart sits four strokes back after his opening-round 71.
Han’s 68 puts her at the top of the girls division, also by two strokes. The 14-year-old almost played mistake-free golf other than the double bogey she registered on the fourth hole. After she was able to make the turn at even par, Han birded both 10 and 11 before adding two more on 15 and 18 to finish 4-under.
Susan Xiao sits in solo-second after she posted a 70 that was mainly propelled by a string of four birdies on the final six holes of the front nine. Defending champion Mary Parsons is the only other in the girls division that sits in the red. Her opening round of 71 has her three back in the lead and within striking distance heading to the weekend.
“I feel like I left a couple shots out of there, but I definitely gained some that could have turned out worse, so I scrambled well,” said Parsons, after her round. “I finished birdie-birdie so hopefully I can take that momentum coming into tomorrow.”
Parson’s fellow Team Canada Developmental Squad members Hannah Lee (73) and Monet Chun (75) both sit inside the top ten.
The top six finishers in the boy’s division will earn exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 31-Aug. 3 at Cataraqui Golf and Country Club in Kingston, Ont. A tie for the sixth position will be decided by a playoff following the conclusion of play on Sunday. The top six in the girl’s division (including ties) will earn exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on Aug. 1-4 at Camelot Golf & Country Club in Cumberland, Ont.
Golf Canada’s first junior golf championship of 2017 is set to take place this week as the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship gets underway at Chilliwack Golf Club in Chilliwack, B.C., from May 12-14.
With support from British Columbia Golf, the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship is the first of six regional junior championships presented in partnership with Acura. The 54-hole stroke play tournament will begin with a practice round on May 11 before the tournament gets underway with round one on May 12.
Established in 1958, Chilliwack Golf Club will be hosting its first ever Future Links Championship. Located 45 minutes east of Vancouver, the course features tree lined fairways, a creek that runs through the back nine and mountain backdrops visible in every direction.
“We are very pleased to open the 2017 championship season in Chilliwack,” said Susan White, the Tournament Director and Senior Manager of Field Operations for B.C. Golf. “The Future Links, driven by Acura Championships are fantastic events for Canada’s premier junior golfers to showcase their skills. Chilliwack Golf Club is in tremendous shape and we look forward to seeing this strong field of juniors challenge the course.”
The field will consist of 87 junior golfers in the junior boys’ division with the top six earning exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 31-Aug. 3 at Cataraqui Golf & Country Club in Kingston, Ont. A tie for the sixth position will be decided by a playoff following the conclusion of play.
The junior girls’ division will consist of 33 golfers with the top six (including ties) earning an exemption into the 2017 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on Aug. 1-4 at Camelot Golf & Country Club in Cumberland, Ont.
Five additional Future Links, driven by Acura Championships will span the country this summer.
May 26-28 – Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario – Brockville, Ont. – Brockville Country Club.
June 2-4 – Future Links, driven by Acura Quebec – Sherbrooke, Que. – Club de golf Milby.
July 4-6 – Future Links, driven by Acura Prairie – Estevan, Sask. – TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club.
July 11-13 – Future Links, driven by Acura Western – Fernie, B.C. – Fernie Golf & Country Club.
July 18-20 – Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic – Church Point, N.S. – Clare Golf & County Club.
Additional information regarding the 2017 Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship, including participants, start times and up-to-date results can be found here.
NOTABLES
Mary Parsons of Delta, B.C.
The 17-year-old comes in as the event’s defending champion. She would go on to place third at the 2016 Canadian Junior Girls Championship. A Team Canada Development Squad member who ranked No. 1 on the Future Links, driven by Acura junior girls Order of Merit in 2016.
A.J. Ewart of Coquitlam, B.C.
Team member on Canada’s Development Squad who topped the 2016 Future Links, driven by Acura junior boys Order of Merit. He finished at T11, five shots back, in last year’s tournament, and went on to place T14 in the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.
Chandler McDowell of Springbrook, Alta.
The Team Canada Development Squad member finished at T5 at last year’s championship, the highest of all returning players in the boys division. Was No. 3 on 2016’s Future Links, driven by Acura junior boys Order of Merit. At the 2016 Canadian Junior Boys Championship he finished at T14, nine shots back of the leader.
Hannah Lee of Surrey, B.C.
No. 6 on 2016’s Future Links, driven by Acura junior girls Order of Merit, and finished in 13th at the 2016 Pacific Championship. Won the 2016 B.C. Juvenile Girls Championship.
Monet Chun of Richmond Hill, Ont.
Team Canada Development Squad member ranked No. 2 on the Future Links, driven by Acura junior girls Order of Merit. Won both the 2016 Golf Quebec Junior Spring Open and the 2016 Future Links, driven by Acura Quebec Championship.
Mitchell Thiessen of Chilliwack, B.C.
The 18-year-old will be playing on his home course at Chilliwack Golf Club. He is coming off a T2 finish at the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour series opener last month. His best finish of 2016 was a T7, also at the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour series opener.
FAST FACTS
In 2017, Golf Canada is conducting its six regional Future Links, driven by Acura championships in conjunction with the Provincial Associations.
Top six finishers in the boys’ division earn exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship.
Top six finishers (including ties) in the girls’ division earn exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Girls Championship.
Canadian LPGA Tour star Brooke Henderson won the tournament in 2013.
Defending champion Mary Parsons went wire-to-wire in her 2016 victory.
Tony Gil won the junior boys tournament in 2016, also going wire-to-wire.
The Special Olympics held a Future Links golf tournament on May 10 at Chilliwack Golf Club in preparation for the tournament.
Friday’s pairings.
More information on the event can be found here.
Admission to the event is open to the public at no charge.
ABOUT THE COURSE
Junior Boys: 6,427 yards, Par 72; CR/Slope 70.5/121
Junior Girls: 5,990 yards, Par 72; CR/Slope 74.1/128
Established in 1958
