Spencer Shropshire leads both the Junior and Juvenile divisions
at 12-under
Innisfail, Alta. – Team Ontario has successfully defended their title as the Inter-Provincial Team champions at the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta.
Team Ontario entered the day with a two-shot lead over Team British Columbia (B.C.) and that is exactly how things would end, as the defending champions finished with a combined 10-under score to win back-to-back team championships.
“It’s just really nice to represent our province and show out strong for Ontario and represent as a team,” said Isaiah Ibit of Orleans, Ont.
Ibit, a member of Team Canada NextGen was the lone returning player to Team Ontario after winning the inter-provincial team title last year in North Bay, Ont.
“It’s really nice to not only win it twice but just be part of this team twice. It’s nice to have a little competition and just have more fun with it. Hopefully both of these guys may even be on the team next year as well, so hopefully they can bring home the triple crown if they can,” said Ibit.
Jager Pain of Woodbridge, Ont. recorded rounds of 3-under 69 and even par 72, while teammate Gabriel Mainella of Markham, Ont. had his scores count both days with a 3-under 69 and 2-under 70. Ibit opened with a 5-under 67 on Tuesday and eagled the no. 18 on Wednesday to shoot an even par 72.
Team B.C. shot a combined 8-under and were represented by Austin Krahn of Christina Lake, B.C., Ryan Vest of Vernon, B.C. and Manpreet Lalh of Nanaimo, B.C. Team Alberta rounds out the top three finishing at 5-under.
Spencer Shropshire of Ramara, Ont. sits alone atop the standings in both the Junior and Juvenile divisions following a second consecutive 6-under 66 to sit at 12-under for the tournament.
Shropshire is two shots clear of Team Canada NextGen member, Matthew Javier of North York, Ont. in the battle for the Silver Cup in the Junior division and four shots ahead of Dawson Lew of Toronto, Ont. in the Juvenile Division.
“Progressively getting better every week which is awesome. I’ve noticed more consistency, and my putting has been really good,” said Shropshire reflecting on his season thus far.
The 16-year-old who won at AJGA Junior Championship last month in Michigan has said his putting has been one of the strong points of his game and he credits a hot putter for his strong start over the first two rounds of the national championship.
“I played great again today, putter was nice, made the putts I was supposed to and added a couple bonuses there too. It feels great, never been in this position before so looking forward to tomorrow,” said Shropshire following his second round.
Javier finished with a 3-under 69 on Wednesday to move to 10-under for the tournament. The 17-year-old was rolling along with seven birdies and one bogey through 14 holes on Wednesday before running into some trouble late in his round. Javier recorded a bogey on no. 16 and a double bogey on 17 before closing with a par to finish his round.
There is a three-way tie for third with Matthew Wilson of Nanaimo, B.C., Brett Jones of Calgary, Alta. and Lew all at 8-under. A trio of golfers are tied for sixth at 5-under, with Team Ontario teammates Ibit and Mainella along with Tim Hachey of Osoyoos, B.C.
The Junior and Juvenile championship rounds are played concurrently over four rounds. The 156-player field has been cut to the low 76 players following a cut line of 7-over.
The Junior champion of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship earns an exemption into the 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship as well as the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.
For the leaderboard following the second round of play at the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.