JULY 29, 2020
RICHMOND, BC (PGA of British Columbia) – More than 100 girls and boys across the province tested their skills at their home clubs during the Jack McLaughlin Memorial Junior Golf Challenge presented by COBRA PUMA Golf, which was administered by PGA of BC Professionals at 10 different facilities last week.
The Junior Challenge was created as a special event for 2020 in lieu of the long-running Jack McLaughlin Memorial Pro-Junior Championship, which was originally scheduled for July 23 at Vernon Golf & Country Club but could not be held due to public-health concerns. The Junior Challenge was meant to preserve the spirit of the Pro-Junior Championship by encouraging young players to get involved in competition, to play alongside or interact with their Golf Professionals, as well as to honour McLaughlin’s significant contributions to junior golf.
Junior Challenge participants were tasked with playing a 9- or 18-hole round under mock tournament conditions at their home clubs during the event week and submitting net scores to their resident PGA of BC Professionals. Competitors ranged in age from 7 to 18 years old and represented varying degrees of tournament experience. Some host facilities incorporated the Junior Challenge into their club championships taking place during the event week, while others set aside a specific day at their club for their junior members to complete their rounds.
Among the 68 participants who competed in the 18-hole competition, the top net score belonged to William Wei of Quilchena Golf & Country Club. The 14-year-old carded an outstanding club-championship round of net 64 on the par-73 Richmond layout to sit atop the leaderboard at 9-under-par.
At Salmon Arm Golf Club, 12-year-old DJ Crowe posted a 7-under score to claim runner-up honours. Emily Stewart of Quilchena rounded out the podium, as the 12-year-old finished at 6-under to secure third place. A total of 21 players completed 18-hole rounds of net even-par or better.
Of the three-dozen participants in the 9-hole competition, each of the top three finishers on the leaderboard hailed from Point Grey Golf & Country Club, where two-dozen juniors played alongside five of the facility's PGA of BC Professionals. Leading the way was 11-year-old Selena Chen, who turned in a net 6-under-par round on the course’s front nine to take top spot. Second place was shared by 14-year-old Will Queree and 10-year-old Lucas Lin, who both finished at 5-under.
As the first-place finishers in each division, Wei and Chen will each receive a PUMA Soundchuck Mini Bluetooth speaker. Crowe and Queree receive the runner-up prize of a PUMA Golf Backpack, while Stewart and Lin will each take home a PUMA hat and belt.
As well, the following participants have won draw prizes as indicated below:
- Gordon Chen (Pitt Meadows GC) - COBRA Ultralight Stand Bag
- Justin Wong (Point Grey G&CC) - COBRA KING MIM Wedge
- Hayden Countryman (Eaglepoint Golf Resort) - PUMA Soundchuck Mini
- Max Duncan (Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community) - PUMA Duffel Bag
Further prizing from COBRA PUMA Golf will be sent to each participating facility to be distributed to competitors.
The PGA of BC congratulates all Junior Challenge participants for their sportsmanship and enthusiasm for competition, and thanks COBRA PUMA Golf for its support of this special event. The Association is hopeful that circumstances will allow for the Pro-Junior Championship’s return in 2021.
See final results below:
