August 2, 2024
Richmond, BC (PGA of BC) - The PGA of BC Jack McLaughlin Memorial Pro-Junior Championship Series saw junior golfers from across the province compete in four regional events held in unique locations. Teams made up of a PGA of BC Professional and three junior golfers took on Cranbrook Golf Club, Cultus Lake Golf Club, Shadow Ridge Golf Club and Fairwinds Golf Club throughout the month of July. These teams competed in a 2-Net Best Ball format, where competing juniors demonstrated their high levels of play, sportsmanship and love of the game.
The first stop of the Series took place at Cranbrook Golf Club on July 11, which saw ten teams compete.
Congratulations to Cranbrook Golf Club's Adam Van De Walle (Pro), Kadan Hatala, Colin Kakuno and Nathan McKenzie for their victory at the event, winning by three strokes at their home club. Guided by professional Van De Walle, the team of up-and-coming juniors excelled on their way to the Kootenays Pro-Junior title.
Two teams tied as runners-up: Purcell Golf's Simon Jones (Pro), Finn Bohm, Rhett Steel and Keiran Stephan; and Wildstone Golf Course's Dan Bourgeois (Pro), Kale Higginson, Lucan Kostiuk and Dexter Spring. Bourgeois paced all professionals with five birdies.
The Series then travelled to Cultus Lake Golf Club for its Lower Mainland stop on July 19, with fifteen teams taking on the Fraser Valley course.
Quilchena Golf & Country Club's John Vu (Pro), Sera Akizuki, Emily Stewart and Jack Wallace secured the victory in the tournament, shooting 17-under par to win by one stroke. Their impressive ball-striking helped guide them to the Lower Mainland title.
Cheam Mountain Golf Course finished as runners-up at 16-under par, represented by Kevin Stinson (Pro), Noah Reddicopp, Isaiah Reddicopp and Nick Buckle. Professionals competed in a birdies pot, which Stinson won with seven birdies and an eagle. Squamish Valley Golf Club's Yamato Chiyasu (Pro), Langdon Moore, Cody Simmons and Matthew Moses earned third place at 12-under par for the event.
The next edition of the Series took place at Shadow Ridge Golf Club on July 24 where nine teams from the Interior region competed.
Congratulations to Kelowna Golf & Country Club's Jason Jurimae (Pro), Beckett Johnson, Connor Brasnett and Carver Millard on their victory, which they achieved by shooting a phenomenal Net score of 18-under par.
Penticton Golf & Country Club's Matt Jones (Pro), Cohen Bitzer, Devon Alger and Grayson Holmes earned second place at 16-under par, while Kelowna Golf & Country Club's Rob Anderson (Pro), Kolton Matthews, Kailie Matthews and Brielle Leach finished in third place, shooting 15-under par. Shadow Ridge Golf Club’s Mark Kitts earned top spot in the birdies pot, making five birdies and two eagles.
The final event of the Series saw nine teams from the Island region compete at Fairwinds Golf Club on July 29.
Glacier Greens Golf Club's Mark Valliere (Pro), Nolan Morrison, Rownan Chatterson and Oliver Davies won the event, earning the Island title after shooting 10-under par for a three-shot victory.
In a tie for second place at 7-under par were Myrtle Point Golf Club's Ryan Brown (Pro), Lucas Vizzutti, Carter Stekman and Ben Belyea; and Fairwinds Golf Club's Helene Delisle (Pro), Grayson Hazelwood, Ryder Eaves and Dimitri Vassilopoulos. Fairwinds Golf Club’s Austin Doherty was top professional in the birdies pot, with four birdies made.
These events would not be possible without the hard work and preparation of our host professionals. Thank you to Cranbrook Head Professional Paul Wittingham, Cultus Lake Professional Kris Kowalski, Shadow Ridge Head Professional Mark Kitts, and Fairwinds Head Professional Travis Busch, as well as their entire teams, for their first-class hospitality.
The Association is thrilled to have hosted 43 teams across the four regions. Participating juniors were awarded a great variety of prizes from several contributing sponsors. Thank you to adidas Golf Canada, Callaway Golf, COBRA PUMA GOLF and Rampion Enterprises for their incredible support of the Series and of all the competing junior golfers.
Scholarships and Financial Assistance available for Junior Golfers
Financial Assistance
This Fund provides financial assistance for expenses incurred with entry fees, travel, accommodation and other associated costs for junior golfers in need of financial support to attend sanctioned events (Zone, Provincial, National events)
Gerry Walker Memorial Scholarships
The Player Development Trust Fund will award ten (10) $2,000 scholarships to promising young “scholastic golfers” to assist them with tuition and other educational expenses in pursuing a post-secondary education. The Player Development Trust Fund invites applications from young men and women who reside in British Columbia and are Canadian citizens who have demonstrated both scholastic and golf excellence.
For more information and application forms:
See BC Junior Golf Association on Facebook or Contact:
Jack Croucher
250-318-3527
jcroucher65@gmail.com
