A.J. Ewart understands that golf is not a game that you could perfect, but it’s a game where you could learn and work hard to make continual improvements. Having that mindset has helped the talented young golfer achieve an impressive list of accomplishments as an amateur – and now, he is focused on translating that success onto the professional ranks.
Reflecting on his journey in golf, the soon to be 26-year-old is grateful to his father, Brad Ewart, for introducing him to the sport during his early childhood years and teaching him the fundamentals.
“My dad had me swinging the golf club as soon as I could walk. He was a pro golfer and was also a golf instructor – so I guess you could say I was born into it. It’s always something I’ve been around,” the Golf Canada National Team member recalled.
“My earliest memory was playing in a tournament at the age of five or six and I remembered that I really enjoyed playing outdoors.”
Young A.J. found his passion in golf and worked hard to better his game.
“It’s like anything you do, if you want to get good at it, you have to give it a lot of time. But putting in that work was always something I enjoyed. It didn’t seem like work because I always enjoyed the process of getting better,” he noted.
“Obviously, golf isn’t a game you could perfect but you want to get as good at it as possible.”
Ewart would enjoy success as a junior golfer but says he first realized he might be able to play the sport at a high level after being selected to Golf Canada’s amateur squad back in 2017.
“Golf Canada provides us with so many resources and tools that we are fortunate to have.
I credit Golf Canada for a lot of my success,” he pointed out.
Ewart also credits his time at Barry University in Miami, Florida for a big part of his development as a golfer. During his time at Barry, the Canadian National Team member won a school record 14 times. And in 2022, he earned the Jack Nicklaus award as the number one golfer in NCAA Division II.
“Barry University has a good program and it worked for other guys so I went out for a visit and talked to the coach there and was thankful that I did – and I think everything happens for a reason,” said Ewart, who graduated with a major in communications and a minor in sports management.
“My collegiate coach instilled a strong work ethic; and the warm weather meant we were able to compete year round,” he added about his time at Barry University.
“Winning a regional championship was cool. We never won a national championship but had a couple of good runs.”
Another notable accomplishment came at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship in 2021 where he recorded a runner up finish to champion, Max Sekulic.
“It was definitely a bright spot in my amateur career. It’s always cool to compete for your national title. I was competing against a couple of my good friends down the stretch so was a lot of fun,” Ewart noted.
Someone very familiar with Ewart’s game is Team Canada Assistant Coach, Louis Melanson.
“A.J. is eager to learn and works very hard. He’s also a very intelligent and mature young man and applies that to his advantage on the golf course,” said Melanson.
“A.J. won’t out drive you but he’s very consistent. He doesn’t quit. He’s good at adapting and finding his own way and does his best to get the job done. He plays a similar style to Nick Taylor.”
Melanson adds that the five foot 11 inch Ewart is a student of the game and has the right attitude and all the skills to succeed as a professional. He notes that Ewart has already won twice as a professional in 2024 – at the Sandpiper Open and at the Elk Ridge Saskatchewan Open.
“Winning last year was huge for A.J. as it gave him the confidence that he could win as a professional. And now it’s just about playing in more tournaments, learning and gaining that experience.”
Ewart also acknowledged the significance of his wins as a professional last year.
“It meant a lot and it gave me confidence in knowing that when I play my best golf, I’m just as good as anybody.”
With the goal of playing on the PGA Tour one day, the talented young golfer says it gives him added confidence to see the success of so many Canadian players who have gone through the program.
“Seeing so many Canadians having success on the PGA Tour proves that the program works,” said Ewart.
“Obviously, we want to be where those guys are one day and it gives us motivation to continue to work hard to get to that point.”