The 2017 Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge National Event will take place on Saturday, July 22 at Glen Abbey Golf Club.
Acura, Golf Canada, and the PGA of Canada will host the finals of the 2017 Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge as 23 golfers from three age groups will compete in the ninth edition of the national event at the Glen Abbey Golf Club practice facilities on Saturday, July 22.
The Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge National Event is the culmination of more than 3000 participants competing at 171 golf facilities across Canada.
The field is comprised of 23 golfers: five boys and girls in the 9-11 age group, four boys and girls in the 12-14 age group, and three girls and two boys in the 15-18 division all selected from the top of the Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge National Leaderboard.
These 23 juniors will compete in a four-part skills challenge (putting, chipping, driving and iron play) with one overall winner per age group and gender.
| Girls 9-11 | Boys 9-11 |
| Kalee Seto – Royal Mayfair Golf Club, Alta. |
Austin Boge – Golf Mentor Academy, Man. |
| Kelly Zhao – King Valley Golf Club, Ont. |
Preston Lightle – Golf River Golf & Country Club, B.C. |
| Vanessa Borovilos – Credit Valley Golf & Country Club, Ont. |
Andre Zhu – King Valley Golf Club, Ont. |
| Lea Lemieux – Timberwolf Academy, Ont. |
Clint MacLaughlin – Brian Affleck Golf Academy, N.S. |
| Avery Cohen – Brian Affleck Golf Academy, N.S. |
Keaton Cote – Elmwood Golf & Country Club, Sask. |
| Girls 12-14 | Boys 12-14 |
| Jean Craig – Brian Affleck Golf Academy, N.S. |
Felix Bouchard – Club de golf de la Vallée du Richelieu, Que. |
| Emily Zhu – King Valley Golf Club, Ont. |
Hunter Blaird – Golf Performance Centre @ Whistle Bear Golf, Ont. |
| Aideen Nelson – Blomidon Golf and Country Club, N.L. |
Barrett Baker – Brian Affleck Golf Academy, N.S. |
| Laurie-Pier Roy – Académie de golf Fred Colgan, Que. |
Joseph Cluney – Blomidon Golf & Country Club, N.L. |
| Girls 15-18 | Boys 15-18 |
| Mackenzie Morrison – St. Georges Golf & Country Club, Ont. |
Nathan Hogan – Gowan Brae Golf Club, N.B. |
| Andreanne Laforest – Académie de golf Fred Colgan, Que. |
Phillipe Halle – Académie de golf Fred Colgan, Que. |
| Taylor Cormier – Blomidon Golf & Country Club, N.L. |
The schedule of events is listed below.
| 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Practice & Warm-up at Glen Abbey practice facilities |
| 3:00 – 3:15 p.m. | Welcome messages / rules for all participants |
| 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. | Junior Skills Challenge National Event |
| 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. | BBQ and awards presentation in the hospitality suite beside the 18th green |
Below are the rules for all four parts of the Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge.
Driving: Each competitor receives three drives. Points are awarded and dependent on distance and aim of the drive. The drive must land within the 30-yard width to qualify for points. The number of points is dependent on the distances completed.
Chipping: Each competitor receives three shots from their distance. Points are awarded and dependent on the distance of the iron shot from the target.
Putting: Each competitor receives two putts each from each distance of 3, 5 and 8 feet. Points are awarded for holing the putt.
Iron Play: Each competitor receives three shots from their distance. Points are awarded and dependent on the distance of the iron shot from the target.
The winners of the Future Links driven by Acura Skills Challenge National Event in the boys and girls 15-18 age groups will receive an exemption into their local Future Links driven by Acura Championship in 2018. All other attending participants of the Future Links driven by Acura Junior Skills National Event will receive prizing courtesy of Titleist Footjoy.
On Sunday, July 23, Future Links, driven by Acura Skills Challenge National Event participants will have the opportunity to play the famous Glen Abbey layout in an exciting match play format, outfitted by program sponsor Cobra Puma Golf. Following that, participants will be provided weekly grounds passes and have an opportunity to be involved in Monday’s Golf Canada Foundation Pro-Am and secure a spot in Wednesday’s Walk with a Pro event.
For more information on the Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills National Event click here.