NextGen Championships

Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship heads to Fernie Golf and Country Club

(Josh Schaefer/ Golf Canada)

FERNIE, B.C. – Golf Canada nears the end of its 2017 junior golf championship season as the Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship is set to take place at Fernie Golf and Country Club.

With support from British Columbia Golf, the Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship is the fifth of six regional junior championships presented in partnership with Acura. The 54-hole stroke play tournament will begin with a practice round on July 10 before the tournament gets underway with round one on July 11.

Founded in 1918, Fernie Golf and Country Club will be hosting its first ever Future Links Championship. With a varied terrain and stunning view of the Rocky Mountains, the course features an aesthetic charm accentuated by luscious greens and silica sand bunkers.

“Golf Canada and British Columbia Golf are thrilled to present the 2017 Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship in Fernie,” said Greg Moody, the Tournament Director from British Columbia Golf. “We are optimistic that the tricky course at Fernie Golf and Country Club will challenge Canada’s premier junior golfers and allow them to demonstrate their skills.”

The field will consist of 85 junior golfers in the Junior Boys Division with the top six earning exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 31-Aug. 3 at Cataraqui Golf & Country Club in Kingston, Ont. A tie for the sixth position will be decided by a playoff following the conclusion of play.

The Junior Girls Division will consist of 16 golfers with the top six (including ties) earning an exemption into the 2017 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on Aug. 1-4 at Camelot Golf & Country Club in Cumberland, Ont.

The final Future Links, driven by Acura Championship of 2017 will conclude the regional championship series this summer.

July 17-20 – Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic – Church Point, N.S. – Clare Golf & County Club.

Results from the previous 2017 Future Links, driven by Acura championships can be found here: Pacific, Ontario, Quebec, Prairie.

More information regarding the Future Links, driven by Acura Championships can be found here.

NOTABLES

Kai Iguchi of Banff, Alta.
Finished T5 at the same event last year, the highest of all returning players. Highest finish of the season is a T7 at the PGA of Alberta Junior Masters. He is currently ranked at No. 47 in the Future Links, driven by Acura Order of Merit.

Taylor Stone of Calgary, Alta.
The 17-year-old won her first event of the season at the MJT Alberta Season Opener and finished in third at the PGA of Alberta Junior Masters. She is currently ranked at No. 37 in the Future Links, driven by Acura Order of Merit.

Carter Graf of Red Deer, Alta.
Currently ranked seventh on the Future Links, driven by Acura Order of Merit. The 16-year-old is coming off a win at the PGA of Alberta Junior Masters back in May. In six events this season, Graf has finished in the top five three times and in the top 10 four times.

Ethan Choi of Pincher Creek, Alta.
The 15-year-old has four top-25 finishes in the five events he has played this year, including a third-place finish at the MJT Alberta Season Opener and T5 at the US Junior Qualifying Coeur D’Alene. He is currently 21st on the Future Links, driven by Acura Order of Merit. Shot a 14-under-par 59 when he was 14-years-old at the Alberta Bantam Championship at River’s Edge in Okotoks, Alta.

Andrew Spalti of Vancouver, B.C.
The 17-year-old has placed inside the top 25 of each of his six events this season. He won the MJT Vancouver Championship back in March and is currently ranked at No. 34 on the Future Links, driven by Acura Order of Merit.

FAST FACTS

In 2017, Golf Canada is conducting its six regional Future Links, driven by Acura championships in conjunction with the Provincial Associations.

Top six finishers in the Boys Division earn exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

Top six finishers (including ties) in the Girls Division earn exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Girls Championship.

Brandon MacDougall won junior boys tournament last year after a two-hole playoff against Team Canada Development Squad member Chandler McDowell.

Kehler Koss defeated Phoebe Yue in playoff to win the girls division in 2016.

Starting times for the first and second rounds will be made available on Monday, July 10th 9:30 a.m. More information on the event and starting times can be found here.

ABOUT THE COURSE

Founded in 1918.

Par 70.

More information can be found here.