Golf Canada’s 2022 championship season continues at Rivershore Estate & Golf Links in Kamloops, B.C. for the 83^rd playing of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, from Aug. 7-10.

This national championship, which was first held in 1938 in London, Ont., offers an opportunity for the top junior male golfers from coast-to-coast to compete against the best in their class in a 72-hole stroke play competition. This year, 156 players will clash on the west coast of Canada aiming to add the Silver Cup to their trophy cases.

“Golf Canada is excited to return to British Columbia for the Canadian Junior Boys Championship,” said tournament director Daniel Suppa. “I’m looking forward to seeing how the juniors play at the highest level this week. The calibre of this year’s field is amongst the best we’ve seen in recent history, and I know I will be thoroughly impressed. We’re confident that Rivershore will prove as a testy challenge as these elite juniors look to showcase their talents.”

Designed by Robert Jones Sr., Rivershore Estate & Golf Links is setup uniquely as a links-styled course that is buried in a desert-like setting and protected by the sagebrush hills above. Nestled along the shores of the South Thompson River, this championship course features 95 bunkers that are moderately surrounded by water hazards and other areas that will cause havoc for players of all calibres. The par-72 will play at a maximum of 6,852 yards for the 2022 Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

The championship has served as a significant milestone in several professional and amateur careers. Before playing on the PGA Tour, Abbotsford, B.C., native Nick Taylor captured the 2006 Canadian Junior Boys title. The championship counts Canadian Golf Hall of Fame members Doug Silverberg, George Knudson, Gary Cowan and Doug Roxburgh among its winners.

Headlining this year’s pool of competitors is none other than the defending champion, Jean-Phillippe Parr. In 2021, the 18-year-old made pars on the final eight holes at Club de Golf Vallée du Richlieu in his home province of Québec, to claim the Canadian Junior Boys Championship. The St Célestin, Qué., native carded rounds of 65-73-66-74 for a total score of 10-under par en route to the one-stroke victory.

Parr, a member of Team Canada’s National Junior Squad, returns this year looking to become the ninth back-to-back winner in the tournament’s history, and first since fellow Quebec-native Christopher Vandette accomplished the feat in 2018 and 2019.

Looking to spoil Parr’s attempt at a title defence are 11 of the remaining 12 players on the National Junior Squad, including Cooper Humphreys (Vernon, B.C.), who finished as the runner-up to Parr in last year’s competition. Eric Zhao (North York, Ont.), Ethan Wilson (St Albert, Alta.) and Félix Bouchard (Otterburn Park, Qué.), who won gold for Team Canada alongside Humphreys at the 2022 Toyota Junior Golf World Cup, are also in the field.

Ben MacLean (Niagara Falls, Ont.), James Newton (Ottawa, Ont.) and Owen Kim (Oakville, Ont.), who each secured top-10 finishes in 2021, are also returning to bid for the national title. Gavyn Knight (Parksville, B.C.), Malik Dao (Notre-Dame-de-Île-Perrot, Que.) and Mathieu Lafontaine (Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que.) round out the Team Canada contingent.

Returning this year is the interprovincial team competition. The interprovincial championship, first held in 1959, will be played in conjunction with the first 36 holes of the competition, with three-player teams vying for the team title. In rounds one and two the best two scores of the three golfers from each provincial team count towards the team’s score. The lowest aggregate score over rounds one and two determines the champion.

Team Québec are the reigning champions. Christopher Vandette and Laurent Desmarchais – who are coming off an interprovincial championship win at the 2022 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship – accompanied Logan Boucher at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club in New Brunswick and bested the Albertans by eight strokes in 2019.

The Juvenile division – a subdivision for boys 16 and under – remains in place this year and will run concurrently with the Junior division through the 72-hole competition. Humphreys was awarded the Jack Bailey Trophy in 2021, winning by a commanding 13 strokes over runner-up Zhao. Since its inception in 1970, only ten players have won both the Junior and Juvenile division titles.

New to this year’s tournament is a purse payout. To align with the modernized Rules of Amateur Status, players at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship will now compete for a purse of $8,000 CAD. Amateur golfers may accept prize money up to a maximum of $1,200 CAD, and payouts will be awarded to the top-10 finishers and ties.

Practice rounds are scheduled for August 6^th, followed by the official tee off to the championship on August 7^th. A champion will be crowned at the conclusion of the final round on August 10^th. The field will be reduced to the low 70 players (including ties) at the halfway point of the competition.  

The winner will receive an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Daniel Island Club in Charleston, S.C., as well as a spot in 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

For more information about the 2022 Canadian Junior Boys Championship click here.

SAINTE-JULIE, Qué. – Jean-Philippe Parr of St. Celestin, Que., shot a final-round 2-over-74 en route to winning the Canadian Junior Boys Championship title by one stroke on Thursday at Vallée du Richelieu – Le Club in Sainte-Julie, Que.

The 17-year-old Team Canada National Junior Squad member jumped into the lead by one stroke after Wednesday’s third round following a bogey-free 66 that included an eagle on the second hole.

The final pairing saw Parr chased by duo Cooper Humphreys (Vernon, B.C.) and fellow Junior Squad member Owen Mullen (Shortts Lake, N.S.), both who started the day one back. It came down to the wire with Mullen’s par attempt falling just short on the final hole—avoiding the need for a playoff.

Parr said the key to his final-round success was staying patient and bouncing back from bad shots.

Humphreys, 16, won the Juvenile Boys division (ages 16 and under) by a convincing 13-strokes—the largest margin of victory since 2011 (Kevin Kwon).

“I just wanted to shoot as low as I could, stay patient, hit the middle of the greens, make some putts and try my best,” said Humphreys, who plays out of Harvest Golf Club in Kelowna, B.C.

With the victory, Parr receives exemptions into both the 2022 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Point Grey Golf & Country Club in Vancouver (Aug. 1-4) and the 2022 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon (July 25-30).

Parr adds his name to a list of notable previous Canadian Junior Boys Champions including PGA TOUR player Nick Taylor (2006) and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member George Knudson (1955).

Parr’s resume includes victories at the Quebec Junior and Juvenile Boys Championship in 2020 and both the AJGA Junior at Southpointe and the Future Links Fall Series East in 2019.

Ben MacLean of Niagara Falls, Ont., and Jeevan Sihota of Victoria, B.C., rounded out the top five in a tie for fourth place at 1 under.

The 2022 Canadian Junior Boys Championship will be held at Rivershore Golf Links in Kamloops, B.C.

Click here for full results.

SAINTE-JULIE, Qué. – The Canadian Junior Boys Championship is set for Aug. 9-12 at Vallée du Richelieu – Le Club in Sainte-Julie, Que.

The 156-player field includes five of seven Team Canada National Junior Squad members; Félix Bouchard (Otterburn Park, Qué.), Jean-Philippe Parr (St-Célestin, Qué.), Malik Dao (Notre-Dame-Ile-Perrot, Qué.), Owen Mullen (Shortts Lake, N.S.), and Willy Bishop (Victoria, B.C.).

The winner of the championship will receive an exemption into both the 2022 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Point Grey Golf & Country Club in Vancouver (Aug. 1-4) and the 2022 U.S. Junior Amateur at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon (July 25-30).

Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que. became the first back-to-back champion of the event since 2009, with his victory at the 2019 championship.

The championship will be contested on the par 72, 7,056 yard Rouville Course at Vallée du Richelieu.  The club has played host to a number of PGA, LPGA, and PGA TOUR Champions Tour events.

The Canadian Junior Boys Championship is a 72-hole stroke play event, with a 36-hole cut to the low 70 players and ties. In the event of a tie at the end of four rounds, there will be a hole-by-hole playoff immediately following completion of 72-holes.

The 72-hole tournament returns for the first time since 2019, after the pandemic caused the cancellation of Golf Canada’s 2020 competitive season. The practice round will be conducted on Sunday, August 8^th.

Previous winners of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship include PGA TOUR player Nick Taylor (2006), and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member George Knudson (1955).

Click here for the full field and tournament information.

NOTABLES

Félix Bouchard

The 17-year-old from Otterburn Park, Que., is in his first year as a member of Team Canada. In 2020 he was a quarterfinalist at the Québec Junior Match Play and in 2019 he finished second at the Future Links Fall Series (East). In 2017, he won the Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Final in the boys 12-14 division.

Jean-Philippe Parr

The 17-year-old from St-Célestin, Qué., is in his second year as a member of Team Canada. In 2020, he won the Quebec Junior and Juvenile Boys Championship, and finished in a tie for 12th at the AJGA Junior All-Star Invitational. In 2019, he won both the AJGA Junior at Southpointe and the Future Links Fall Series East.

Malik Dao

The 17-year-old from Notre-Dame-Ile-Perrot, Qué., is in his second year as a member of Team Canada. In 2020, he won the Québec Men’s Amateur Championship and in 2019 he won the Future Links Atlantic and the Québec Junior Boys Match Play. He also finished second at the 2019 Future Links Fall Series East.

Owen Mullen

The 17-year-old from Shortts Lake, N.S. is in his first year as a member of Team Canada. In 2020, he won the Nova Scotia Junior Boys Championship and finished fourth at the Nova Scotia Men’s Amateur. In 2018, he won the Future Links Atlantic Championship.

Willy Bishop

The 17-year-old from Victoria, B.C., is in his first year as a member of Team Canada. In 2020, he won the B.C. Junior and Juvenile Championship and finished seventh at the B.C. Men’s Amateur Championship. In 2019, he finished sixth at the Future Links Fall Series (West).

Ben MacLean

The Team Ontario member from Niagara Falls, Ont., finished second at the Alberta Golf 2020 Junior Boys Championship, and fifth at the Golf Ontario 2020 Juvenile Boys Championship. In 2019, MacLean finished tied for second at the Golf Ontario Juvenile Boys Championship and tied for thid at the Golf Canada Future Links Ontario.

Jeevan Sihota

In 2020, Sihota, of Victoria, B.C., finished sixth at the Billy Horschel Junior Championship and tied for fourth at the Vista Valley Junior, both AJGA events. In 2019, Sihota finished tied for third at the Future Links Pacific Championship, second at the AJGA’s Kyle Stanley Championship and tied for ninth at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship. In 2017, Sihota won the Future Links Pacific Championship.

FAST FACTS

The first championship was held in 1938, which was won by James Hogan.

The junior champion earns an exemption into the 2022 Canadian Men’s Amateur and U.S Junior Amateur Championships.

Canadian Golf Hall of Famers who have won the championship include Doug Silverberg, George Knudson, Gary Cowan and Doug Roxburgh.

In 1970, the 16-and-under Juvenile Championship was added to the event. It runs concurrently with the competition and the winner receives the Jack Bailey Trophy.

In 2018, Christopher Vandette won the Juvenile and Junior titles, thanks to a final round 6-under-par 65.

Ten golfers have won both the Juvenile and Junior titles: Jim Rutledge, Jeff Makahon, Rob McMillan, Jesse Collinson, Dustin Risdon, Gord Scutt, Rafael Lee, Mitch Sutton, Charles-Éric Bélanger and Vandette.

Current PGA TOUR player Nick Taylor captured the title in 2006.

The lowest single-round score in the tournament’s history is a 62, achieved in the third round in 2017 by Calvin Ross, a Fredericton, N.B. product. Ross went on to win the championship.

Christopher Vandette was the last competitor to win back-to-back titles, doing so in 2018 and 2019.

OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Due to continued health concerns as well as government restrictions on travel and group gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, Golf Canada has cancelled all of its amateur golf competitions for the duration of the 2020 season.

The National Sport Federation had previously announced the cancellation or postponement of a number of its junior and amateur competitions scheduled through mid-June.

“National amateur competitions have been a proud focus throughout our 125-year history and while we share in the disappointment of competitors, our host clubs and event volunteers, the most important consideration is the health and safety of the people who come together at our championships,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Ongoing travel restrictions—both international and across some provincial borders—in addition to continued restrictions on larger group gatherings and limitations on player training were significant contributors to this decision. We are also sensitive to the needs of our host clubs to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their staff and members.”

The 107th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, one of the top-ranked women’s amateur events in the world that attracts many international athletes, was scheduled to begin in five weeks at The Royal Montreal Golf Club from July 21-24. In addition, the 116th Canadian Men’s Amateur which features a 264-player field was scheduled to take place at The Glencoe Golf & Country Club in Calgary, Alta. from August 3-6 – marking the 125th anniversary of this storied championship. The cancellations will mark the first time since the second World War where these two national championships will not be conducted.

Golf Canada has also announced that the National Orders of Merit will not be awarded in 2020. The purpose of the points-based rankings is to identify and give recognition top-performing male and female amateur and junior golfers across Canada who have achieved success in the golf season. The decision to not award the Orders of Merit was made recognizing the varying access Canadian golfers will have to domestic and international competitions, and the resulting difficulty in running an equitable ranking system. Golf Canada will look to resume the Orders of Merit on September 1st, 2020 for the 2021 rankings. For more information, please visit the National Orders of Merit page by clicking here.

Golf Canada and Golf Ontario previously announced the cancellation of the 7th annual World Junior Girls Championship, scheduled for September 30 – October 3, 2020 at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 20 championships nation-wide which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf referees, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by RBC, Canadian Pacific, Sport Canada, Levelwear, Titleist and FootJoy. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/competitions.

HARTLAND, N.B. – Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., withstood a strong push from the field, going wire-to-wire to defend his title and win the 81st Canadian Junior Boys Championship held at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club in Hartland, N.B.

Vandette carded a final round of 1-under-par 71 to finish the championship at 14 under, winning by a single stroke over Brady McKinlay of Lacombe, Alta. The 18-year-old tied the lowest round ever at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship when he shot 62 in the opening round. Although the field closed the gap as the week wore on, the Team Canada National Junior Squad member emerged victorious.

“It was a long week, especially after such a good first round,” said Vandette. “I ran out of gas a bit at the end, but managed to get it done. I’m really excited and proud of myself for holding on to the lead there.”

Vandette birdied the par-5 18th to clinch the championship. His second shot from the fairway landed within 15 feet of the pin, where Vandette then two-putted to secure the title.

“You can’t see the green at all [from the fairway], so I was just aiming at someone in the crowd there,” added Vandette. “I let it drift toward the left part of the green. I overdrew it a bit, but it held on and stayed on the fringe.”

Vandette briefly trailed McKinlay on the back nine, but retook the lead with a birdie on the par-4 16th hole. McKinlay bogeyed the hole, giving Vandette a one-stroke lead he would not relinquish.

“I wasn’t putting well all day – I actually three-putted No. 15,” said Vandette. “On No. 16, I managed to hit it close enough to not have to worry about my putt. I wasn’t focusing on what Brady was doing, but he just ended up with a bad break.”

With the victory, Vandette becomes the first back-to-back champion since Mitch Sutton won in 2008 and 2009.

As the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys individual champion, Vandette earns an exemption into the 2020 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, held at The Glencoe Golf & Country Club in Calgary from August 3-6, 2020.

Despite trailing by ten shots after the first round, McKinlay made a charge in the final round by carding a 4-under-par 68. The 18-year-old shot even-par in the opening round, but rebounded with rounds of 70 and 65 in rounds two and three to finish runner-up.

“I was a little bit disappointed with the first two days,” said McKinlay. “The last two days were picture-perfect almost, I just needed a couple of more shots. To keep going lower and lower up until the last day and then to do 4 under today was really good.”

The second-place finish caps a series of strong performances for McKinlay, who finished tied for second at the Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship, third at the Alberta Junior Championship and made the cut at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Carter Graf of Sylvan Lake, Alta., finished third at 11 under by posting a final round of 2 under 70.

The 16-and-under Juvenile division was decided in a playoff. Both Tommy McKenzie (Calgary) and Luke DelGobbo (Fonthill, Ont.) finished 72 holes at 8 under. DelGobbo, 16, won the title with a par on the second playoff hole.

Full scoring can be found here.

HARTLAND, N.B. – When the fog cleared, Christopher Vandette (Beaconsfield, Que.) continued to lead heading into the final round of the 81st Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club.

Vandette had his lead shrink to two strokes during Wednesday’s third round. He began the day with three birdies on his first six holes, but two straight bogeys on holes No. 16 and No. 17 made for a round of even-par 72.

“I was in a good rhythm at the start and putts were falling,” said Vandette. “At the end, I think I made a couple of dumb decisions, just like yesterday. That’s what cost me the most shots.”

The 18-year-old is looking to become the first champion to defend his title since Mitch Sutton (London, Ont.) did so in 2009.

“The city of Hartland and these people really care about this week and they’re showing it,” added Vandette. “A lot of people are showing up and it’s actually a lot of fun. They’re proud to host and us as players are fortunate to have a town who cares about it.”

Vandette’s Team Canada National Junior Squad teammate, Jeevan Sihota (Victoria) continued to play consistent golf, firing a round of 4 under, and is now sitting at 11 under for the tournament. Sihota birdied four of his first five holes and played even-par golf the rest of the way. He has only three bogeys through the first 54 holes of the competition and is two back of Vandette.

“It was a pretty good overall day,” said Sihota. “I missed quite a few short putts today, which hopefully tomorrow I’ll be able to hole those. I’m driving it really well – if you’re in the fairway here, it’s hard to make bogey from 60 yards.”

Sihota, 15, is leading the 16-and-under Juvenile division by four strokes over Tommy McKenzie (Calgary). All three of Sihota’s rounds have been in the 60s.

Vandette, Sihota and Carter Graf made up the final group of the third round. Graf shot even-par and is in a tie for third at 9 under, four back of Vandette.

Brady McKinlay shot a 7-under-par 65 on Wednesday, tied for the low score of the third round with Ethan de Graaf (Edmonton, Alta.). McKinlay, a Lacombe, Alta. product, was bogey-free while making back-to-back birdies on holes No. 14 and No. 15. McKinlay is tied with Graf for third at 9 under.

The shot of the day belonged to Nicolas-Guy Landry of Calgary. Landry made a hole-in-one on the 163-yard 17th – his first career ace.

The start of the third round was delayed by an hour following a fog delay. Tee times for the final round will begin at 9 a.m.

In addition to the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship title, the individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2020 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Full scoring can be found here.

HARTLAND, N.B. – A day after setting the course record, Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., fired a 3-under-par 69 in the second round to increase his lead at the 81st Canadian Junior Boys Championship held at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club.

Vandette now leads the competition by four strokes, extending the three-shot lead he had after his opening-round 62. The highlights of the 18-year-old’s round were two eagles on the 1st and 6th holes, both par-5s. The Team Canada National Junior Squad member also made three bogeys on Tuesday.

“Today, I hit the ball really well again,” said Vandette. “I putted decent, just the big difference was decisions on the course. I made a couple of really dumb mistakes, but I’m still satisfied with how I played out there.”

Carter Graf of Sylvan Lake, Alta., is in second at 9 under. The 2019 Alberta Junior champion roared up the leaderboard with four straight birdies on holes No. 5 through No. 8, on his way to a round of 4 under.

“I got really hot halfway through the round, that kind of kick-started my round” said Graf. “I hit a lot of greens – 17 greens – so it was pretty easy and pretty stress-free. My good friend Chris is in the lead, so it’s going to be a lot of fun to play against each other and battle it out.”

Jeevan Sihota of Victoria sits in third place a 7 under. The 15-year-old carded a round of 3 under, and leads the 16-and-under Juvenile division by one stroke over Thomas Latter (Mississauga, Ont.).

Six players are tied for fourth place at 6 under; Latter, Bennett Ruby (Waterloo, Ont.), Jace Minni (Delta, B.C.), Freddy D’Angelo (Fonthill, Ont.), Dustin Franko (Delta, B.C.) and Luc Warnock (McGregor, Ont.), the latter of whom shot the low round on Tuesday at 5 under.

Team Québec, consisting of Vandette, Laurent Desmarchais (Longueuil, Que.) and Logan Boucher (Beaconsfield, Que.) won the 36-hole inter-provincial team competition by combining to shoot 19-under-par. Team Alberta finished runner-up, eight shots behind Québec at 11 under.

A total of 77 players who finished 3 over or better have advanced to the final two rounds. The third round is scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday.

In addition to the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship title, the individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2020 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Full scoring can be found here.

HARTLAND, N.B. – Defending champion Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., carded an opening round 62 to lead the 81st Canadian Junior Boys Championship held at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club by three strokes.

Vandette’s 10-under-par 62 included four-straight birdies to close out his round. An eagle on the par-4 15th was the highlight of the 18-year-old’s day. The lone blemish on his scorecard was a bogey on the par-4 11th.

“I’m just really excited in general, it was a fairly smooth day out there,” said Vandette. “There’s still 54 holes ahead. You can’t sprint the marathon. I was pretty comfortable. I don’t think anything was too flashy or incredible today, everything was just rock solid.”

The Team Canada National Junior Squad member equaled the lowest-single round score in the 81-year history of the championship. Calvin Ross, a Fredericton, N.B. product, shot 62 in the third round of the 2017 championship. Ross would go on to win the tournament.

Vandette also shattered previous the course record of 64 at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club.

“I’m extremely honoured, especially to do it at the Canadian Juniors,” said Vandette of setting the course record. “It’s really something special. It was just making very few mistakes and staying out of trouble.”

Dustin Franko of Delta, B.C., sits in second place at 7 under. Franko was bogey-free on Monday, and made three straight birdies on holes No. 11 through No. 13. However, his remarkable round was almost in jeopardy after Sunday’s practice round.

“It was the low round of my career and I’ve never had a bogey-free round either,” said Franko. “I had a bit of a scare yesterday. I walked off after nine holes of the practice round because I had lower back pain after mishitting a shot. I was stretching all night and had hot and cold [compresses] on-and-off. This morning, I had a later tee time, so I got to stretch out quite a bit. It didn’t bother me out on the course at all.”

One stroke behind Franko is Chester, N.S., product Mark Chandler. Chandler was also bogey-free with two of his six birdies coming on par-3s.

“I hit the ball well, found the fairways and greens,” said Chandler. “Some putts dropped for me. This course is pretty open, so hitting the driver well really helps; it gives you a lot of wedges onto the greens, so there’s some good scoring opportunities there.”

Thomas Latter (Mississauga, Ont.) is leading the 16-and-under Juvenile division with an opening round of 5-under-par 67. Latter is tied for fourth in the overall individual competition with Bennett Ruby (Waterloo, Ont.) and Carter Graf (Sylvan Lake, Alta.).

Team Québec consisting of Vandette, Laurent Desmarchais (Longueuil, Que.) and Logan Boucher (Beaconsfield, Que.) jumped out to an early lead in the 36-hole inter-provincial team competition. The trio combined for a score of 13 under par and a six-stroke lead over Team Nova Scotia.

Team Alberta, the three-time defending champions, sit in third place at 5 under par. The inter-provincial team champion will be crowned on Tuesday.

In addition to the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship title, the individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2020 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Full scoring can be found here.

HARTLAND, N.B. – Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club will welcome the nation’s premier junior golfers for the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship. The 81st playing of the tournament will take place between August 11-15 and will consist of 156 golfers from all 10 provinces across Canada.

The Canadian Junior Boys Championship has served as a significant milestone in numerous professional and amateur careers. Before playing on the PGA TOUR, Abbotsford, B.C., native Nick Taylor captured the 2006 Canadian Junior Boys Championship. Other past champions include Canadian Golf Hall of Fame members Doug Silverberg, George Knudson, Gary Cowman and Doug Roxburgh.

“Golf Canada is pleased to head to Hartland to hold our annual Canadian Junior Boys Championship,” said Akash Patel, Tournament Director and Rules and Competitions Coordinator with Golf Canada. “We have received a very warm welcome here and truly appreciate the support and commitment of the staff, volunteers and community. Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club will be a great platform to showcase the talents of Canada’s best junior golfers.”

In 2018, Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., accomplished the rare feat of winning both the Junior and Juvenile divisions. The Team Canada National Junior Squad member became only the 10th golfer to win both titles at the same tournament, being powered to victory by a final round 6-under-par 65 – the lowest round of the tournament.

Vandette will return to defend his title in 2019. He will be joined by his Team Canada National Junior Squad teammates Laurent Desmarchais (Longueuil, Que.), Kai Iguchi (Banff, Alta.) and Jeevan Sihota (Victoria).

In addition to the title of 2019 Canadian Junior Boys champion, the winner will earn an exemption into the 2020 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

An inter-provincial team competition will take place over the first two rounds. The two best scores of the three golfers from each provincial team in rounds one and two count towards the team’s score. The lowest aggregate score over rounds one and two determines the champions.

Alberta will look to capture its fourth straight inter-provincial championship title. The trio of Chandler McDowell (Springbrook, Alta.), Ty Steinbring (Barrhead, Alta.) and Korbin Allan (Strathmore, Alta.) combined to shoot 2 over last year, a stroke ahead of Ontario.

More information about the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship can be found here.

NOTABLES

Christopher Vandette, Beaconsfield, Que.
One of the brightest prospects in Canadian golf, Vandette recently placed third at the 2019 Toyota Junior Golf World Cup. As a 16-year-old, he made the cut at the 2018 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, and was in a tie for 7th following the opening round after posting a 68. Currently ranked first on the Future Links, driven by Acura Boys Order of Merit (despite playing half as many events as his counterparts), Vandette is looking to defend his title.

Laurent Desmarchais, Longueuil, Que.
Desmarchais won six tournaments in 2018, with his win at the Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship being the highlight. After missing the cut at both the Canadian Men’s Amateur and Junior Boys Championships, he finished in the top-two in each of his next three tournaments, including a win at the Quebec Junior Boys Provincial Championship. Desmarchais won the 2019 PNGA Amateur Championship in July.

Kai Iguchi, Banff, Alta.
Iguchi is in his first year on the Team Canada National Junior Squad. His 2018 season featured a victory at the Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship and he finished in a tie for 11th at the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship. This season, Iguchi earned a top-10 at The Glencoe Invitational in June.

Jeevan Sihota, Victoria
The youngest member of the Team Canada National Junior Squad at just 15, Sihota earned a third-place finish at the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship, a competition he won in 2017. While he didn’t win a tournament in 2018, Sihota strung together a series of strong performances that included numerous runner-up and third-place results.

Michael Crisologo, Richmond, B.C.
Crisologo played well at the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship this year, holding off the likes of Vandette and Desmarchais to win the event in a playoff. The brother of Team Canada National Amateur Squad member Chris Crisologo, Michael is looking for some family bragging rights – Chris never finished better than tenth at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

FAST FACTS

The first championship was held in 1938, which was won by James Hogan.

The junior champion earns an exemption into the 2020 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Canadian Golf Hall of Famers who have won the championship include Doug Silverberg, George Knudson, Gary Cowan and Doug Roxburgh.

In 1970, the 16-and-under Juvenile Championship was added to the event. It runs concurrently with the competition and the winner receives the Jack Bailey Trophy.

In 2018, Christopher Vandette won the Juvenile and Junior titles, thanks to a final round 6-under-par 65.

Ten golfers have won both the Juvenile and Junior titles: Jim Rutledge, Jeff Makahon, Rob McMillan, Jesse Collinson, Dustin Risdon, Gord Scutt, Rafael Lee, Mitch Sutton, Charles-Éric Bélanger and Vandette.

There is a Junior Inter-Provincial Team championship that is held in conjunction with the first 36 holes of the tournament, which has been held since 1959. Alberta has won the last three Inter-Provincial Championships.

Current PGA TOUR player Nick Taylor captured the title in 2006.

The lowest single-round score in the tournament’s history is a 62, achieved in the third round in 2017 by Calvin Ross, a Fredericton, N.B. product. Ross went on to win the championship.

Mitchell Sutton was the last competitor to win back-to-back titles, doing so in 2009 and 2010.

More information on the event including tee times can be found here.

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – The competition and weather continued to heat up during the final round of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship. Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., carded a tournament-low 65 to tie the course record and win the Canadian Junior Boys Championship on Thursday at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club.

The Team Canada Development Squad rookie catapulted to the top of the leaderboard to win the championship and the juvenile division title, becoming only the 10th player to accomplish that feat since the juvenile division was established 48 years ago.

“I knew the first few holes were very gettable. The first six holes can get you off to a roll, which I did,” said the Beaconsfield, Que., talent. “After that, it was just staying calm and just focusing on my game.”

Vandette’s hot streak started early on with two sets of back-to-back birdies on the front-nine. From there the 16-year-old never looked back, recording two other birdies to secure his two-stroke victory.

His teammates didn’t take long to express their excitement as they rushed him beside the green, dousing him in water in celebration right after he received his medals. Despite spending the week eating Pita Pit and joking that he should thank them in his speech, Vandette plans on celebrating in style alongside his team.

“It feels awesome just to compete against the best junior players in Canada and somehow come on top,” added Vandette. “I’d say routines were a lot better today and just my focus on top of the ball was a lot better. Just trusting my shots.”

When asked about his top three favourite moments of the tournament, Vandette couldn’t hold back his smile. Winning the tournament and beating the course record were of course number one and two, but his third favourite moment may surprise you.

“Number three would have to be the moose delay we had yesterday, so every tee time was pushed back twenty minutes,” said Vandette with a laugh. “That was pretty funny.”

With a national championship win, a historic final day run and a moose on the loose, the tournament was certainly one to remember for the junior. Vandette will have his name engraved on the Jack Bailey trophy and the Silver Cup as the event’s 80th champion. Vandette earned an exemption into the 2018 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship from Aug. 7-10.

Two players – Gerry Mei of North York, Ont., and Olivier Ménard of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que., earned silver medal honours. Ménard carded his second 71 to finish tied for second alongside Mei.

“It was a great event. I played well so I mean for me it was a pretty good event,” said the 18-year-old. “I couldn’t catch Chris but I’m still proud. You have to control yourself, you can’t control what he’s doing.”

Mei, who tied for the lead going into the final round, also earned the silver medal in the juvenile division at even-par 284. Jeffrey Fang of Newmarket, Ont., rounded out the top three juveniles with a 4-over-par 288.

Always a dedicated golfer, the 15-year-old came out early to complete two extra practice rounds, which he credits to helping him play well in the tournament.

“I’m very pleased with how I played today. Overall, I’m pleased with how I just came out for the entire tournament,” said Mei. “Everything was working pretty fine, my putting was good had a couple of mistakes here or there but that’s golf.”

When all is said and done, it was a historic final round at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club that the players are sure to remember. The 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship is set to take place at Covered Bridge Golf and Country Club in Hartland, N.B., from August 11-15, 2019.

2018 CANADIAN JUNIOR BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL RESULTS

1. Christopher Vandette, Beaconsfield, QC, *70-74-73-65-282 -2
2. Gerry Mei, North York, ON, *71-72-69-72-284 E
2. Olivier Ménard, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC, *70-72-71-71-284 E
4. Daniel George, Richmond Hill, ON, *68-75-69-73-285 +1
4. Ryan McMillan, Winnipeg, MB, *73-69-73-70-285 +1

2018 CANADIAN JUNIOR BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP JUVENILE DIVISION

1. Christopher Vandette, Beaconsfield, QC, *73-70-6574-282 -2
2. Gerry Mei, North York, ON, *69-71-7272-284 E
3. Jeffrey Fang, Newmarket, ON, *72-74-7072-288 +4
4. Romi Dilawri, Ottawa, ON, *71-72-7274-289 +5
5. Brycen Ko, Richmond, BC, *72-73-7273-290 +6

For full results click here.