MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – The weather in Medicine Hat wasn’t the only thing heating up during round three of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship. After 72 players battled underneath the blazing sun at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club, Gerry Mei and Daniel George emerged as co-leaders into Thursday’s final round.

George registered four birdies and two bogeys for his one-shot lead alongside Mei.

“I was just driving the ball straight, hitting a lot of fairways, hitting a lot of greens, and making some clutch putts,” said the Richmond Hill, Ont., native. “It feels great, I’m as excited as I’ve ever been for anything. I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

Mei had a pretty shaky front-nine after a double bogey on hole 8 but shined on the back-nine, carding five birdies to head into the final day at 1 under.

“I had a pretty shaky front-nine. I had one double on the eighth hole and I was a little bit unconfident going into my back-nine, but starting hole 10 I got things going,” said Mei. “My putting was good and I was saving a lot of putts that were really important for today.”

Mei also leads the juvenile division with a comfortable 5-stroke margin.

“I’m a little bit nervous for tomorrow but I think I’m going to try and maintain my putting and do a lot of practice to keep going,” said the 15-year-old. “My plan going into tomorrow is to try and not think too much about the numbers. Play every shot not thinking about the next one.”

Luc Warnock of McGregor, Ont., and Olivier Ménard of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que., are only one stroke back in a tie for third.

Warnock carded a scorching 4 under with two birdies and an eagle on the front-nine but ran into trouble with three bogeys across his final three holes. Still, the 17-year-old was all smiles when he finished the round.

“I felt really good this morning. I know I’m hitting the ball straight so far this week so it’s really just whether or not I could hit some good putts today and I did,” said Warnock. “I’m excited for what tomorrow will bring and I’ll relish it.”

Team Canada Development Squad Johnny Travale fired his second 69 of the tournament to climb into a tie for tenth at 3 over. Travale’s teammates Christopher Vandette and Peyton Callens also cracked the top-20 at 4 over and 5 over, respectively.

With seven other players within 3 shots of victory, Friday’s final round will certainly be one to watch.

In the juvenile division, three players – Luca Ferrara (Toronto, Ont.), Romi Dilawri (Ottawa, Ont.) and Team Canada’s Christopher Vandette (Beaconsfield, Que.) – are in second behind Mei at 4 over.

In addition to the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship title, the individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2018 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Duncan Meadows and Pheasant Glen from Aug. 6-9.

For full results click here.

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – After starting the day in a four-way tie for the lead, Brady McKinlay posted a 71 during the second round to move into solo-first at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club on Tuesday.

The Lacombe, Alta., talent carded an even-par 71, recovering from a double bogey on the back-nine with an impressive eagle fired on the 18th hole.

London’s Cam Kellett was one of four players to earn a low-round 69. The 18-year-old started the day strong with three birdies on the front-nine, recording only one bogey on his final hole to share a piece of second alongside yesterday’s co-leader Bennett Ruby of Waterloo, Ont.

Five golfers ­ — Olivier Ménard (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que.), Cole Wilson (Kelowna, B.C.), William Duquette (Laval, Que.), Ryan McMillan (Winnipeg, Man.)  and Chandler McDowell (Springbrook, Alta.)— sit in fourth at even-par.

For the third consecutive year, McDowell led the way for Team Alberta to win the inter-provincial championship, tying for a low score of the day 2-under-par 69. McDowell and his team members Ty Steinbring and Korbin Allan shot a combined 2 under on Tuesday to pass Team Ontario by one stroke. Team British Columbia finished in third at 7 over.

In the juvenile division, 15-year-old Gerry Mei from North York, Ont., claimed top spot on the leaderboard after he recorded a 1-over-par 72. Team Canada Development Squad’s Christopher Vandette is tied for second alongside Toronto’s Luca Ferrara, one stroke behind at 2 over.

The cut was set at 8 over par and 72 golfers will advance to the final two rounds on Wednesday and Thursday.

In addition to the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship title, the individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2018 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Duncan Meadows and Pheasant Glen from Aug. 6-9.

For full results click here.

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – Daniel George, Bennett Ruby, William Duquette and Brady McKinlay fired matching 68s to share the lead after the first round of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club on Monday.

Two of the co-leaders — Duquette of Laval, Que., and Ruby of Waterloo, Ont., — recorded an eagle in their first round.

“My eagle was pretty sweet. It was all over the pin and then it just spun around and went right back into the cup.” ” said Ruby with a laugh. “I didn’t realize I made the shot until I saw my mom pointing at it.”

After starting on the back-nine and firing an eagle on his second hole, Duquette remained pretty consistent.

“It was a pretty good round. I hit the ball pretty well, my putter could have been a bit more consistent, but overall it was good,” said Duquette after his first round. “This is my third Canadian Junior Boys Championship and it’s always a nice tournament to play in with all the best players in Canada.”

McKinlay of Lancombe, Alta., and George of Richmond Hill, Ont., round out the four heading into Tuesday’s round with a one-stroke lead.

In the 16-and-under juvenile division, Jace Minni sits atop of the leaderboard 2 under. Last year’s juvenile division winner, Team Canada’s Christopher Vandette, sits one-shot back with a piece of second alongside Spencer Grainger and Luca Ferrara.

Team Ontario leads the inter-provincial competition after the team consisting of Nolan Piazza, Matthew Anderson and Luc Warnock shot a combined 1 over. Team Quebec and Alberta are tied for second at 2 over.

In addition to the 2018 Canadian Jr Boys Championship title, the individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2018 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at from Aug. 6-9.

For full results click here.

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – Medicine Hat Golf and Country Club will welcome the nation’s premier young golfers for the 2018 Canadian Junior Boy Championship. The 80th playing of the tournament will take place between July 30-Aug. 2 and will consist of 156 junior golfers, including all five members of Team Canada’s Development Squad.

Founded in 1913, Medicine Hat Golf and Country Club is a par-72 championship golf course located on the cliffs of the South Saskatchewan River.

“Our tremendous staff has worked very hard and the course is in fantastic shape. The community of Medicine Hat is extremely excited to host an event of this calibre,” said Cam Jacques, General Manager at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club. “We look forward to hosting this strong field through what is sure to be a great week of golf.”

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

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

In 2017, Calvin Ross became the first New Brunswick golfer to win the Canadian Junior Boys Championship after the Fredericton native set an amateur course-record 62 during the third round, eventually securing a seven-stroke victory. Team Canada’s Christopher Vandette won the under-16 Juvenile title.

In order to be eligible to participate in the championship, all entrants must be under 19 years of age as of August 1^st, 2018. This year’s field will consist of the defending Canadian Juvenile Junior Champion, Team Canada Development Squad members, the current Junior Club Champion, the top six finishers in all Future Links, driven by Acura regional championships and those players earning a spot through their respective provincial championship.

NOTABLES
Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que.
The 16-year-old Team Canada Development Squad member finished third at the event last year, the highest of any returning player. Vandette, who was ranked No.1 on the 2017 Future Links, driven by Acura Order of Merit, is coming into the tournament with two top-ten finishes, including a solo second at the 2018 Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship. 

Cam Kellett of London, Ont.
The 18-year-old, who will be competing in his first ever Canadian Junior Boys Championship, is currently ranked No.1 on the Future Links, driven by Acura Order of Merit. Kellett finished in the top-10 in six of the seven events he has competed in this year so far, including a win at Golf Ontario Men’s Match Play Championship and second place finishes at Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship and Golf Ontario Investors Group Junior Spring Classic.

Matthew Anderson of Mississauga, Ont.
The 18-year-old member of Team Ontario is currently ranked No.3 on the Future Links, driven by Acura Order of Merit and is coming into the tournament with a win at Golf Ontario Investors Group Junior Spring Classic and four top-ten finishes.

Ethan Choi of Pincher Creek, Alta.
The 16-year-old is currently ranked No.4 on the Future Links, driven by Acura Order of Merit and finished T5 at this event last year. Choi has four top-five finishes in 2018 so far, including a win at PGA of Alberta Junior Masters.

Nolan Thoroughgood of Victoria, B.C.
The 17-year-old rookie member of the Team Canada Development Squad finished in fourth at the event last year T3 at the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship at Bear Mountain Resort – Valley Course in May and has finished in the top-ten in nine out of the 10 tournaments he competed in during 2017.

FAST FACTS

• The first championship was held in 1938, which was won by James Hogan.
• Current Canadian Golf Hall of Famers who 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 Championship, which runs concurrently with the competition, with the winner receiving the Jack Bailey Trophy.
• Nine 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 and Charles-Eric Belanger.
• 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.
• The Junior champion earns an exemption into the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.
• 2017 Junior Champion: Calvin Ross.
• 2017 Juvenile Champion: Christopher Vandette.
• 2017 Inter-Provincial champion: Alberta
• Current PGA TOUR player Nick Taylor captured the title in 2006.
• London, Ont., product Mitch Sutton was the last player to win the event in back-to-back years in 2008 and 2009.
• More information on the event including tee times can be found here.

ABOUT THE COURSE

• Established in 1913.
• Course was redesigned during 1984-1986
• The 9^th & 10^th holes were just recently redesigned and rebuilt during the fall of 2017. These two greens will open for play in May of 2018.
• Hosted the Alberta Ladies Amateur, Alberta Men’s Amateur and 2016 CN Future Links Western Championship
• Assistant Professional Jesse Florkowski is the reigning 3-time One Arm World Champion Golfer
• Course tournament record: 65 by Kelly Risling in 2016
• More information can be found here.

Calvin Ross carded an 8-under-par 62 setting a new amateur course record at Cataraqui Golf & Country Club during the third round of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship on Wednesday.

Ross went bogey free for the fourth time ever and registered six birdies and a clutch eagle on the par-5 fifth hole, moving him to 10 under on the tournament with a seven-stroke lead.

“I’m a little nervous right now,” he said, in front of the large crowd that gathered to see his final putt fall. “Which is weird because it’s all done now, but I’m happy. I’m really proud of myself and I hope I can keep it going tomorrow.”

The 18-year-old from Fredericton, N.B., was 7 under par as he launched his tee shot on the 18th hole behind the iconic tree sitting in the middle of the fairway at Cataraqui Golf and Country Club. Invisible to the gallery waiting greenside because of the obstacle, Ross grabbed his 8-iron and hooked it around the tree.

The ball landed less than three feet to the hole.

“It scared me for a little bit because it hung out over the trees for a long time, but when it went down is when it started to move the most,” he said. “While watching it I thought it was going to land on the hill just to the right and kick hard across the green. For it to carry was a little bit of luck.”

Calvin Ross sets a new @Catgandcc with an 8-under-par 62 ??

Full leaderboard: https://t.co/gZlKdj0nP3 pic.twitter.com/q3vdc8ehQx

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) August 2, 2017

Playing next to Ross during the third round was Tristan Mandur from Mill Bay, B.C. The 18-year-old shot a 1-under-par 69 to move to 3 under for the tournament and sits alone in second place.

Christopher Vandette launched himself up the leaderboard and into contention after he shot a 6-under-par 64 – the lowest round of the tournament up to that point.

“I was getting it off the tee really well today,” he said. “I hit my irons really well and I was finally sinking some putts so it feels good. I knew that if I had a good round today then I would be right there with the leaders. Now I just have to do the same thing tomorrow.”

The 15-year-old from Beaconsfield, Que., started his day back at T37 at 5 over par before he registered the first 64 of the tournament and moved to 1 under par and into T3.

Fellow 15-year-old Ethan Choi from Pincher Creek, Alta., carded a 68 on Wednesday and shares third place with Vandette.

Both Vandette and Choi share the lead for the juvenile division while Kai Iguchi (Banff, Alta.) and Nolan Thoroughgood (Victoria, B.C.) sit two strokes back at 1 over par.

In addition to the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship title, the individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2017 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at The Toronto Golf Club and Islington Golf Club in Toronto from Aug. 7-10.

For full results click here.

Calvin Ross, Joel Veenstra and Tristan Mandur are all deadlocked at the top of the leaderboard at 2 under par after round two at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Cataraqui Golf & Country Club on Tuesday.

Mandur shot a 3-under-par 67 after he carded six total birdies and limited himself to one bogey and one double bogey. The 18-year-old from Mill Bay, B.C., shot a 1-over-par 71 in his opening round and used the same tactics on day two.

“I used the same game plan as the first day,” he said, next to the 18th green. “I just wanted to execute my shots and have fun. I hit a lot of good putts and chips, my short game was solid today.”

Ross, from Fredericton, N.B., started the day alone in second after his opening-round 67. However, the 18-year-old, who started his round from the 10th tee, dipped down the standings as the day wore on and was 3 over par through 14 holes.

“I was a little bit worried after I was plus three, but I knew the front nine was a little bit easier than the back,” he said. “I knew I could make a few birdies and my putter got hot towards the end and managed to make a few putts.”

His putter served him admirably down the stretch as he registered birdies on three of his last four holes to lock in a 1-over-par 71 to give him a share of the lead.

Veenstra got off to a rough start with a bogey on his first hole, but gained the stroke back with a birdie on the par-5 fourth hole. The Smithers, B.C., product played steady golf from there on out and made par on the remaining holes.

Four players stand one stroke back of the trio of leaders at 1 under par. Round one leader Marcus Khaw (Burlington, Ont.) stumbled with a 3-over-par 73 and Tyler McDowell (Whitby, Ont.) scored 2 under par to bring him up the standings.

Team Canada Development Squad members Chandler McDowell (Springbrook, Atla.) and Peyton Callens (Langton, Ont.) round out the juniors who hold shares of fourth place. Callens shot a 2-under-par 68 while Chandler McDowell locked in a 1-under-par 69.

In the Juvenile division, 16-year-old Nolan Thoroughgood from Victoria, B.C., claimed top spot on the leaderboard after he recorded a 1-under-par 69 to bring him to even par for the tournament. Johnny Travale (16) from Stoney Creek, Ont., and Ethan Choi (15) from Pincher Creek, Alta., are tied in second one stroke back of Thoroughgood.

Team Alberta won the inter-provincial championship after team members Max Sekulic (Rycroft, Alta.), Matt Bean (Canmore, Alta.) and Chandler McDowell shot a combined 4 under par on Tuesday to pass New Brunswick, the round one leaders, by one stroke. Team Ontario finished in a tie for second with New Brunswick.

The cut was set at 8 over par and 71 golfers will advance to the final two rounds on Wednesday and Thursday.

In addition to the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship title, the individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2017 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at The Toronto Golf Club and Islington Golf Club in Toronto from Aug. 7-10.

For full results click here.

Marcus Khaw shot a 4-under-par 66 and sits as the clubhouse leader after the first round was put on hold due to weather and darkness at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Cataraqui Golf & Country Club on Monday.

Khaw registered five birdies and just one bogey for his one-shot lead.

“I started off by hitting a lot of greens but I wasn’t making many putts until I hit one to within a foot of the ninth hole and got my first birdie,” he said, after his round. “I was more consistent and hitting a lot of pars until that birdie and then things really started to happen.”

The 17-year-old from Burlington, Ont., started his opening round with eight straight pars before carding a birdie just before the turn. After he made his second birdie on No. 12, it looked like he was about to get things going but the field was called in at 3:18 p.m. due to inclement weather.

After the break, Khaw immediately scored his only bogey of the day, but he turned it around from there.

“As soon as they let us keep playing I bogeyed my first hole but then the putts started to fall for me.”

In his final six holes he carded three of his five birdies while dealing with the wetter conditions from the weather delay.

Calvin Ross, from Fredericton, N.B., sits in second place after he shot a 3-under-par 67. He too was affected by the break in action, but he still managed to keep his scorecard bogey free and climbed up the standings with birdies on holes three, eight and 16.

Joel Veenstra battled the creeping darkness and carded a 2-under-par 68 just prior to play getting called. The 17-year-old from Smithers, B.C., recorded just one bogey and carded a birdie on his final hole to hold third place.

Five players sit tied in fourth place after shooting 1 under par: Kai Iguchi (Banff, Alta.), David Tweddell (Quebec, Que.), Griffin Jones (Manotick, Ont.), Shawn Sehra and Benjamin Chassé.

In the 16-and-under juvenile division, Iguchi (16) and Sehra (14) sit deadlocked at the top of the leaderboard. Johnny Travale, a 16-year-old from Stoney Creek, Ont., sits one stroke behind the co-leaders, after an eagle on the par-4 third hold led to an even-par 70.

Team New Brunswick leads the inter-provincial competition after the team consisting of Sam Reid, Calvin Ross and Stuart Earle shot a combined 2 under par. Team Ontario sits in second at even par and Team Alberta holds on to third place at 1 over par.

In addition to the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship title, the individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2017 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Toronto Golf Club and Islington Golf Club in Toronto from Aug. 7-10.

The first round will resume at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

For full results click here.

Cataraqui Golf & Country Club will welcome the nation’s best young golfers for the 2017 Canadian Junior Boy Championship. The 79th playing of the tournament will take place between July 31-Aug. 3 and will consist of 156 of many of the nation’s best junior golfers, including all four members of Team Canada’s Development Squad.

Cataraqui was designed by famed Canadian golf course architect, Stanley Thompson, and boasts one of the best courses in the entire country and the only one in the surrounding area ranked on SCOREgolf’s 2016 top 100 Canadian courses (No. 91). Overlooking Lake Ontario and currently enjoying its centennial year, the course features rolling fairways and small breaking greens designed to challenge players’ shot making skills.

“Our tremendous staff has worked very hard and the course is in great shape. The community of Kingston is extremely excited to host an event of this calibre,” said Jay Gazeley, COO of Cataraqui Golf & Country Club. “We look forward to hosting this strong field through what is sure to be a great week of golf.”

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

“Golf Canada is pleased to head to Kingston to hold our annual Canadian Junior Boys Championship,” said Tournament Director Akash Patel. “We have received a very warm welcome here and truly appreciate the support and commitment of the staff. Cataraqui will be a great platform to showcase the talents of Canada’s best junior golfers.”

In 2016, Sam Meek, from Peterborough, Ont., shot an opening-round 66 that eventually propelled him to a two-shot victory and finished at 3 under for the tournament. The 18-year-old returns in hopes of becoming the championship’s eighth back-to-back winner and its first since Mitch Sutton accomplished the feat in 2008-09.

In order to be eligible to participate in the championship field all entrants must be under the 19 years of age. This year’s field will consist of the defending Canadian Junior Champion – both Junior and Juvenile – the Team Canada Development Squad members, the current Junior Club Champion/Host Club exemption, the top six finishers in all Future Links, driven by Acura regional championships and those players earning a spot through their respective provincial championship.

More information, including tee times, can be found here.

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Any memories of inclement weather during the 2016 Canadian Junior Boys Championship were all but forgotten thanks to clear skies and brilliant sunshine during the final round at Clovelly. Sam Meek took advantage of the conditions to earn a come-from-behind victory and claim the national junior title.

With the victory, Meek becomes the prestigious championship’s 78^th winner. The history of the competition and the significance of the victory were not lost upon the champion.

“This win means the world,” said the native of Peterborough, Ont. “This is what I’ve strived to accomplish my entire junior golf career. To have my name on the same trophy as some of those winners is incredible. This is the top of junior golf in Canada, so just to be a part of that is an amazing feeling.”

The 17-year-old entered the final round with a share of third, trailing dual-citizen Thomas Critch of Cedar Park, Texas, by three shots. Meek tallied two birdies on the day for a 1-under 71 showing.

“I’ve been hitting it really well all week, so I had a lot of trust in myself there,” he explained when asked about the keys to the win. “Basically just staying patient. I started the day pretty far back. I was three shots behind Thomas. He struggled a bit off the bat, so I was able to get something going there. I believe I made the turn two shots over him, so just staying steady on the back nine was the key from there.”

“Coming in, I feel like I have a lot of experience,” added the champion. “This is my third Canadian Junior now, so I was able to kind of build off what I’ve learned from people who have won this in the past and see what they did to be successful. It just kind of came down to thinking back to all the hard work I’ve put into it and just trying to stay in the moment and not get too far ahead of myself.”

In addition to claiming the Silver Cup as Canadian Junior Boys champion, Meek has earned an exemption into the 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship to be contested at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club and Eagle Creek Golf Club from August 8-11.

“I feel like I have a lot of confidence in my game,” said the Southern Illinois University commit, when asked about the challenge ahead. “The Canadian Amateur is a big tournament, so it’ll be a lot of fun to play against those guys. I don’t have a lot of opportunities to play against them, so I’m just testing my game against the best amateurs in the country, it’ll be a lot of fun.”

Thomas Critch, whose familial ties to the host city garnered him a strong following throughout the competition, finished 1-under 287 to capture runner-up honours in the Junior division. The 16-year-old’s performance earned him the title of 2016 Canadian Juvenile Boys champion. The winner of the 16-and-under Juvenile division held the 54-hole lead before shooting a final-round 76.

A pair of 16-year-olds finished 1-over 289 to claim third in the overall competition and second in the Juvenile division. Peyton Callens of Langton, Ont., registered a 68 on the day to climb the leaderboard. He adds the result to a season which has included the Ontario Junior Boys’ title and a victory at the CN Future Links Prairie Championship. Duncan, B.C., native and reigning CN Future Links Quebec champion Callum Davison collected two birdies en route to a 76.

Alberta claimed the inter-provincial team title which was played concurrently over the championship’s first 36 holes. Calgary’s Brendan MacDougall, Chandler McDowell of Springbrook and Matt Bean from Canmore finished 2-under 286 for a nine-stroke victory.

The 2017 edition of the competition will be contested at Cataraqui Golf & Country in Kingston, Ont., from July 31 to August 3.

Additional information on the 2016 Canadian Junior Boys Championship can be found here.

JOHN’S, N.L. – Early morning clouds separated and beams of sunshine broke through in much the same way that third-round action unfolded at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship. Thomas Critch, who began the day with a share of 7^th, carded a 5-under 67 to sit atop the leaderboard at Clovelly.

Critch – a dual citizen who resides in Cedar Park, Texas – collected seven birdies on the day, including five across a bogey-free back nine, highlighted by a 45-foot putt on No. 14. He would go on to birdie his final two holes to claim sole possession of the lead at 5-under 211.

“I had it going at the beginning,” recounted the 16-year-old. “I was 2-under through four and then I had a couple of slip-ups on six and eight. I made a really good par putt on hole nine that got me going. I just had it going on the back nine. I was putting really well.”

The University of Arkansas commit garnered a strong following throughout the day that was more than eager to lend their support to a hometown boy.

“My grandpa used to be a member here [at Clovelly]. I used to come here every summer and play a couple of rounds. So playing in this and knowing that my whole family is going to be out here watching is really special to me.”

“When I found out the tournament was going to be in St. John’s, I really wanted to play in it very badly,” Critch added. “Just to be in the hunt to win is really cool and if I can win, that’d be great. I bet my family would be really proud of me.”

Heading into the final round, Critch stressed the need for focus and self-confidence.

“I just have to take it one shot at a time and not get too carried away if I’m ahead by a lot or behind by a lot. You can make a lot of birdies, so you’ve just got to stay patient. I just have to know that I can make a lot of birdies like I did today.”

Trailing Critch in both the Junior and Juvenile divisions is Duncan, B.C., native Callum Davison. The 2016 CN Future Links Quebec champion carded a 72 with a trio of birdies on the day to sit two strokes off the lead. 18-hole leader Sam Meek of Peterborough, Ont., and 36-hole leader Brendan MacDougall from Calgary hold shares of third at 2-under. Fellow Calgarian Max Murchison is two shots back of Davison in the 16-and-under Juvenile division.

Alberta claimed the inter-provincial team title which was played concurrently over the championship’s first two rounds. The trio of Calgary’s Brendan MacDougall, Chandler McDowell of Springbrook and Matt Bean from Canmore finished 2-under 286 for a nine-stroke victory.

In addition to the title of Canadian Junior Boys champion, the winner will receive an exemption into the 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship to be co-hosted by The Royal Ottawa Golf Club and Eagle Creek Golf Club from August 8 to 11.

The third day of competition will begin with groups teeing off Nos. 1 and 10 at 7:30 a.m. NST. Additional information from the tournament can be found here.