Belleville, Ont., – NextGen Team Canada member Nobelle Park of Oakville, Ont. secured a come-from-behind victory while Eric Zhao of North York, Ont. went on to win by four strokes on Saturday to each claim the NextGen Ontario Championship at Black Bear Ridge Golf & Resort in Belleville, Ont.  

Playing 54 holes at even par helped keep Park in contention throughout, and leading up to Saturday’s final round. Starting the day in a tie for second and just a stroke behind solo leader Maggie Zhang of Richmond, B.C., the ten-time winner in 2024 birdied the seventh to stay within striking distance and match Zhang’s steady start to her round.  

Struggling to find the elusive birdie to bring her on level ground with Zhang atop the leaderboards, Park’s scoring pursuit took a major blow after her approach shot went long of the tenth green and forced her to come away with a double bogey on the par-four.  

“Making the double was really sad because I flew the green, it wasn’t a good play,” commented Park on her lone blunder of the afternoon. “I was only three strokes back, it’s not like I was a ton back and we still had a whole bunch of holes still to play, so I knew I could make a comeback somehow,” she added.  

Fortunately for Park, she wasn’t the only one to card a costly six on her back nine, with Zhang walking off the 14th hole with a double bogey of her own but still leading by one. Her advantage continued to dwindle over the final four holes, however, heightening in the closing stages of her round after bogeying the 15th and 17th to tumble out of the lead and trail Park by a stroke.  

With the tournament lead narrowly in her favour, Park avoided another mistake after her setback at the tenth, stringing together five consecutive pars and collecting just her second birdie of the round on the final hole to secure a two-stroke win over Zhang and claim the NextGen Ontario title. She had finished in a tie for third a year ago.  

“[The win] helps build my confidence, especially early in the season,” said Park. “I know I can win and score well, so going forward I’ll use this as momentum into another good season.” 

In the Junior Boys division, Zhao, who carded consecutive rounds of 70 to position himself in a tie for first place on Saturday, rapidly reeled in on the tournament’s top spot with birdies at the first and third to get to six-under par.  

Aided by a slew of his competitors falling out of contention for the title, Zhao was able to put his hot start into gear and add back-to-back birdies at holes seven and eight to raise his early lead to four strokes.  

His dominance on the front nine over the final 36 holes played a vital role in securing him victory on Saturday. He played the tamer portion of the property at a combined eight-under-par to lap the rest of the field and seize control of the tournament.  

“A lot of easy holes in the front, especially seven, I knew I had good opportunities to birdie those holes, so I just stayed patient and let my game take advantage of those shots,” said Zhao. 

The day’s hottest hitter put the finishing touches on a round of 67 with birdies on the 10th – playing as the hardest hole on the property – and 18th to kickstart the procession on his maiden win in the NextGen Championship series.  

“It gives me a lot of confidence,” said Zhao following his round. “I haven’t won in a while, so it feels really great just getting back and knowing that I’m able to compete with the rest of the players.” 

NextGen Ontario Championship – Advancing to 2025 Canadian Junior Boys Championship 

*Top 8 qualify  

NextGen Ontario Championship – Advancing to 2025 Canadian Junior Girls Championship 

*Top 8 plus ties qualify 

The 2025 NextGen Championship season resumes on Friday, May 30 for the playing of the NextGen Western Championship at Trestle Creek Golf Resort in Entwistle, Alta. The 54-hole event will run until Sunday, June 1 where a winner will be crowned and exemptions for respective national championships will be awarded.  

For the final leaderboards from the NextGen Ontario Championship, please click here.   

About the NextGen Championships   
The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2024 national championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.   

156 of Canada’s top junior golfers to compete over 54 holes in Belleville with exemptions into the Canadian Junior Boys and Girls Championships up for grabs 

The road to the 2025 national junior championships continues with the NextGen Ontario Championship set to kick off on Thursday, May 8 at Black Bear Ridge Golf & Resort in Belleville, Ont.  

156 players – 111 boys and 45 girls – will make up the starting field and have the option of participating in a practice round ahead of the tournament on Wednesday, May 7. The 54-hole stroke play event will get started on Thursday and run until Saturday, May 10 – where the field will be reduced to approximately 70 players. The top eight players in the Junior Boys division will earn exemptions into the 2025 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, taking place August 12-15, at Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club in Bathurst, N.B. The top eight players (including ties) in the Junior Girls division will earn exemptions into the 2025 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO, August 13-16, at Sainte-Marie Club de golf in Sainte-Marie, Que. If a tie for eighth place in the Junior Boys division occurs, appropriate players will enter a playoff to determine the tournament’s final exemption.  

Jager Pain of Woodbridge, Ont. carded rounds of 67 and 70 through his final 36 holes to clinch last season’s NextGen Ontario Championship at Firerock Golf Club in Komoka, Ont., and will begin his title defence on Thursday as the lone NextGen Team Canada member in the Junior Boys division. Bode Stephen of Kingston, Ont., who took home the NextGen Atlantic Championship last summer in a playoff will also compete in the Junior Boys division. 

Team Canada NextGen member Nobelle Park of Oakville, Ont. highlights the field from the Junior Girls division competing in Belleville. Park enjoyed a successful 2024 campaign, with 10 wins that included the top spot of the podium at the Canadian U15 National Championship last August at the Elmira Golf Club in Elmira, Ont. 

Opening its doors in 2005, Black Bear Ridge Golf Course has hosted professional championships on the PGA Tour Canada and several provincial amateur events including the 101st playing of Golf Ontario’s Men’s Amateur Championship in 2023. Originally envisioned to be the home for his family hunting lodge, builder and designer Brian Magee was encouraged to transform the land’s rolling acreage into a golf hotbed by 18-time major champion and family friend, Jack Nicklaus.  

“Black Bear Ridge Golf & Resort is honoured to host the NextGen Ontario Championship as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting junior golf and nurturing the next generation of Canadian talent,” said Cale Flair, Vice President of Black Bear Golf & Resort. “We’re proud to welcome these elite young players to experience everything that makes Black Bear Ridge special—from our championship-calibre layout to the warm, inclusive atmosphere our guests, members, and team help create.” 

Featuring a 628-yard par-5 and a terrain exceeding 5,100 yards in length, Black Bear Ridge demands length from players while rewarding the longest and most patient hitters able to navigate the neighboring bunkers and hazards on selective greens. Combining sport with outdoor recreation and luxury living options, the course provides an exceptional test of golf while serving to restore and inspire its guests on and off the tee box.  

“Our beautiful parkland layout with a tighter tree-lined front nine and more open back nine, with ample elevation changes and challenging water features, demands thoughtful strategy and discipline. Players will need to bring precision off the tee, a sharp short game, and steady composure across all three days to find success here. We’ve seen how Black Bear Ridge shapes strong, competitive golfers—and we’re excited to see who rises to the occasion this week,” added Flair.  

To follow the live leaderboard of the NextGen Ontario Championship, click here  

About the NextGen Championships  

The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2025 national junior championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.  

Abbotsford B.C. – Yanling (Elaine) Liu of Vancouver, B.C. put the finishing touches on her wire-to-wire victory on Sunday while Maxim McKenzie of Chilliwack, B.C. secured a come-from-behind win to each take the 2025 NextGen Pacific Championship at Ledgeview Golf Club in Abbotsford, B.C.  

Buoyed by a three-under 33 during Friday’s opening nine, Liu didn’t take her foot off the gas over the weekend, firing rounds of 68-69-70 to finish seven strokes better than her closest chaser, Amy Seung Heung Lee of Surrey, B.C.  

“I try my best to just stay in my own bubble and not think about it… I’m really proud of myself for trying to stay in my own bubble and not let other distractions get to me,” said Liu following her final round.  

Liu kept her composure on Sunday to claim an exemption into the 2025 Canadian Junior Girls Championship set to take place Aug 16-18 at Club de golf Sainte-Marie in Sainte-Marie, Que.  

After posting birdie at the difficult par-3 second, Liu flipped her name into red figures, before dropping back to even-par on her round with bogey at the fifth. The blemish went on to be just one of two mistakes Liu made in her final round on Sunday, playing the next 12 holes at one-under par despite finishing with bogey on 18.  

Liu used the word “meaningful” to describe what Sunday’s victory meant to her. Committed to taking her talents to the university level in a year’s time, Liu has eyes on grabbing more victories as a junior golfer in the near future.  

“Playing events like Golf Canada really affect me,” said Liu. “Ledgeview is a wonderful golf course and when I look back [on today] I won’t have any regrets.”  

The margin of victory was much slimmer in the Junior Boys division however, with McKenzie battling Manpreet Lalh of Nanaimo, B.C. for the title in the final pairing. The two British Columbians took turns with the lead despite Lalh sitting in a tie for first place alongside Team Canada NextGen member Austin Krahn of Christina Lake, B.C. when the day began.  

Starting his final round at even-par and two strokes behind the co-leaders, McKenzie vaulted all the way up the leaderboard with three birdies in his first five holes to lead Lahl by two strokes after the latter stalled out with an early bogey on the fifth hole.  

Meanwhile, Krahn, who also teed off in the final group, was unable to build around the 66 he carded in the second round, following a pair of bogeys on the front nine. The opening allowed Lalh to make a move on the back nine, grabbing a birdie at the 11th to move into solo first before being derailed by bogeys at holes 12 and 14.  

McKenzie definitively capitalized on his playing partners’ miscues with a timely birdie at the par-4 13th to regain his two-stroke lead. The back nine separated McKenzie from his chasers on Sunday to secure his first win in the NextGen Championship series, playing six of the nine hardest holes on the property at one-under par and taking advantage of the tournament’s most scorable conditions.  

“It means a lot to me,” commented McKenzie on his win Sunday at his home course. “All the hard work I put is paying off so just keep doing what I’m doing. Coming from behind is obviously great,” he added.  

The win is a long time coming for McKenzie at his home NextGen Championship after finishing back-to-back years in the top ten of the leaderboards including a T3 finish in 2024 at Summerland Golf & Country Club in Summerland, B.C. His final round four-under 66 is his best performance at the tournament and grants him automatic exemption into the 2025 Canadian Junior Boys Championship set to take place Aug 11-15 at Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club in Bathurst, N.B.  

“I knew I was close,” said McKenzie. “Actually, getting it done last year, coming in third, getting the win this week is pretty big in the right direction.”  

NextGen Pacific Championship – Advancing to 2025 Canadian Junior Boys Championship 

*Top 8 qualify 

NextGen Pacific Championship – Advancing to 2025 Canadian Junior Girls Championship 

*Top 8 plus ties qualify 

The circuit continues next week at Black Bear Ridge Golf & Resort in Belleville, Ont. for the playing of the NextGen Ontario Championship. Practice rounds will get underway on Wednesday, May 7, followed by 54-holes of golf set to kick off on Thursday May 8 and wrap up on Saturday, May 10.  

For the final leaderboards from the NextGen Pacific Championship, please click here.  

About the NextGen Championships  
The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2024 national championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.  

2025 NextGen Championship season kicks off at Ledgeview Golf Club

156 of Canada’s top junior golfers to compete over 54 holes in Abbottsford with exemptions into the Canadian Junior Boys and Girls Championships on the line

Golf Canada’s 2025 championship season kicks off on Friday, May 2, at Ledgeview Golf Club in Abbotsford, B.C. with the NextGen Pacific Championship.

The 54-hole stroke play competition gets underway with a practice round on Thursday, May 1, and championship rounds beginning on Friday, May 2. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the top 50 Junior Boys and top 20 Junior Girls, including ties, for the final round which wraps up on Sunday, May 4.

The starting field will feature 156 male and female competitors – 114 Junior Boys and 42 Junior Girls – vying for a spot into their respective Canadian Junior Championship later this summer. Among those competing in Abbotsford include, Team Canada NextGen members, Austin Krahn of Christina Lake, B.C. and Charlie Gillespie of Calgary, Alta. Last season, Gillespie won the 2024 NextGen Western Championship and finished as runner-up at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

The top eight players in the Junior Boys division will earn exemptions into the 2025 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, August 12-15, at Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club in Bathurst, N.B. The top eight players (including ties) in the Junior Girls division will earn exemptions into the 2025 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO, August 13-16, at Sainte-Marie Club de golf in Sainte-Marie, Que.

The Ledgeview Golf Club was established in 1962 and operates as a not-for-profit society. Leasing the land and buildings from the City of Abbotsford, Ledgeview serves both members and guests. The undulating fairways, small and tricky greens, and narrow holes provide an enjoyable experience but also a good test of golf. With a unique and proud history of producing some of Canadas top golfing talents in Ray Stewart, James Lepp, Adam Hadwin, and 2023 RBC Canadian Open champion Nick Taylor. Ledgeview continues to be an industry leader in junior golf development and growth. Service, Stewardship, Attention to detail, and Member Experience continue to be the pillars of Ledgeview.

“Ledgeview is proud to be hosting the NextGen Pacific Championship as we continue to support junior golf at all levels and showcase to competitors what makes Ledgeview unique and proud to be ‘Where Legends are Born’. Hosting some of the top junior golfers is exciting for all involved, staff, management, and members as we are proud of what we have to offer,” said Brad Clapp, General Manager, Ledgeview Golf Club. “Players should not underestimate Ledgeview at all when seeing the 6,200 total yardage. Precision tee shots, extremely strong short game, and patience will be needed for all three days in order to be successful. It is what helped develop players such as Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor and it is what will be needed by the eventual winners come Sunday.

To follow the live leaderboard of the NextGen Pacific Championship, click here

About the NextGen Championships

The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2025 national junior championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.

Championship schedule to include 12 National Amateur Championships presented by BDO, six NextGen Championships, the World Junior Girls Golf Championship and two Canadian Collegiate Invitationals in addition to Canada’s National Open Championships –
the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open

Golf Canada will also conduct qualifiers for several USGA Championships including Local and Final Qualifying for the U.S. Open as well as the U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Men’s and Women’s Amateurs and U.S. Junior Girls and Boys Championships

February 6, 2025 – Golf Canada is pleased to announce its full 2025 championship schedule, which includes amateur and professional competitions in addition to various qualifiers hosted at golf facilities across Canada.

The 2025 schedule is headlined by Golf Canada’s two National Open Championships — the RBC Canadian Open, taking place at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont. June 4-8 and the CPKC Women’s Open, being held at the historic
Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont., August 20-24.

Golf Canada’s 2025 competition calendar also includes 12 National Amateur Championships presented by BDO, six NextGen Championships, two Canadian Collegiate Invitationals and the World Junior Girls Golf Championship.

As the National Sport Federation and governing body of golf in Canada, Golf Canada conducts the country’s premier amateur and professional golf championships to support the development of the nation’s top talent through world-class competition.

“We are pleased to announce the full championship schedule for 2025 and look forward to hosting the top amateur athletes from across the country and around the world competing for our prestigious national championships,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Golf Canada Director, Amateur Championships and Rules. “On behalf of Golf Canada, I would like to thank our corporate partners, our host clubs across the country, our tournament staff and volunteers coast-to-coast who are essential in making these tournaments possible.”

The Canadian Junior Financial Assistance Program supported by Gary Cowan Heritage Fund and the Canadian Senior Golf Association will once again be available for juniors competing in the NextGen Championships and all National Junior Championships (Juniors and U15) who meet eligibility requirements. More details on the program for the 2025 season will be released later this month.

Golf Canada will also conduct several professional and amateur championship qualifiers including five regional qualifiers into the RBC Canadian Open as well as final qualifiers for both the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open.

Other notable qualifiers conducted for USGA Championships on the 2025 schedule include a U.S. Open Local and Final Qualifier, a U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier in addition to qualifiers for the U.S. Junior Amateur and Girls’ Junior Championships, U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, and a local qualifier for the U.S. Men’s Amateur Final qualifier.

Golf Canada’s championship season kicks off May 1-4 with the NextGen Pacific Championship at Ledgeview Golf Club in Abbotsford, B.C., the home course of 2023 RBC Canadian Open champion, Nick Taylor. The season concludes with the inaugural playing of the women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Beacon Hall Golf Club in Aurora, Ont., September 22-23.

To view Golf Canada’s 2025 Championship Schedule, including all host venues, registration requirements and volunteer opportunities visit, golfcanada.ca/competitions-calendar/.

2025 Amateur Championship Season at a Glance:

The second annual BDO National Golf League Finals will be held at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. on May 31 ahead of tournament week of the RBC Canadian Open. Fifty-two teams will compete in a four-ball net stableford format to crown the BDO National Golf League champions.

The Canadian University/College Championship, presented by BDO, will be held June 2-6 at Rivershore Golf Links in Kamloops, B.C. The championship includes both a team and individual component featuring Canada’s top university and college talent. The winning men’s and women’s team will qualify for their respective 2025 Canadian Collegiate Invitationals.

The 111th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, takes place July 21-25 at Riverside Country Club in Rothesay, N.B. The champion will earn an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open, the 2025 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship and the 2026 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

The 120th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, will be contested July 28-31 in Gatineau, Que. at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club and the Rivermead Golf Club. The champion will receive an exemption into the 2026 RBC Canadian Open, as well as an invitation to the 2025 U.S. Men’s Amateur Championship. The winner will also receive an exemption into final qualifying for the 2026 U.S. Open and into the 2026 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

The Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO, will be played at The Dunes at Kamloops in Kamloops, B.C., August 4-7. The national championship for players with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments, will be contested over 54-holes. Natasha Stasiuk of Oakville, Ont. is the four-time defending champion on the women’s side, while Chris Willis of Aurora, Ont. has won the men’s title the past two years.

The Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, will be held August 5-8 at Club de golf Lachute in Lachute, Que. The field is open to female amateurs aged 25-and-over. The winner will receive exemptions into the 2025 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, 2026 Canadian Women’s Amateur and the 2026 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championships.

The Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, will be contested August 11-15 at Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club in Bathurst, N.B. The champion will receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and 2026 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

The Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO, will run August 12-16 at Club de golf Sainte-Marie in Sainte-Marie, Que. The winner will earn an exemption into the 2026 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, the 2026 U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship and the 2026 Canadian Junior Girls Championship (if eligible).

The Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, will be held August 18-22 at Seymour Golf & Country Club in North Vancouver, B.C. The field is open to male amateurs aged 25-and-over. The winner will receive exemptions into the 2025 U.S. Men’s Mid-Amateur, 2026 Canadian Men’s Amateur and the 2026 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championships.

The Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, will take place August 25-28 at Nanaimo Golf Club in Nanaimo, B.C. The winner will receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur Championship as well as the 2026 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur, 2026 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and the 2026 U.S. Women’s Senior Open. 

The second playing of the Canadian U15 Championship will be contested August 26-29 at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C. The boys and girls’ individual champions will earn exemptions into their respective 2026 Canadian Junior Championship, presented by BDO and an invitation into the 2025 NextGen Selection Camp.

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, will be played at KenWo Golf Club in New Minas, N.S., September 8-12. The winner will earn exemptions into the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, the 2026 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, 2026 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship and the 2026 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship.

The men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational will return to Öviinbyrd Golf Club in MacTier, Ont. from September 13-16. The tournament will be once again co-hosted by Kent State University and Penn State University. The intercollegiate tournament will feature eleven NCAA Division I teams along with the winners from the 2025 Canadian University/College Championship. The individual champion will receive an exemption into the 2026 RBC Canadian Open and the top five will earn exemptions into the 2026 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. The boys NextGen Selection Camp will run concurrently with the invitational.

The tenth playing of the World Junior Girls Golf Championship will take place at St. Catharines Golf & Country Club in St. Catharines, Ont., from September 15-20. Teams compete as three-member squads while also competing for an individual title. The Republic of Korea are the defending champions after beating Team Canada 1 through a tiebreaker. World no. 10 on WAGR, Soomin Oh, from the Republic of Korea won individual honours and will compete at the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open at Mississaugua Golf & Country Club this August. The 2025 individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open.

The 2025 Amateur Championship season concludes with the inaugural playing of the women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational, being held at Beacon Hall Golf Club in Aurora, Ont., September 21-23. The tournament will be co-hosted by Kent State University and the University of Michigan. The intercollegiate tournament will feature 11 NCAA Division I teams along with the team champions from the 2025 Canadian University/College Championship. The individual winner will earn an exemption into the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open and the top five will earn exemptions into the 2026 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. The girls NextGen Selection Camp will run concurrently with the Invitational.

2025 NextGen Championships

The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2025 national junior championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.

The 2025 NextGen Championship host clubs include: Ledgeview Golf Club (Abbotsford, B.C.), Black Bear Ridge (Belleville, Ont.), Trestle Creek Golf Resort (Entwistle, Alta.), The Legends Golf Club (Warman, Sask.), Rideau View Golf Club (Manotick, Ont.) and Oakfield Golf & Country Club (Enfield, N.S.).

2025 Registration Information

Registration for Golf Canada’s 2025 competitions will open on the following dates:

• NextGen Championships: Wednesday, February 19 at 12:00pm EST
• RBC Canadian Open Qualifying: Wednesday, February 26 at 12:00pm EST
• National Amateur Championships: Wednesday, March 5 at 12:00pm EST

Holyrood, Nfld. – Hannah Thomas and Bode Stephen won their respective divisions to claim the NextGen Atlantic Championship, on Thursday at the Wilds Resort in Holyrood, Nfld.  

Trailing by four shots entering the final round, Thomas from Calgary, Alta., produced a remarkable comeback, finishing with a final round 75 to finish atop of the leaderboard to secure the NextGen Atlantic Championship.  

“First off, I think just being able to hit the greens. If I didn’t do that today or any other day than it would have been very difficult. My long irons and drives were good because I kept hitting the ball on the fairway and then also being able to putt well really helped my game,” said Thomas.  

After opening the tournament with an 11-over 83, Thomas maintained her lead carding a 3-over, 75 on Thursday and finished the tournament at 25-over to secure her win by two shots over Ava Gilbart of Toronto, Ont. and Adrianna Salalila of Peterborough, Ont. 

“The beginning wasn’t my best, but I think today I really pushed through, and I was more concentrated than ever. It did take to the last hole, but I am really fortunate and very grateful that I used my focus skills to really push through to get this win,” stated Thomas. 

In the Junior Boys Division, Stephen of Kingston Ont., secured his victory on the first hole of a playoff, tapping in for birdie to edge out Brett Shaw of Stratford, P.E.I.  

Stephen was co-leader following Tuesday’s round and shot a 1-under 71 on Wednesday to take a four-shot lead into the final round. Shaw worked his way into the playoff by firing a 2-under 70 on Thursday, while Stephen recorded at 76 following a double bogey on 18.  

“ It feels really good to get the win. I had a lead coming into today and I am just happy to come and pull it off in the end,” said Stephen. 

Stephen added “I had actually struggled on eighteen all week, that’s the hole I had to go back and play a playoff hole on, and Brett also played really well today. All I was trying to do was focus on one shot at a time and play my game and I ended up hitting four good shots to make a birdie to tap in to make the playoff.” 

In the Junior Girls division, the top six players earned exemptions into the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, July 22-25, at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver, B.C.  

NextGen Atlantic Championship – Advancing to Canadian Junior Girls Championship   

In the Junior Boys division, the top six players earn exemptions into the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys championship, August 13-16, at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta.   

NextGen Atlantic Championship – Advancing to Canadian Junior Boys Championship  

The 54-hole stroke play competition marked the last tournament in the NextGen Championship series and featured a starting field of 62 male and female competitors. There was a total of 47 Junior Boys and 15 Junior girls competing. 

About the NextGen Championships 

The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May-July, six championships will take place across Canada where the regions best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2024 national championships. NextGen championships provide junior golfers an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf. 

Holyrood, Nfld. – The 2024 NextGen Championship season reaches its final stop at The Wilds Resort in Holyrood, Nfld. with the NextGen Atlantic Championship, July 15-18. 

The 54-hole stroke play competition gets underway with a practice round on Monday, July 15, and championship rounds begin on Tuesday, July 16. With a field of fewer than 80 players, the Junior Boys and Junior Girls divisions will play on without a cut line after 36 holes. All competitors will have a chance to make their mark on the championship, with the entire field advancing to the final day of play, which concludes on Thursday, July 18. 

The starting field will feature 62 male and female competitors – 47 Junior Boys and 15 Junior Girls – vying for exemptions into their respective Canadian Junior Championships later this summer.  

The top six players in the Junior Boys division will earn exemption into the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, August 13-16, at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta. The top six players (including ties) in the Junior Girls division will earn exemptions into the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO, July 22-25, at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver. 

The Wilds Resort opened in 1998 and is designed by Robert Heaslip. The Wilds Resort features serene creeks, captivating sky views and an environmentally friendly connection with nature. This golf course’s hilly terrain and rolling fairways will challenge NextGen competitors to think critically, demanding a high level of accuracy and testing variety of shot selection.   

“As one of the premier resorts in Newfoundland and Labrador, it is an honour to host the NextGen Atlantic Championship here at The Wilds Resort. We believe competition brings out the best in individuals and provides an opportunity for growth and self-improvement,” states Kelly Finlay, General Manager at The Wilds Resort. “We take pride in supporting and helping to facilitate Golf Canada’s goal of encouraging our youth in being the best they can be and to have fun while doing it. We look forward to welcoming our athletes and their families to The Wilds Resort. We are excited to showcase our beautiful resort and province.” 

To follow the live leaderboard of the NextGen Atlantic Championship, click here. 

About the NextGen Championships 

The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemption into their respective 2024 national championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf. 

Joly, Que. – Justine Emond and Henry Dao have won the NextGen Quebec Championship at Club de golf Les Boisés de Joly in Joly, Que. 

The 54-hole stroke play competition marked the fifth tournament in the NextGen championship series and featured a starting field of 153 players (125 junior boys, 28 junior girls). After 36 holes, the field was reduced to the low 57 Junior Boys and 13 Junior Girls, including ties. 

In the Junior Girls Division, Justine Emond of St-Jerome, Que. fired a 3-over 74 on Friday to wrap up the tournament at 2-over to claim the championship. 

“It means a lot because it’s the last NextGen Tournament I will be able to play since its my last junior year and being able to qualify for the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship is an amazing feeling,” said Emond. 

Yeeun (Jenny) Kwon of Vancouver B.C who finished as runner up at 6-over par with Avery Nordman of Ottawa, Ont. finishing in third at 7-over. 

In the Junior Boys division, Henry Dao of Laprairie Que. ended the tournament on a high-note, with a 5-under 66 on Friday to secure the championship and finish five shots clear of Antoine Jasmin of Blainville Que. who closed the tournament at 1-under. With consistent play to begin the week, Dao grabbed the co-lead in the second round and held on, finishing 6-under par for the tournament with rounds of 70-71-66. 

“I really love this tournament because it brings out all the best junior golfers in Quebec. The reason why I won is my putting was on fire all week. I was making a lot of birdies and that’s why I carded the score I did,” said Dao. 

Rounding out the podium were Zach Bourgeois of Ste-Agathe-des-Monts Que. and Milan Abrieu of Bromont Que. who finished tied third at 1-over. 

The top eight players, including ties in the Junior Girls division have earned exemptions into the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, July 21-25, at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver, B.C.  

NextGen Quebec Championship – Advancing to Canadian Junior Girls Championship   

In the Junior Boys division, the top eight players earn exemptions into the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys championship, August 12-16, at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta.   

NextGen Quebec Championship – Advancing to Canadian Junior Boys Championship  

  About the NextGen Championships  

The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May-July, six championships will take place across Canada where the regions best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2024 national championships. NextGen championships provide junior golfers an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.  

Joly, Que. – A field of 156 of Canada’s top junior golfers will compete over 54 holes at an immaculate and strategic layout at Club de golf Les Boisés de Joly in Joly, Que. with exemptions into the Canadian Junior Boys and Girls Championships on the line in the NextGen Quebec Championship, July 2-5. 

The 54-hole stroke play competition gets underway with a practice round on Tuesday, July 2 with championship rounds beginning on Wednesday, July 3. After 36 holes, the field will be reduced to the low 57 Junior Boys and 13 Junior Girls, including ties, for the final round which wraps up on Friday, July 5.  

The starting field will feature 127 Junior Boys and 29 Junior Girls – vying for spots into their respective Canadian Junior Championship later this summer. 

The top eight players in the Junior Boys division will earn exemptions into the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, August 13-16, at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta. The top eight players (including ties) in the Junior Girls division will earn exemptions into the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, July 22-25, at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver, B.C. 

Established as a beautiful 18-hole public course in the greater Quebec City area, the Club de golf Les Boisés de Joly was built in 2011. With a length of 6,662 yards, the course will deliver a test for NextGen competitors, while presenting views of towering trees, sparkling lakes and rolling hills. With its demanding layout and impeccable conditioning, golfers will encounter strategically placed bunkers, and tricky water features, all set against a stunning backdrop of woodlands and wildlife.   

“The NextGen tournament represents for us the pride of welcoming the young talents of tomorrow and promoting junior golf in the Quebec City area. We have the ideal facilities and golf course to host this type of event. We will do our best to ensure that all participants have a great experience,” said Director and Professional teacher of Club de golf Les Boisés de Joly, Martin Trudel. 

To follow the live leaderboard of the NextGen Quebec Championship, click here. 

About the NextGen Championships 

The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2024 national championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf. 

Thunder Bay, Ont. – Jeri Lafleche of Winnipeg, Man. claimed the lead on Friday and kept the same momentum throughout the whole tournament, while Ryan Mosher of Saskatoon, Sask. came out on top to win the 2024 NextGen Prairie Championship at Whitewater Golf Club in Thunder Bay, Ont.  

Overcast conditions rolled in for Sunday’s final round. Lafleche outlasted the field with rounds of 75-73-76, finishing at 8-over par and five shots clear of runner up Olivia Johnson of Calgary, Alta. Lafleche carded five bogeys on Sunday but was able to record 3 pars in a row on 16-18 to get the win. Lafleche was in the lead heading into the final round, and now has earned direct exemption into the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship. 

 “Winning this tournament means a lot, it’s a great start to the season and then travelling all this way, it’s nice to come home with the win,” said Lafleche. 

Sunday’s win is Lafleche’s first of the season. Lafleche said it was tough to keep her focus while playing in cold and windy conditions. 

“It was pretty tough on the front nine, I’m not going to lie with the wind being even colder and then sometimes you’re in the open and sometimes you’re in the cold, it’s not a constant temperature, but ended up working through it,” said Lafleche. 

In the Junior Boys Division, Mosher finished the tournament on a high note, with a 2-over 74 on Sunday. Mosher finished three shots clear of Josiah Tong of Heritage Pointe, Alta. to claim his spot into the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship. Mosher grabbed the lead in the first round with a 2-under 70 and finished with two solid rounds of 74-74 to claim the championship.  

 “It felt great. I had a couple hiccups with the driver but other than that my game was just on point. My putting was spectacular so I couldn’t have asked for a better three days of putting, irons were good and was able to aim at the pins which helped a lot,” said Mosher. 

Tong finished 5-over par to finish in second and secured his spot also in the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship.  

The top six players in the Junior Girls division have earned exemptions into the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, July 22-25 at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver B.C. 

NextGen Prairie Championship – Advancing to Canadian Junior Girls Championship 

In the Junior Boys division, the top six players earn exemption into the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys championship, August 13-16, at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta.  

NextGen Prairie Championship – Advancing to Canadian Junior Boys Championship 

About the NextGen Championships 

The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2024 national championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.