The 15th edition of the Junior Skills Challenge National Event wrapped up today in Mississauga after 30 of the top Canadian junior golfers showcased their skills in one of Golf Canada’s signature junior events. The event took place at Credit Valley Golf & Country Club which also played host to the World Junior Girls Golf Championship from September 30 – October 5.
The National Event culminates a year-long program consisting of 92 qualifying events across Canada and 1,600 participants who competed at the local level.
In partnership with Cobra-Puma Golf and the PGA of Canada, participants went head-to-head in a three-part (putting, chipping, and driving) competition:
Driving: each competitor received three drives with points awarded for distance and aim of the drive.
Chipping: each competitor received three shots for chipping with points awarded on distance of the chip from the target.
Putting: each competitor received one putt from each distance of 5, 10, and 20 feet with points awarded for holing the putt and proximity to the hole.
The winners for each division of the Junior Skills Challenge National Event received a brand-new putter courtesy of Cobra-Puma Golf.
Below are the winners in each of the age groups:
Girls 7 to 9:
Four participants competed including Myra Raycroft, Sierra Storey, Brooke Sundquist, and Annabel Zhao.
Zhao of Richmond, B.C. captured the title with a final score of 195 (45 points from driving, 80 points from chipping, 70 points from putting), with the top chipping score across all Girls divisions.
Boys 7 to 9:
Three participants competed including Albert Cui, Gianni D’Ambrosio, and Owen Durkin.
In his second time qualifying for the National Event, Gianni D’Ambrosio was able to capture the title, with a final score of 170 (60 points from driving, 40 points from chipping, and 70 points from putting).
Girls 10 to 11:
Four participants competed including Keira Chin, Emily Joy, Soleil Lindholm, and Angela Qi.
It was a close competition, but Lindholm of Toronto, Ont. pulled away with a final score of 180 (75 points from driving, 35 points from chipping, and 70 points from putting).
Boys 10 to 11:
Competing in the division included Nicholas Gallo, Lennon Goyette, Noah Olver, and Benjamin Vandolder.
Goyette of Bathurst, N.B. was a stand-out competitor with an impressive final score of 270 (80 points from driving, 80 points from chipping, and 110 points from putting), and tied Kaitlyn Joy (Girls 12 to 13) with the top putting score of the day across all age divisions.
Girls 12 to 13:
Four participants competed in the division including Kaitlyn Joy, Riviera Lindholm, Kate Yang, and Shannon Zhang.
Joy of Calgary, Alta. led the division with a notable final score of 255 (90 points from driving, 55 points from chipping, and 110 points from putting), and tied Goyette (Boys 10 to 11) for the top putting score of the day across all age divisions.
Boys 12 to 13:
Competing in the division included Hunter Burke, Spencer Forsyth, William Henry, and Jagger Shi.
Burke of Charlottetown, P.E.I. dominated in his division, earning first place with a final score of 245 (75 points from driving, 80 points from chipping, and 90 points from putting).
Girls 14 to 15:
Tristyn Anderson, Aliyah Hull, Ceilidh Spare, and Addyson Tatlonghari participated in the division.
Hull of Chestermere, Alta. captured the title for the second year in a row, with a score of 200 (30 points from driving, 70 points from chipping, and 100 points from putting).
Boys 14 to 15:
Three participants competed in the division including Luke Deplaedt, Kai Kriekle, and Tommy Xu.
Kriekle of Regina, Sask. took home the title with a score of 215 (75 points from driving, 50 points from chipping, and 90 points from putting).
On Sunday, October 6, Junior Skills Challenge National Event participants will also play Lionhead Golf Club in Brampton, Ont. in an exciting match play format, outfitted by program sponsor COBRA PUMA Golf.
For more information on the Junior Skills Challenge National Event, click here.
