Canadian Representatives Record Strong Results at the Junior World Golf Championships

By Carolyn Arbuckle
carolyn.arbuckle@cjga.com

The Junior World Golf Championships is a truly unique event with a total field size exceeding 1000 golfers ages 6 to 17 from an impressive number of countries and states. Since it was founded in 1968, junior golfers have represented over 73 countries at the annual competition. The inaugural tournament hosted 475 entrants from 20 states and six countries. In 2003, Junior World hosted 1040 participants from 43 states and 45 countries.

The Junior World founders had an incredible vision of developing a golf tournament that, through the years, has remained one of the most prestigious international events in the world. The goal of the event is to bring young golfers from all parts of the world together in hopes of achieving a greater understanding among people of differing cultures and values through the great game of golf.

This year the Junior World Golf Championship was held in San Diego, California at various locations from July 16th to 20th, 2007. The CJGA sent a team of 44 junior golfers ages 6 to 17 to represent Canada at the prestigious event. The CJGA would like to congratulate all of the juniors who represented Canada at the Junior Worlds, and to the 22 Canadian juniors who made it all the way to the final round of competition.

The Boys 15-17 Division competed at Torrey Pines South, a par 72, 7161 yard course that sits atop cliffs above the Pacific Ocean and is an annual stop on the pGA Tour’s schedule.  This didn’t seem to faze 17 year-old Mathieu Rivard of Granby, Que., who played exceptionally well in finishing in 6th spot. Rivard carded rounds of 74-73-72-72 for a four-day total of 291 (+3). Another impressive performance came from North Vancouver resident Eugene Wong who tied for 12th with rounds of 74-70-77-75 for a total of 296 (8).

Also tied for 12th in the Boys 15-17 Division was 16 year-old Riley Wheeldon of Courtenay, B.C., who posted rounds of 74-71-78-73 for a total of 296 (+8). This is especially a great performance considering Wheeldon was very sick heading into the tournament. “I could still hit the ball fairly well,” says Wheeldon. “But I just could not find my touch with my putter.” Wheeldon still managed to keep his rounds low by minimizing his mistakes and using his distance to his advantage. “The course was very long and I was able to attack the more tucked pins because I was using a shorter club into the green.”

After three successful rounds, Wheeldon headed into the fourth and final round with a positive attitude. “I felt I could only go up on the leaderboard and went out there attacking, going for every pin,” he admits. “It wasn’t easy because on the last two days the pins were incredibly difficult.” Although Wheeldon never did find his putting stroke, he is still happy with the reuslt. “Finishing 12th felt good considering I really didn’t have my A game over the four days.”

The Girls 15-17 Division also competed at Torrey Pines, but on the par 74, 6161 yard North Course. Two Langley, B.C residents placed in the Top 10 in the division, including Sue Kim, 16, who had the best Canadian finish at the event. “My plan was to finish better than last year's finish, which I accomplished. Out on the course I just had to be calm and ready for anything.”

Kim posted outstanding rounds of 72-74-73-73 for a four-day total of 292 (-4), to tie for 4th. “It could've been lower with seven birdies in the second round, but I had a couple of bad holes which evened everything out.” Consistent play in all aspects of her game allowed Kim to keep all four rounds low. “I feel pretty good with the result, but I hope to play and finish better next year. I learned a lot from the other players, and learning something somewhere is always a great thing.”

Jessica Wallace, 16, also from Langley, B.C., tied for 8th with rounds of 77-71-74-76 for a total 298 (+2). Tied for 13th place in the Girls 15-17 Division was 16 year-old Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont. Her rounds of 75-77-74-75 gave her a four-day total of 301 (+5). After just having won the CN Prairie Future Links, Kirby had a lot of momentum and confidence entering the Junior Worlds. “My game plan was just to hit as many greens as possible,” says Kirby. “In the third round I hit the ball closer to the hole on my approach shots to have shorter birdie putts.”

Another secret to her success was her ability to adapt to the weather. “There were a lot of tough pin placements this week, but I figured out the wind early and was able to hit them.” She is very proud of her finish in the competition, saying, “I am pleased I finished in the Top 15. There is always room for improvement, but I was happy to represent the CJGA at this event as well as I did.”

The Boys 11-12 Division competed at the par 72, 5931 yard Lake San Marcos Country Club and Resort. This picturesque course nestled in the coastal foot-hills provided a great test of skill for the juniors, where British Columbia natives Kevin Lee and Kevin Kwon landed themselves both in the top 20.

12 year-old Kevin Lee of Surrey carded rounds of 72-76-74 for a total 222 (+6), good enough for 15th place. “My driver was working well for me, always setting me up for an easy second shot,” says Lee.  “It was the first time I’d ever been to the United States, so it was hard for me to adapt to the hot weather.” Lee had a great time with his new friends from other countries. He is also happy with his 15th place finish, but is always looking to improve. “I saw lots of good golfers in the older divisions, so I’m going to work really hard for next year!”

Another top-ten finish came courtesy of 10 year-old Curtis Chan of Richmond, B.C., who played on the Welk Resort San Diego Fountains Executive Course. Chan was able to master the par 62, 3567 yard course, posting rounds of 65-61-64. His three-day total of 190 (+4) earned him 10th place in the Boys 9-10 Division.

Once again, the CJGA would like to congratulate all the Canadian juniors who competed at the Junior World Golf Championships this year. We wish you luck in the remainder of the golfing season, and with all of your future golfing endeavours.  Canada is proving to be a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.