By Dunc Mills:

Some tournaments just have a certain “feel” to them.  Whether it’s great weather, or an outstanding golf course, or a large field with a numerous good players, great prizes, or a delicious and nutritious post-round banquet, any or all of the above can contribute to elevating a tournament from the mundane to the superb.  But when you combine all of these factors wrapped up in one afternoon, you have Junior Golf Nirvana at the Canmore Golf and Curling Club’s Junior Open.

Canmore is always slotted in late July on the Tour schedule, and serves as the unofficial halfway point of the season.  I mean, what’s NOT to like?  The afternoon sun bouncing off of the Three Sisters Mountains, sensational Rocky Mountain scenery and wildlife at every turn, and 93 juniors from across Alberta and into BC more than ready to test their games over the pristine fairways and greens of the Canmore layout.

We had a dozen junior girls in the field today, split between some U15 girls eager to gain experience, combined with some tournament tough U19 veterans.  The morning line betting favorite had to be Brynne Davies of Earl Grey GCC in Calgary, coming off her 2nd-place finish two weeks ago at the Alberta Golf U19 Championships.  Davies didn’t disappoint, as her 1-over par 73 was good for an 8-shot margin of victory over runner-up and clubmate Jordan Harvey.  Sela Ogada of Sirocco topped the U15 girls with an 83, good for third place overall.

Brynne Davies

Solomon Tong and Sela Ogada

Some terrific scores were turned in by the junior boys today as well, led by 1-handicapper Mateo Kern of Canyon Meadows GCC, who fired a 1-under par 70 (male par is 71, female par is 72) to edge the host club’s Tristan Dotchin by two blows. Solomon Tong, 12, of Heritage Pointe, also smoothed it around in 72 strokes today, albeit from the shorter red tee markers, but a remarkable performance nonetheless by this youngster as he captured the boys U13 flight.  Charles Greaves of Banff Springs GC took first place in the boys  U17 division with a 75 and finished 4th overall.

Charles Greaves

Tristan Dotchin

The older boys in the U19 flight struggled a bit today as top scores in the flight were turned in by Theo Resch of the host club and Country Hills’ Aidan Fong with matching 79s.  Resch took home 1st-place money after a comparison of scorecards.

Theo Resch

The busiest week of the 2022 McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour continues Tuesday morning in Crossfield at Collicutt Siding GC and then again on Wednesday in Olds.  The week concludes in the Edmonton area for the 36-hole Goose Hummock Jr Open Thursday and Friday.