By Dunc Mills:

About five years ago, Innisfail’s longtime Head Professional Jim Boomer convinced us to switch the format of their annual Junior Open to include a Parent / Child aspect to the event.  We had 45 juniors on hand this afternoon covering the province from Ft. McMurray to Lethbridge, paired with a dad, or a mom, or a grandparent, or even a sibling in a net better-ball scoring format. The juniors also  competed among themselves for the Junior Open championship. I’m not sure if the kids or their parents were more nervous as they teed off, but from the smiles on the faces of the 90 competitors, I think it’s safe to say that the new format continues to be a big success.

What a great event the entire team at Innisfail put on under the direction of current Head Professional Matt MacDonald. The course was in sensational condition, with the slick, sloping Innisfail greens always ready to test any player’s nerves.  Executive Chef Michael Devine and his staff put together the Meal of the Year so far on Tour, with no disrespect to any of our other host sites.  The players were treated to slow roasted roast beef that melted  in your mouth, complete with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and two salads as well as dessert.

Oh yes, they played golf as well.

Gavin and Blair Wrathall of Lakeside GC in Chestermere posted a sparking Gross score of 4-under par 68 in the parent/ child format, edging Dane Schmidt and Justin Schedlosky of Innisfail Golf Club, who finished two shots back with a 70.

Gavin and Blair Wrathall

When handicaps were factored in, the best Net Score today in the parent / child division was a sensational 16-under par 56 turned in by Corbin and Mark Howdle of Fort McMurray Golf Club, seven shots clear of runners-up Ryder and Lyle Smith of Vulcan GC.

The Junior Boys championship was decided in a thrilling sudden-victory playoff between the aforementioned Gavin Wrathall and Jadan Patel of Woodside GC in Airdrie.  Both players finished the regulation 18 holes with fine scores of 3-over par 75, making it necessary to return to the 9th hole of the Spruce Nine layout that finishes right in front of Innisfail’s spectacular clubhouse.  Many of the juniors and their parents poured out of the club’s Event Centre to watch as Patel bagged his 2nd Tour win in a week, coming on the heels of his first Tour win last Monday at Calgary’s McKenzie Meadows. Patel’s 2-footer for birdie on the par-5 first playoff hole took home the title. Patel also enjoyed a solid finish at the provincial U19 championship last week, finishing T31.

Cooper Joy, Jadan Patel and Brady Bruns

Brady Bruns of Lacombe Golf and Country Club was solo third overall on 78.

Low Gross winners in the Boys Flights were:

U13 – Bennett Love  of Red Deer GCC and his good pal Chase Strang of Woodside with matching 79s.

Bennett Love and Christian Leung

U15 – Colby Adams of Bearspaw GCC and Mike Bosanko of Redwood Meadows GCC, with scores of 90.

U17 – Gavin Wrathall with his 75 cashed top money in this flight.

U17 Net Champion Sean Kelly & U17 Gross Champion Gavin Wrathall

U19 – Jadan Patel took the Overall Boys Championship in the playoff, with Brady Weiss of Stony Plain and the host club’s Sean Kelly T2 with 79s.

We had six junior girls in the field today, some playing with their fathers, and some with their mom or a grandma.  Aliyah Hull of Willow Park figured to be the morning line favorite coming on the heels of her T17 finish at last week’s Alberta Golf U19 provincial championship, and form held today, with Hull’s 83 taking the overall junior girls title.

Aliyah Hull

Tanika Samuels of Red Deer Golf and Country Club was a long slapshot behind Hull,  9 shots back with a 92.

Junior Girls Low Net Champion Hannah Smith

The Tour picks up again on Wednesday at Montgomery Glen GC in Wetaskiwin, with the Jordan Brand Memorial Junior Open on tap on Thursday in Lacombe.  Both events feature 9 a.m. shotgun starts.