PONOKA, Alta. – The 2019 Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship is set to begin Thursday at Wolf Creek Golf Resort.
With support from Alberta Golf, the Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship is the third of eight junior championships presented by Golf Canada in partnership with Acura. The 54-hole stroke play tournament will begin with a practice round on May 30, before the tournament gets underway with round one on May 31.
Wolf Creek Golf Resort is the largest golf facility in Central and Northern Alberta. Designed by Rod Whitman, Wolf Creek boasts 36 holes and offers more selection than any course in the province.
“Golf Canada and Alberta Golf are excited to present the 2019 Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship,” said Akash Patel, the Tournament Director and Rules and Competitions Coordinator with Golf Canada. “We are confident that the Links Course here at Wolf Creek Golf Resort will challenge Canada’s premier junior golfers and allow them the opportunity to showcase their skills.”
The field will consist of 81 golfers in the Junior Boys Division with the top five earning exemptions into the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on Aug. 11-15 at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club in Hartland, N.B. Should there be a tie for the fifth position, a playoff will be conducted following the conclusion of play.
The Junior Girls Division will consist of 26 golfers, with the top five (including ties) earning an exemption into the 2019 Canadian Junior Girls on July 29 – Aug. 2 at Lethbridge Country Club in Lethbridge, Alta.
Five additional Future Links, driven by Acura Championship will span the country this year;
- June 7-9 – Future Links, driven by Acura Quebec – Joly, Que. – Club de golf Les Boisés de Joly
- June 14-16 – Future Links, driven by Acura Prairie – Yorkton, Sask. – Deer Park Golf Course
- July 16-18 – Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic – Fredericton, N.B. – Mactaquac Golf Course
- 20-22 – Future Links, driven by Acura Fall Series – Lachute, Que. – Club de golf Lachute
- 27-29 – Future Links, driven by Acura Fall Series – Crown Isle Golf Resort – Courtenay, B.C.
There have already been two Future Links, driven by Acura Championships so far in 2019.
The Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship took place May 10-12, where Michael Crisologo and Lauren Kim won their respective divisions. Additional information regarding the 2019 Future links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship, including full scoring can be found here.
At the Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship, Tristan Renaud won the boys’ division and Angela Arora won the girls’ division. More information regarding the 2019 Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship can be found here.
Prior to the championship on Thursday, May 30, Golf Canada and Special Olympics Canada will hold a regional competition in support of Special Olympics golf. This is the third such competition this year, as Special Olympics golf events were also held at the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship and the Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship. A field of 14 local athletes will compete over nine holes. Following the event, PGA of Canada professionals will conduct a clinic for Special Olympics coaches and athletes, focusing on improving skills and leadership within the sport.
NOTABLES
Ethan Choi, Pincher Creek, Alta.
Choi has already earned an exemption into the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship by finishing in the top five at the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship.
Annabelle Ackroyd, Calgary
Ackroyd led heading into the final round at last year’s Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship.
Sarah Gallagher, Burlington, Ont.
This is Gallagher’s second Future Links Championship in as many weeks. She finished third at the Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship.
FAST FACTS
In 2019, Golf Canada is conducting its six regional Future Links, driven by Acura Championships in conjunction with the Provincial Associations, in addition to the two Fall Series events.
The top five finishers in the Boys’ Division earn exemptions into the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship.
The top five finishers (including ties) in the Girls’ Division earn exemptions into the 2019 Canadian Junior Girls Championship.
Team Canada National Junior Squad member Kai Iguchi went wire-to-wire to win the junior boys division last year.
Taylor Stone won the junior girls division by coming from behind on the final day.
More information about the tournament can be found here.