Future Links Crowns Six Junior Skills Challenge National Event Winners
Gregoire Vincent and Taylor Cormier receive exemptions into local Future Links regional championship in 2019
OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the six champions of Saturday’s Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge National Event at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.
The National Event, running for the 10th consecutive year, crowned female and male champions from three age groups (9-11, 12-14 and 15-18). Among the 24 participants from across the country, the following six individuals emerged as champions:
- Andre Zhu, (King City, Ont., King Valley Golf Club | Boys 9-11) - Lindsay McGrath (Milton, Ont, Glencairn Golf Club | Girls 9-11) - Matis Lessard (Québec, Que., Académie de Golf Fred Colgan | Boys 12-15) - Alissa Xu (King City, Ont., Kings Riding Golf Club | Girls 12-15) - Gregoire Vincent (Québec, Que., Académie de golf Fred Colgan | Boys 15-18) - Taylor Cormier (Corner Brook, N.L., Blomidon Golf and Country Club | Girls 15-18)
The winners of each age group received a champion’s package from Titleist Footjoy. In addition, Gregoire Vincent and Taylor Cormier – winners of the 15-18 age groups – have earned exemptions into their local 2019 Future Links, driven by Acura Championship.
In Saturday’s National Event, juniors competed in a four-part skills challenge which tested putting, chipping, driving and iron play.
Saturday's participants had the highest scores on the National Leaderboard after participating in a Skills Challenge qualifying event at their local club. Throughout the year, over 180 clubs hosted a Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge with over 3000 junior golfers participating.
“This was our strongest year yet for the Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge,” said Adam Hunter, Manager of Junior Programs at Golf Canada. “We are extremely happy with another excellent National Event and want to thank our sponsors Acura Canada, Cobra Golf and Golf Town for their support.”
On Friday, the National Event participants received an apparel prize pack from Cobra Golf handed out in the Glen Abbey locker room and they will play the back nine of Glen Abbey on Sunday in the Golf Canada Junior Open.
Following that, participants will be provided weekly grounds passes and have an opportunity to be involved in Monday’s Golf Canada Foundation Pro-Am and secure a spot in Wednesday’s Walk with a Pro event.
For more information on the Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills National Event click here.
NOTE TO MEDIA: Click here to download photos of the Future Links, driven by Acura National Event (credit: Justin Naro/ Golf Canada)
FUTURE LINKS, driven by Acura Future Links, driven by Acura is Canada’s national junior golf program conducted by Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada and Canada’s provincial golf associations. Proudly supported by Acura, Puma, The R&A, NGCOA Canada, ClubLink and Sport Canada, the program is designed to forge a link between Canada’s youth and golf to ensure the future of the game in Canada. The program features three core areas of focus—in-school programming, facility programming and community outreach—including elements such as Golf in Schools, Learn to Play, Girl’s Club, Mobile Clinics, Junior Skills Competition and Community Golf Coach, along with six regional Future Links Junior Championships. Since the inception of the program in 1996, more than 1.4 million young Canadians have taken part in Future Links. For more information, visit golfcanada.ca/futurelinks.
ABOUT THE PGA OF CANADA—THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE GAME OF GOLF: Established in 1911, the PGA of Canada is the second oldest and third largest professional golf association in the world. The PGA of Canada is a non-profit Association comprised of 3,700 golf professionals across the country. The Association’s mandate is to develop, promote and support our Members as experts in the game and business of golf and, in so doing, serve both its Members’ needs and those of the golfing public through the Association’s varied programs and events. The Association consists of the National Office located in Acton, Ont., and nine Zone Offices across the country. www.pgaofcanada.com GOLF CANADA Golf Canada is the National Sports Federation and governing body for golf in Canada representing 319,000 golfers and 1,400 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s mission is to grow participation, excellence and passion in the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. By investing in the growth of the sport and introducing more participants of all ages to the game, our goal is to be relevant to and respected by all Canadian golf enthusiasts from coast to coast. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.
