Kicking-off the season today thirty of Alberta’s junior boys and girls are competing in Victoria B.C. for the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship, from May 11-13.

The junior girls representing Alberta this weekend include Annabelle Ackroyd, Tillie Claggett, and Victoria Tse. The junior boys squad consists of Connor Ackroyd, Marko Banic, Jordan Bean, Cian Besler-Chalcroft, Matthew Betker, Chase Broderson, Ethan Choi, Ethan de Graaf, Connor Dunlop, Benjamin Farrington, Carter Graf, Mason Harder, Rory Huycke, Kai Iguchi, Naoki Iwasaki, Nicholas Mah, Callum McKay, Bradley McKeating, Brady McKinlay, Max Murchison, Jace Ouellette, Brodie Shields-Tyler, Thomas Sluka, Reid Svendsen, Elias Theodossopoulos, Hunter Thomson, Ben Wong.

The 54-hole stroke play tournament begins at Bear Mountain Golf Resort with practice rounds for the competitors on May 10. The tournament action began at 7 AM (MT) on May 11.

“The guys only played a few holes yesterday during the practice round as it rained hard for a few hours. We ended up over at another course later in the evening hitting balls and practicing short game” said Randy Robb, high performance coach, who is travelling with the team.

“Seven of the junior boys tee off between 7:50 and 9:30 this morning and the conditions look perfect out here,” said Robb. “There are some interesting groups such as Carter (Graf) and Ben (Farrington) are paired together for the first two days and Ethan (Choi) is with a top Team Canada development player. We also have a couple girls to watch as Annabelle (Ackroyd) and Tillie (Claggett)will tee it up later this morning.”

Taking the field this weekend 88 junior golfers in the junior boy’s division will be competing. The top six will earn exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 30- August 2 at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club in Medicine Hat, Alta.

Within the junior girl’s division, 32 golfers play this weekend with the top six earning an exemption into the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on July 31-Aug. 3 at Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen, B.C.

The event features a total of 120 U19 competitors with a total of thirty Albertans on the roster. The championship will conclude on Sunday, May 13 with weather reports calling for a warm sunny weekend. Access to the entire schedule and leaderboard is available here.

Susan White, the Tournament Director and Senior Manager of Field Operations for B.C Golf says “the Future Links, driven by Acura Championships, are fantastic opportunities for Canadian junior golfers to demonstrate their skills. We look forward to seeing this substantial field of juniors challenge the Valley Course.”

There are five additional Future Links, driven by Acura Championships will span the country this summer.

• May 25-27 – Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario – Otterville, Ont. – Otter Creek Golf Club.
• June 1-3 – Future Links, driven by Acura Western – High River, Alta. – Highwood Golf & Country Club.
• June 8-10 – Future Links, driven by Acura Québec – Lachute, Que. – Club de golf Lachute.
• June 15-17 – Future Links, driven by Acura Prairie – Portage la Prairie, Man. – Portage Golf Club.
• July 17-19 – Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic – Port Blandford, Nfld. – Clare Golf & Country Club.

ABOUT THE COURSE
Bear Mountain’s Valley Course opened in 2009 and was designed by Nicklaus Design Group Inc.

The signature features of the course are elevated tee-boxes, large undulating greens and striking views of Vancouver Island.

Junior Boys: 6,691 yards, Par 71
Junior Girls: 5,985 yards, Par 72