Junior golfer Lynden Jeffrey of 100 Mile House got a feel for heavy competition, playing in the Aberdeen Glen Men’s Open in Prince George, July 26-28.
At just 16 years of age, Jeffrey was the youngest in a field of 93 who competed in the annual golf tournament at the Aberdeen Glen Golf Course.
Jeffrey missed seeing the final results but says he definitely placed somewhere in the top 10.
“I didn’t play the best rounds I ever have, but I feel pretty good,” he says, noting he appreciated being able to compete with the men on a level playing field. He says it’s not possible everywhere.
“They like to promote junior golf in Prince George, so they allowed me to compete in the tournament. All the men respected me. I’ve proven myself as a winner at tournaments and proven I’m skilled enough not to hold the men back.”
Just as important as a good score, was the encouragement he got from various golf pros at the event.
“I was told I have lots of potential and one said he hopes to hear about me on TV later on,” he says, noting it does a lot for his confidence feeling the support of such high level golfers.
Jeffrey says he’s now at the point where he has to step it up and take his golf to another level if he hopes to fulfill plans of a golf scholarship and career.
He plans to compete through the winter on the Lower Mainland, taking in as many tournaments as he can. He’s also got a standing invitation to stay at the Arizona home of one of his earliest mentors and get in some winter-time practice. While an extended season in the south will mean a balancing act with his Grade 11 studies, he’s willing to make the sacrifice he says, adding, “I’ve got to take that next step.”
The next major tournament for Jeffrey is the 2013 BC Juvenile Boys’ Championship at Crown Isle Resort in Courtney, Aug. 20-21.
