This season’s field of local junior golfers looks to be very competitive with some really exciting changes.
For the first time ever, two Zone One junior events will get world ranking points on Junior Golf Scoreboard. This is a ranking mechanism that rates every junior golfer in the world and is looked at by most college coaches.
The Junior Qualifier and the season ending Tour Championship will both get ranking points. Also, the Johnny Bucyk championship in Creston will be separate from the Junior Circuit but will run the same weekend as the Creston junior circuit event.
The Johnny Bucyk will be a joint Canadian Junior Golf Association event and will be ranked on Junior Golf Scoreboard and by Golfweek, in addition, the winner will get an exemption into the CJGA Tour Championship.
Local area juniors should dominate the West Kootenay circuit this year. Not since Darren Zanussi, Steve Richardson, and Gary Janni dominated the local junior ranks has there been this much depth of local talent.
Returning players Tyler McKay and Brenan Moroney, both from the Rossland-Trail Country Club (RTCC) finished third and fourth overall last year and Garret Underwood and Alex Rugg from Champion Lake finished sixth and eighth respectively.
Braden McKay (RTCC), James Booth (Champion Lake), Ryan Page (RTCC) and Ryan Fullerton (RTCC) all finished inside the Top Twenty last year with 10th, 11th, 13th and 19th place finishes. Jackson Konkin from RTCC was one of the top 9-hole players last year and he is now moving into the 18-hole division.
This season, all these young golfers look to have strong performances in not only the local junior events, but provincial and high school competitions as well.
Rossland Secondary and J. L. Crowe teams, comprised mostly of junior circuit players, are gearing up for a competitive year as well. Last year J. L. Crowe represented the Kootenays in the Provincial AA championships and Rossland in the A championship. Both schools should have very strong teams with many of the top players in each school returning.
The Junior Golf circuit welcomes players of all ability levels and we encourage and support kids to participate. The great thing about Junior Golf is there is a place for everyone to play and get involved regardless of their skill level. If you would like information, registration material or the schedule please email zone1juniorgolf@yahoo.ca.
