The first event of Golf Canada’s competitive season concluded in the same way it unfolded – with a pair of Team Canada Development Squad members atop the leaderboards as Trevor Ranton and Grace St-Germain claimed victory at the 2015 CN Future Links Pacific Championship.
No one could dethrone Trevor Ranton’s reign over the Junior Boys division. After opening with a course record of 7-under 65 and following with a second round of 3-under, the Waterloo, Ont., native carded a final round of 2-under 70 to complete the wire-to-wire win. When asked about his play over the past three days, Ranton credited his quick start as a key to his success.
“I was pretty happy with (my performance). Right from the start, I was playing well. I started the tournament off with two straight birdies, so I felt comfortable on the course. I was hitting a lot of good shots and making a lot of putts.”
The first year Development Squad member will now set his sights upon the CN Future Links Ontario title – a competition in which he finished T2 in 2014.
“If I can keep my putter hot like this week, I’m sure I’ll have a good chance again.”
Rossland native Braden McKay had an up and down weekend finishing in 58th spot after firing rounds of 82, 74, and 84 to finish at 24-over par. Nelson’s Carson Arcuri tied for 56th at 23-over, and Hanno Southam 65th at 34-over par.
Henry Lee of Coquitlam, B.C., finished runner up with a round of 3-under. Tony Gil – a member of the national team Development Squad – opened the back nine with four straight birdies to claim third place.
Grace St-Germain birdied the second playoff hole to win the Junior Girls title in exciting fashion. The extra session was only necessary after fellow Development Squad member Michelle Kim notched a pair of birdies in her final three holes to move to 2-over par and force the playoff.
The Pacific edition of the CN Future Links Championships was the first of six junior-aged tournaments presented by Golf Canada in partnership with CN. Trail’s Birchbank Golf Course hosted the CN Future Links Western championship last July won by Vancouver’s Trevor Yu, while Rossland’s Tyler McKay placed fourth.