Three local juniors chosen for provincial golf program
Three local golfers have been selected for the Golf Association of Ontario’s Next Wave Junior Development 2024 Program.
Among the 15 athletes chosen from across the province were: Sierra Kowalyshyn from Sawmill Golf Course; Cole Thompson from Lookout Point Country Club; and, Ben Julie from Sawmill Golf Course.
Kowalyshyn, a Grade 9 student at Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School in Hamilton, was the overall points champion on the Niagara District Junior Golf Tour. The Stoney Creek resident also won the junior girls division at the 74th Walt McCollum Niagara District Champions of Champions. She was the 18th-ranked under-15 golfer in Ontario in 2023.
Thompson, a Grade 10 student at Blessed Trinity, won a silver medal at the Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Associations golf championship, placed first in the junior boys division at the 73rd Annual Walt McCollum Niagara District Champions of Champions golf tournament and was the under-19 overall points champion on the Niagara District Junior Golf Tour. The Beamsville resident also finished as runner up in the platinum bracket at the International Junior Masters Tournament at the East Aurora Country Club. He was the 20th-ranked under-19 golfer in Ontario in 2023.
Julie, a Grade 9 student at E.L. Crossley, won the overall points title in the under-15 division on the Niagara District Junior Golf Tour. The Fenwick resident recorded his first-ever Maple Leaf Junior Tour event win in 2023 and tied for 12th at the Ontario bantam championship. He was the 23rd-ranked under-15 golfer in Ontario in 2023.
“We’re so proud and excited to introduce the Next Wave Junior Development Program and all the 15 young athletes who will be part of the program in 2024,” said, Ryan Finn, Golf Ontario’s chief sport officer. “We truly believe this program aligns with everything we’re already doing with the Junior Golf Pathway, but also adds another layer of development that is directly aimed at junior golf athletes who are looking to advance in their competitive journey.”
Selection is based on the golfers’ competitive results and their rankings in the under-13, under-15 and under-17 divisions of the Junior Golf Pathway in 2023.
The program consists of specialized training with ongoing support and is centred around the mental, physical, technical and tactical aspects of golf. It provides early access to specialized team training.
Next Wave athletes will receive coaching support from Team Ontario head coach, Reggie Millage; sessions with Team Ontario Mental Performance Coach, Dr. Charles Fitzsimmons; strength and conditioning coaching by Dr. Nick Martichenko; Next Wave athlete clothing from adidas Golf Canada; access to the TaylorMade Performance Lab; and, being able to sign up for exclusive Team Ontario programs such as training days, a March Break training camp and the Spring Training Camp.
