2024

Republic of Korea edge Canada by tie breaker to win the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship

Republic of Korea - 2024 Champions
Republic of Korea - 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship winners Photo: Christian Bender/Golf Canada

Soomin Oh shoots four consecutive rounds in the 60’s to win individual competition and an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open

Mississauga, Ont. – The Republic of Korea have won the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship for the third time in tournament history, beating Team Canada 1 on a tiebreaker at the Credit Valley Golf & Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. on Saturday.

The Republic of Korea (Korea) entered the day two shots back of Team Canada and at one point trailed the defending champions by six shots during the final round. Coming down the stretch Canada had a one-shot lead with three to play. As the final group teed off on no.18 Canada and Korea were tied at 19-under.

Aphrodite Deng of Calgary, Alta. hit her second shot just behind the pin leaving a lengthy look at birdie while Soomin Oh from Korea hit her second shot closer than Deng but still faced a difficult putt. Both players went on to record pars keeping the score tied at 19-under. As per tournament tie breaking rules, the decider is the third non-counting score on the day. Sumin Hong’s score of 74 just beat Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont. by two.

“I am very very proud of my girls. We had a tough day yesterday and today, but I told them to hang tight and with four holes left I said we start right now, and they did, and they made it, and I am very proud of them,” said Korea Coach Naon Min.

This marked the second consecutive year that Korea and Canada battled right to the very end, with Canada winning by one last year in Brampton, Ont.

“Two of my girls were here last year and last year was the opposite ending so they had that experience and that gave them a stronger mindset so that helped,” added Min.

Korea was led again by Oh, who shot a 3-under 69 on Saturday and Seojin Park who shot a 1-over 73. Canada’s scores on Saturday came from Deng and Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C. who both shot even par rounds of 72.

Oh said that the experience from last year helped their team this year and their mindset for the tournament.

“Our team are all friends, and we cheer for each other and that makes me more comfortable, and the result was good.”

The win gives Korea’s it’s third team title, which is the most in the nine-year history of the world championship.

Team Canada 1 Coach Jeff MacDonald was proud of how his team competed all week and when one play struggled, they bounced back the next day throughout the week.

“They were amazing all week, they played great today, they battled. Team Korea is a real strong team, and we knew that going in and our girls fought really hard and I’m just so happy for them and so proud for them, tough way to finish at the end but still a huge battle,” said MacDonald.

Team Canada 1 earned a podium finish for the second consecutive year and was a completely new team this year. MacDonald said it’s an exciting time in Canada with a lot of strong talent coming through the program.

“It just goes to show you the depth that we have within the program, two of these girls are 14 and one is 15 years old so I think we got a really bright future ahead. There are lots of girls on our NextGen program that are going to step up and do the same thing,” he said.

The United States shot a combined 2-under on Saturday to improve their total score to 9-under and took bronze medalist honours.

Team Canada 2 finished tied for 12th with Italy at 13-over. Team Canada 2 was represented by 14-year-old Nobelle Park of Oakville, Ont., 15-year-old Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. and 17-year-old Lindsay McGrath of Oakville, Ont.

The following are the final standings following the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship:

1Republic of Korea-19*
2Canada 1-19
3United States-9
T4France+2
T4Denmark+2
T6Hong Kong, China+3
T6Chinese Taipei+3
T8Mexico+5
T8Sweden+5
10Germany+9
11Czechia+11
T12Canada 2+13
T12Italy+13
14Belgium+15
15Colombia+16
16England+19
17Spain+20
18Switzerland+21
19Iceland+23
20Ireland+25
21Poland+32
22Finland+34
23Peru+49
24Morocco+66

*Team Champions by way of Tie-Break

Click here for the final team leaderboard following the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship.

Soomin Oh
Soomin Oh – 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship Individual Winner Photo: Christian Bender

In the individual competition, Soomin Oh took the lead on Thursday and didn’t look back finishing with four consecutive rounds in the 60’s (69-68-68-69-274) to finish the tournament at -14 under.

“I actually started the tournament bogey, bogey on my first two holes but I hung on tight, and I finished strong, so I am very happy,” said Oh through her coach.

Oh finished eight shots ahead of Aphrodite Deng to earn an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open at Mississaugua Golf & Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. August 19 – 24, 2025. It will be the second appearance on the LPGA Tour in her young career having played the 2023 BMW Ladies Championship which is co-sanctioned by the LPGA of Korea Tour and the LPGA Tour.

Coach Min was very proud of Oh’s performance throughout the week, “Beautiful play. This year she’s been playing good and ranks number one in Korea. The first time I saw her was a year ago, but she’s been growing up and I’m expecting more for her future now,” said Min.

When asked if Oh could become one of the next great Korean women’s golfers, she did not hesitate.

“Yes, I am 100 per cent sure,” she said.

Deng finished second at 6-under following rounds of 67-75-68-72-282. Arianna Lau of Hong Kong, China finished third at 4-under with rounds of 70-70-72-72-284.

Click here for the final individual leaderboard following the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship.

This year marked the largest field in tournament history, with a total of 72 athletes comprising 24 teams and representing 23 countries competing for the team and individual titles.

Several players who have competed in the World Junior Girls Golf Championship have gone on to great success on the LPGA Tour. Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 13-time LPGA Tour winner and Canada’s winningest professional golfer, finished fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural championship in 2014.

Other notable competitors who went on to become LPGA Tour winners include Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand who won back-to-back World Junior titles in 2018 and 2019 as well as Yuka Saso of the Philippines who won the 2016 World Junior title. 2023 CPKC Women’s Open winner, Megan Khang of the United States competed in the inaugural tournament in 2014. Other former World Junior competitors who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Hannah Green of Australia and Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Sweden. Hye-Jin Choi from the Republic of Korea won both the 2015 team and individual championship at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship and has earned several top five finishes on the LPGA Tour.

The 2025 World Junior Girls Golf Championship will be played at St. Catharines Golf and Country Club, in St. Catharines, Ont., September 15 – 20. The 2026 tournament will be held at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau, Que., September 28 – October 3, 2026.

2024

Team Canada grabs the lead heading into the final round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship

WJG Round 3

Soomin Oh maintains individual lead following a second consecutive
68 on Friday

Mississauga, Ont. – The defending champions have taken the lead after 54 holes, as Team Canada 1 has pulled ahead of the Republic of Korea at the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship at Credit Valley Golf & Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.

Moving day lived up to its name as Team Canada 1 started the day four shots behind the Republic of Korea (Korea), but now leads by two with 18 holes remaining. Canada shot a collective 11-under to move to 19-under overall, with Korea shooting 5-under today to now sit at 17-under.

Canada was led by Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont. who fired a 7-under 65 and Aphrodite Deng of Calgary, Alta. who shot a 4-under 68 to put Canada ahead by two.

Team Canada 1 Coach Jeff MacDonald complimented his team’s strong start and just how much all three players have played well together.

“This whole week has been such a team effort, Clairey was so good yesterday to get us in this position today, so it’s great, every day it’s been a different combination of players counting. In an event like this if you can just get all three players going then that’s huge and I know tomorrow I got three players ready to go and they’re going to play great,” said MacDonald.

Liu recorded three birdies and two eagles to sit at 7-under on the day through nine. She said that she was able to hit fairways and greens where she wanted to and made some putts. Liu’s first eagle came on the 6th hole.

“I hit the drive close to the water. I had a little bit shorter than 190 in and had a hybrid in my hand and it’s a club I’m more confident in, so I was able to take a whack at the ball and it ended up pretty ok,” Liu said with a laugh. Pretty ok indeed as she sank an eight-foot putt for eagle. On the ninth hole, Liu drained a 35-footer for her second eagle.

Liu complemented her teammates for their togetherness over the first three days.

“I think we’re doing really well. We’re all working really well together. For example, on the first day, I didn’t play well but my teammates did, and they had my back, yesterday Aphrodite didn’t but we had her back and today Clairey didn’t but we had her back, so I feel that we’re working really well as a team and helping each other,” said Liu.

MacDonald added, “We start at zero tomorrow the most important part of this event is the team event and even if you have a tough day, you regroup and rebound and contribute tomorrow and any one of them can do it so they’re feeding off each other, they’re supporting each other and that’s the beauty of the event really.”

Another team that charged up the leaderboard on Friday was the United States who shot a collective 10-under to sit at 7-under for the tournament and moved up into third. Scarlett Schremmer from Birmingham, Ala. shot a 6-under 66 and Nikki Oh of Torrance, Calif. added a 4-under 68 to help the Americans gain ground on moving day. Coach Chris Zambri was happy his team was able to grab birdies on some non-par 5’s on the front.

“It was also good that we got through the first three or four holes without any bogeys from them because those are also tough holes to start with, so it was a great start to the round. They both played well on the back, Nikki ran into some trouble on 16 and 17 but both birded 18 which was awesome, so it was a good day and nice to feel like we’re in the mix a little bit,” he said.

Mexico sits alone in fourth at even par with Hong Kong, China in fifth at 1-over.

Team Canada 2 is currently tied for 13th with Belgium at 8-over. Team Canada 2 is represented by 14-year-old Nobelle Park of Oakville, Ont. (1-over 73) and 15-year-old Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. (4-over 76) and 17-year-old Lindsay McGrath of Oakville, Ont. (6-over 78).

The following are the standings following the second round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship:

1Canada 1-19
2Republic of Korea-17
3United States-7
4MexicoE
5Hong Kong, China+1
T6France+3
T6Denmark+3
T6Chinese Taipei+3
T6Sweden+3
10Czechia+5
11Italy+6
12Germany+7
T13Canada 2+8
T13Belgium+8
T15Colombia+12
T15Switzerland+12
17Ireland+13
T18Spain+14
T18Iceland+14
20England+15
21Finland+22
22Poland+28
23Peru+38
24Morocco+49

Click here for the team leaderboard following the third round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship.

In the individual competition, Soomin Oh of Korea maintains her lead following a second consecutive round of 4-under 68 to move to 11-under for the tournament and holds a five-shot lead over Aphrodite Deng. Oh recorded four birdies in a bogey free round on Friday.

Five are tied for third with Alexis Lamadrid of Mexico, Arianna Lau of Hong Kong, China, Shauna Liu, Seojin Park of Korea and Scarlett Schremmer all at 4-under.

The individual champion will receive an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open being held at Mississaugua Golf & Country Club in Mississauga from August 19 – 24, 2025.

Players, coaches and staff wore black ribbons on Friday in honour of the President of the Italian Golf Federation, Franco Chimenti who passed away on Thursday at the age of 85. Chimenti led the Italian Golf Federation for 22 years.

Teams Canada 1, Korea and the United States will play together during the final round. For final round tee times and groupings, please click here.

Click here for the individual leaderboard following the third round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship.

2024

Republic of Korea leads Canada by four following second round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship

WJG R2

Soomin Oh takes individual lead by two after shooting 68 on Thursday

Mississauga, Ont. – The Republic of Korea maintains the team lead following two rounds at the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship at Credit Valley Golf & Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.

The Republic of Korea (Korea) were led by Soomin Oh who shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to move to 7-under following 36 holes and now leads the individual championship. Seojin Park shot a 2-under 70 to have her score count toward the team total. Park carded four birdies on her first nine, then ran into some trouble with four consecutive bogeys on her second nine before finishing with a birdie and an eagle on her last two holes. Teammate Sumin Hong shot a 1-over 73 on Thursday. The two lowest scores count towards the team’s combined score for the day. Korea combined to shoot 6-under to move to 12-under for the tournament and take a four-shot lead over Team Canada 1 heading into Friday’s third round.

“They played well but the only thing I didn’t like was in the middle of the round the wind picked up and they struggled but still they finished strong, and I tried to encourage them today,” said Korea Coach Naon Min. “Two more days, this is not the end. I will tell them to keep their focus individually and then the results will come.”

Defending champions, Team Canada 1 hold their place alone in second at 8-under. Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C. fired a 3-under 69 to help lead her team on Thursday. Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont. finished with an even par 72 to give Canada a 3-under combined round on the day. Teammate Aphrodite Deng of Calgary, Alta. shot a 3-over 75.

“They battled really hard, Clairey played really well, got off to a really good start and that was promising, the first six or seven holes there wasn’t much wind, so it was kind of gettable, but the Korean team was making a lot of birdies, so I knew we had to keep pace,” said Team Canada 1 Coach Jeff MacDonald.

MacDonald added that moving from the valley to head back up top meant the players faced a tough test with swirling winds on the top five holes, as Canada 1 began their round on the back nine.

“It’s a good start, we’re in a good position, Korea finished strong to get four ahead, but anything can happen, it can switch so quickly. I remember last year going back and forth so just reminding them of that and just keep battling the whole time,” said MacDonald.

Hong Kong, China has moved into third at 4-under, Sweden sits in fourth at 3-under with Mexico and Italy tied for fifth at even par.

Team Canada 2 is currently tied for 10th with Chinese Taipei and the United States at 3-over. Team Canada 2 was led by 14-year-old Nobelle Park of Oakville, Ont. on Thursday (1-under 71) 15-year-old Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. (2-over 74) and 17-year-old Lindsay McGrath of Oakville, Ont. (11-over 83).

The following are the standings following the second round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship:

1Republic of Korea-12
2Canada 1-8
3Hong Kong, China-4
4Sweden-3
T5MexicoE
T5ItalyE
7France+1
T8Belgium+2
T8Denmark+2
T10Canada 2+3
T10Chinese Taipei+3
T10United States+3
13Czechia+4
T14Germany+6
T14Iceland+6
16England+9
17Ireland+11
18Spain+12
T19Switzerland+13
T19Colombia+13
21Finland+18
22Poland+22
23Peru+31
24Morocco+34

Click here for the team leaderboard following the second round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship.

In the individual competition, Oh recorded two eagles and four birdies on her way to a 4-under 68 on Thursday. Oh is now at 7-under for the tournament and leads Ebba Lundqvist of Sweden by two. Lundqvist shot a 3-under 69 to move into second.

“Today I managed the par fives very well and hit tee shots very well and hit the greens with good positioning today,” said Oh through her coach.

Alexis Lamadrid of Mexico and Arianna Lau of Hong Kong, China are tied for third at 4-under. Clairey Lin and Seojin Park are tied for fifth at 3-under.

The individual champion will receive an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open being held at Mississaugua Golf & Country Club in Mississauga from August 19 – 24, 2025.

Click here for the individual leaderboard following the second round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship.

This year marks the largest field in tournament history, with a total of 72 athletes comprising 24 teams and representing 23 countries competing for the team and individual titles.

Several players who have competed in the World Junior Girls Golf Championship have gone on to great success on the LPGA Tour. Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 13-time LPGA Tour winner and Canada’s winningest professional golfer, finished fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural championship in 2014.

Other notable competitors who went on to become LPGA Tour winners include Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand who won back-to-back World Junior titles in 2018 and 2019 as well as Yuka Saso of the Philippines who won the 2016 World Junior title. 2023 CPKC Women’s Open winner, Megan Khang of the United States competed in the inaugural tournament in 2014. Other former World Junior competitors who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Hannah Green of Australia and Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Sweden. Hye-Jin Choi from the Republic of Korea won both the 2015 team and individual championship at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship and has earned several top five finishes on the LPGA Tour.

Teams Korea, Canada 1 and Hong Kong, China will play together during Friday’s third round. For round tee times and groupings, please click here.

2024

Republic of Korea leads Canada by one after opening round at the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship

WJG Round 1

Canadian Aphrodite Deng holds individual lead following a 5-under 67
on Wednesday

Mississauga, Ont. – The Republic of Korea sits atop the team leaderboard by one-shot over Team Canada 1 following the opening round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship at Credit Valley Golf & Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.

Sumin Hong and Soomin Oh both shot rounds of 3-under 69 to help lead the Republic of Korea (Korea) on Wednesday. Hong recorded four birdies before bogeying the 18th. Oh began her round with back-to-back bogeys but went on to record five birdies to help contribute to the team lead. Teammate Seojin Park shot a 1-under 71. The top two individual scores count towards the combined team score each day.

“They played well today but the start of the round wasn’t as good but they finished strong so that was a good part of today,” said Republic of Korea Coach Naon Min.

“I told them not to think about the team but just think about their individual play and it will finish well for everybody,” said Min following the first round.

Defending champions, Team Canada 1 are one shot back of Korea. Aphrodite Deng of Calgary, Alta. shot a 5-under 67 to help lead her team and the individual standings. Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C. shot an even par 72 and Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont. shot a 3-over 75 on Wednesday.

“They got off to a really good start today, we were cruising early which was nice to see, lots of putts going in and it was awesome because they were sticking to the game plan just hitting to the right spot,” said Team Canada 1 Coach Jeff MacDonald.

“It’s always nice in these events when all three players are playing well so it gives you more chances or opportunities and they did that today and it was fun to watch,” added MacDonald.

Belgium sits in third at 3-under with a trio of teams including Sweden, Colombia and Hong Kong, China tied for fourth at even par. Iceland and Italy are tied for seventh at 1-over with seven teams tied for ninth at 2-over, including Team Canada 2.

Team Canada 2 is comprised of 14-year-old Nobelle Park of Oakville, Ont. (Even par 72), 15-year-old Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. (2-over 74) and 17-year-old Lindsay McGrath of Oakville, Ont. (4-over 76).

The following are the opening round standings at the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship:

1Republic of Korea-6
2Canada 1-5
3Belgium-3
T4SwedenE
T4ColombiaE
T4Hong Kong, ChinaE
T7Iceland+1
T7Italy+1
T9Canada 2+2
T9Chinese Taipei+2
T9England+2
T9Denmark+2
T9Czechia+2
T9France+2
T9United States+2
16Mexico+3
T17Germany+5
T17Switzerland+5
T19Ireland+6
T19Spain+6
21Finland+7
22Poland+12
23Morocco+17
24Peru+19

Click here for the team leaderboard following the opening round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship.

In the individual competition, Deng of Team Canada 1 leads by one shot over Sixtine De Cordes of Belgium. Deng’s 5-under 67 on Wednesday was highlighted by seven birdies in her round, including five on the front nine.

“I was just trying to play it safe and miss in the right spots,” said Deng. “I was able to hit my shots really close and make the putts today.”

De Cordes is alone in second at 4-under with Oh and Hong of Korea tied for third at 3-under. Arianna Lau (Hong Kong, China), Paris Appendino (Italy), Ebba Lundqvist (Sweden), Lu Valero (Colombia) and Alexis Lamadrid (Mexico) all tied for fifth at 2-under.

The individual champion will receive an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open being held at Mississaugua Golf & Country Club in Mississauga from August 19 – 24, 2025.

Click here for the individual leaderboard following the opening round of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship.

This year marks the largest field in tournament history, with a total of 72 athletes comprising 24 teams and representing 23 countries competing for the team and individual titles.

Several players who have competed in the World Junior Girls Golf Championship have gone on to great success on the LPGA Tour. Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 13-time LPGA Tour winner and Canada’s winningest professional golfer, finished fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural championship in 2014.

Other notable competitors who went on to become LPGA Tour winners include Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand who won back-to-back World Junior titles in 2018 and 2019 as well as Yuka Saso of the Philippines who won the 2016 World Junior title. 2023 CPKC Women’s Open winner, Megan Khang of the United States competed in the inaugural tournament in 2014. Other former World Junior competitors who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Hannah Green of Australia and Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Sweden. Hye-Jin Choi from the Republic of Korea won both the 2015 team and individual championship at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship and has earned several top five finishes on the LPGA Tour.

For second round tee times, please click here.

2024

2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship set for Credit Valley Golf & Country Club

Team Canada

Team Canada 1 set to defend the title against the largest field in tournament history featuring 23 countries and 72 competitors

Mississauga, Ont. – Canada will once again play host to the world’s best junior golfers at the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship. The annual global showcase will be contested September 30 – October 5 at Credit Valley Golf & Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.

The ninth edition of the world championship will feature the largest field in tournament history, with 23 countries and 72 competitors in Mississauga. In total, 24 teams will compete for the championship while also competing for individual honours. The individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open being held at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont., August 18-24, 2025.

“We are very excited to get the ninth playing of this prestigious championship underway next week at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club as we welcome the world’s best junior golfers to Canada,” said Adam Cinel, Tournament Director, Golf Canada. “This championship has grown each year and has become a showcase event on our schedule, featuring talented young athletes competing for team and individual glory. We want to thank the staff and membership of Credit Valley Golf and Country Club and the City of Mississauga for being incredible partners and welcoming hosts.”

Team Canada 1 will be defending the championship after a thrilling final round in 2023 that saw them push ahead of the Republic of Korea to win the title for the first time in tournament history. Canada will be represented with two teams again this year.

Team Canada 1 is represented by 15-year-old Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont., 14-year-old Aphrodite Deng of Calgary, Alta. and 14-year-old Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C. Liu, a Team Canada NextGen member secured her spot on the team after winning the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship in July at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver, B.C. Liu also won the Team Canada NextGen Selection Camp tournament last month at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. to secure her place on the 2025 Team Canada NextGen squad. She added her third title of the year after winning the CDW Girls Junior All-Star Championship in Riverwoods, Ill. last month as part of the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). Lin earned her spot through the Team Canada NextGen Selection Camp qualifying tournament and has won twice on the AJGA, including The AJGA Panama Junior, presented by St. Georges Bank in March and The Spin Junior Championship in August. Lin was also runner-up at the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship. Deng qualified as the low eligible Canadian on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) as of August 7. Deng was ranked no. 175 and has since improved to no. 160 and is Canada’s lowest ranked player. She has won twice as part of the AJGA this season including The Nelly Invitational in Bradenton, Fla. in May and the New Jersey Junior Girls Championship in West Windsor Township, N.J. in June.

Team Canada 2 is represented by 15-year-old Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta., 17-year-old Lindsay McGrath and 14-year-old Nobelle Park, both of Oakville, Ont. The trio all earned their places through qualification at the Team Canada NextGen Selection Camp. McGrath finished second followed by Nobelle Park and Eileen Park. McGrath has been part of the Team Canada NextGen squad for two seasons and won the Visit Goldsboro NC Junior Championship in Goldsboro, N.C. in April as part of the AJGA. Nobelle Park won the inaugural Canadian U15 Championship last month at Elmira Golf Club in Elmira, Ont. along with three Ontario Provincial Championships this season. Eileen Park is the lone returning player for Canada this year’s tournament, having played for Team Canada 2 last year in Brampton, Ont. This season, she won the NextGen Pacific Championship at the Summerland Golf and Country Club in Summerland, B.C. in May and the AJGA Junior All-Star at College Station in College Station, Texas in March.

Jeff MacDonald returns as the coach of Team Canada 1. MacDonald of Chester, N.S. coached Team Canada 1 to the championship last season and is currently coaching the Team Canada NextGen program. MacDonald has over 20 years of coaching experience, is a three-time PGA of Atlantic Canada Coach of the Year recipient and a past provincial coach of the Nova Scotia Golf Association.

Jennifer Ha of Calgary, Alta. will be the coach of Team Canada 2. Ha returns after coaching Team Canada at the 2022 World Junior Girls Championship. She spent eight years as part of Golf Canada’s National Team Program as a player and earned five NCAA wins as a member of the Kent State Golden Flashes. Ha played four years professionally including one year on the LPGA Tour. She is currently the assistant coach of the Team Canada – NextGen girls’ program.  

Joining Canada are past champions, Italy (2018), Republic of Korea (2015, 2019), Spain (2017, 2022) and the United States (2014). In the eight-year history of the tournament, aside from the host nation, six other countries have participated in every tournament including: Denmark, England, Italy, Mexico, Spain and Sweden.

The Republic of Korea (Korea) are the most successful team in tournament history. In addition to two championships, the team has also finished in second on three occasions (2016, 2017, 2023).

Sweden have finished on the podium on four occasions including two runner-up finishes (2014, 2022) and two third place finishes (2015, 2017). The United States have also earned a second-place finish (2018) and third-place finish (2016) along with being the inaugural champions. In addition to tournament wins, Team Canada 1 and Italy have also earned a third-place finish in 2014 and 2019 respectively.

This year’s tournament will mark the debut of Hong Kong, China and Morocco who will both be competing for the first time. Last year’s tournament saw the first appearances from Iceland, Peru and Poland. All three countries are returning this year.

This year’s field for the World Junior Girls Golf Championship features nine players in the top 200 of the WAGR. Soomin Oh from the Korea is the lowest ranked player in the field currently at no. 14. Oh, was part of Korea’s runner-up finish last year in Brampton, Ont. and finished third in the individual competition. Teammate Seojin Park also returns this year and is currently ranked no. 80. The United States feature two players inside the top 200 including Nikki Oh (no. 112) and Scarlett Schremmer (no. 184). France and Hong Kong, China both feature two players inside the top 200. France will be represented by Sara Brentcheneff (no. 97) and Alice Kong (no. 128). Arianna Lau (no. 67) and Sophie Han (no. 98) will represent Hong Kong, China.

Several players who have competed in the World Junior Girls Golf Championship have gone on to great success on the LPGA Tour. Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 13-time LPGA Tour winner and Canada’s winningest professional golfer, finished fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural championship in 2014.

Other notable competitors who went on to become LPGA Tour winners include Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand who won back-to-back World Junior titles in 2018 and 2019 as well as Yuka Saso of the Philippines who won the 2016 World Junior title. 2023 CPKC Women’s Open winner, Megan Khang of the United States competed in the inaugural tournament in 2014. Other former World Junior competitors who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Hannah Green of Australia as well as Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Sweden. Hye-Jin Choi from the Republic of Korea won both the 2015 team and individual championship at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship and has earned several top five finishes on the LPGA Tour.

Credit Valley Golf and Country Club will play host for the world championship and boasts a challenging 18-hole Robbie Robinson designed parkland course. Nestled alongside the winding Credit River and the natural setting of the valley, it offers members a hidden golf and country club oasis within the bustling cityscape of Mississauga.

The following is a list of competing countries in the ninth annual World Junior Girls Championship:

Belgium

Canada (Team Canada 1 and Team Canada 2)

Chinese Taipei

Colombia

Czechia

Denmark

England

Finland

France

Germany

Hong Kong, China

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Mexico

Morocco

Peru

Poland

Republic of Korea

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

United States of America

Practice rounds for the 72-hole competition will take place September 30 and October 1 with the first round of play set for Wednesday, October 2. The tournament’s closing ceremony will immediately follow the conclusion of play on Saturday, October 5.

Admission to 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship is free for all spectators. For more information on the championship, please click here.

2024

World Junior Girls Golf Championship coming to Credit Valley Golf and Country Club in Mississauga

Nobelle Park, Shauna Liu and Lindsay McGrath
Nobelle Park, Shauna Liu and Lindsay McGrath pictured at the World Junior Girls Golf Championships Media Day on Monday September 16, 2024. (Emily Cestra/ Golf Canada)

Golf Canada has set an impressive stretch goal of having 30 professional golfers at the highest levels of the sport by 2032.

The World Junior Girls Golf Championship is a huge part of that target.

Credit Valley Golf and Country Club will host the international tournament from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5, with 24 teams representing 23 nations — Canada gets two squads — competing. Lindsay McGrath, a 17-year-old golfer from Oakville, Ont., said she’s excited to be representing Canada and continue to develop her game.

“I’m really grateful to be here,” said McGrath on Monday after a news conference in Credit Valley’s clubhouse in Mississauga, Ont. “It’s just such an awesome feeling being here and representing our country, wearing all the logos and being on Team Canada.

“I’ve always wanted to play in this tournament, so it’s really special to me.”

McGrath will be joined by Nobelle Park of Oakville, Ont., and Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta., on Team Canada 2. All three earned their places through a qualifying tournament last month.

“I love my teammates so much,” said McGrath. “I know Nobelle and Eileen very well. I’m just so excited to be with them. We have such a great relationship.”

Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont., Calgary’s Aphrodite Deng and Clairey Lin make up Team Canada 2. Liu earned her exemption following her win at the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship while Deng earned her exemption as being the low eligible Canadian on the world amateur golf ranking as of Aug. 7.

Deng was No. 175 at the time, she has since improved to No. 171 and is Canada’s lowest-ranked player.

“I think it’s a really great opportunity,” said Liu. “We don’t really get that many opportunities to play with people from across the world, so it’s really great to meet new people and play with them.

“It’s great to see maybe how they play and take parts from their game that we might also implement our own games.”

Golf Canada founded the World Junior Girls Golf Championship in 2014 to fill a void in women’s international competition and help grow its own homegrown talent. The hosts won for the first time last year when Vancouver’s Anna Huang, Toronto’s Vanessa Borovilos and Vancouver’s Vanessa Zhang won team gold and Huang earned individual silver.

Medallists who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., who was fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural tournament. She was on Canada’s bronze-medal team in 2014 with Selena Costabile of Thornhill, Ont., and Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee.

Other notable competitors who went on to become LPGA Tour winners include Angel Yin and Megan Khang of the United States, as well as Yuka Saso of the Philippines, Sweden’s Linn Grant and Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand.

“It’s not if, it’s when they’re going to be on the LPGA Tour,” said Garrett Ball, Golf Canada’s chief operating officer, of how Canada’s golfers in the World Junior Girls Championship can be part of the organization’s goal to have 30 pros in the LPGA and PGA Tours by 2032.

“Events like this, like the She Plays Golf festival that we launched two years ago, and then the CPKC Women’s Open exemptions that we utilize to bring in our national team athletes and get the experience has been important in that pathway.”

The individual winner of the World Junior Girls Golf Championship will earn a berth in next year’s CPKC Women’s Open at nearby Mississaugua Golf and Country Club.

Both clubs, as well as former RBC Canadian Open host site Glen Abbey Golf Club, were devastated by heavy rains through June and July as the Greater Toronto Area had its wettest summer in recorded history.

Jason Hanna, the chief operating officer of Credit Valley Golf and Country Club, said that he has seen the Credit River flood so badly that it affected the course’s playability a handful of times over his nearly two decades with the club.

Staff and members alike came together to clean up the course after the flooding was over, with hundreds of people coming together to make the club playable again.

“You had to show up, bring your own rake, bring your own shovel, bring your own gloves, and then we’d take them down to the golf course, assign them to areas where they would work, and then we would do a big barbecue down at the halfway house,” said Hanna. “We got guys, like, 80 years old, putting in eight-hour days down there, working away.”

2024

Inside the Field – 24 teams set to compete for the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship

WJGGC

Largest field in tournament history will feature
23 countries and 72 competitors

Mississauga, Ont. – With less than a month to go until the start of the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship, the field of participating countries is now set. The ninth playing of the world championship will feature a record, 23 counties and 72 players competing at Credit Valley Golf & Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. from September 30 – October 5.

In total, 24 teams will battle for the team championship while also competing for individual honours, with the individual champion earning an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open being held at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont., August 18-24, 2025.

Team Canada 1 will be defending the championship after a thrilling final round in 2023 which saw them push ahead of the Republic of Korea to win the title for the first time in tournament history. Canada will be represented with two teams again this year and rosters for both teams will be announced at a later date.

Joining Canada are past champions, Italy (2018), Republic of Korea (2015, 2019), Spain (2017, 2022) and the United States (2014). In the eight-year history of the tournament, aside from the host nation, six other countries have participated in every tournament including: Denmark, England, Italy, Mexico, Spain and Sweden.

The Republic of Korea are the most successful team in tournament history. In addition to two championships, the team has also finished in second on three occasions (2016, 2017, 2023).

Sweden have finished on the podium on four occasions including two runner-up finishes (2014, 2022) and two third place finishes (2015, 2017). The United States have also earned a second-place finish (2018) and third place finish (2016) along with being the inaugural champions. In addition to tournament wins, Team Canada 1 and Italy have also earned a third-place finish in 2014 and 2019 respectively.

This year’s tournament will mark the debut of Hong Kong, China and Morocco who will both be competing for the first time. Last year’s tournament saw the first appearances from Iceland, Peru and Poland. All three countries are returning this year.

This year’s field for the World Junior Girls Golf Championship is highlighted by Soomin Oh from the Republic of Korea (Korea). Oh, was part of Korea’s runner-up finish last year in Brampton, Ont. and also finished in third in the individual competition. Oh, is currently ranked no. 14 on the World Amateur Rankings (WAGR). Teammate Seojin Park also returns this year and is currently ranked no. 68 on WAGR. The United States are represented by Gianna Clemente (no. 23), Nikki Oh (no. 128) and Scarlett Schremmer (no. 211). Alice Kong of France will also be competing in Mississauga and currently is ranked no. 150.

Team Canada will be represented by Shauna Liu, Aphrodite Deng, Clairey Lin, Lindsay McGrath, Nobelle Park and Eileen Park. Lin of Langley, B.C., McGrath of Oakville, Ont., Nobelle Park of Oakville, Ont. and Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. all earned their places through a qualifying tournament last month. Liu of Maple, Ont. and Deng of Calgary, Alta. secured their exemptions to Team Canada prior to the qualifying tournament. Liu earned her exemption following her win at the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship while Deng earned her exemption as being the low eligible Canadian on the WAGR as of August 7. Deng was no. 175, she has since improved to no. 171 and is Canada’s lowest ranked player. The rosters for Team Canada will be announced at a later date.

A number of players who have competed in the World Junior Girls Championship have gone on great success on the LPGA Tour, led by Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 13-time LPGA winner and Canada’s winningest professional golfer, who finished fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural championship hosted in 2014.

Other notable competitors who went on to become LPGA Tour winners include Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand who won back-to-back World Junior titles in 2018 and 2019 as well as Yuka Saso of the Philippines who won the 2016 World Junior title. 2023 CPKC Women’s Open winner, Megan Khang of the United States competed in the inaugural tournament in 2014. Other former World Junior competitors who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Hannah Green of Australia and Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Sweden. Hye-Jin Choi from the Republic of Korea won both the 2015 team and individual championship at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship and has earned a number of runner-up finishes on the LPGA Tour including the 2022 CPKC Women’s Open.

Credit Valley Golf and Country Club will play host for the world championship and boasts a challenging 18-hole Robbie Robinson designed parkland course. Nestled alongside the winding Credit River and the natural setting of the valley, it offers members a hidden golf and country club oasis within the bustling cityscape of Mississauga.

The following is a list of competing countries in the ninth annual World Junior Girls Championship:

Belgium

Canada (Team Canada 1 and Team Canada 2)

Chinese Taipei

Colombia

Czechia

Denmark

England

Finland

France

Germany

Hong Kong, China

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Mexico

Morocco

Peru

Poland

Republic of Korea

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

United States of America

Practice rounds for the 72-hole competition will take place September 30 and October 1 with the first round of play set for Wednesday, October 2. The tournament’s closing ceremony will immediately follow the conclusion of play on Saturday, October 5.

Admission to 2024 World Junior Girls Championship is free for all spectators.

2024

Clairey Lin, Lindsay McGrath, Nobelle Park and Eileen Park qualify for Team Canada for the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship

Eileen Park, Lindsay McGrath, Shauna Liu, Clairey Lin, Nobelle Park (left to right) - 2024 World Junior Girls Team Canada members Photo: Kevin Sousa/Golf Canada
Eileen Park, Lindsay McGrath, Shauna Liu, Clairey Lin, Nobelle Park (left to right) - 2024 World Junior Girls Team Canada members Photo: Kevin Sousa/Golf Canada

Shauna Liu earns spot on 2025 Team Canada – NextGen

Caledon, Ont. – Clairey Lin, Lindsay McGrath, Nobelle Park and Eileen Park have earned their spots on Team Canada for the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship following a 54-hole qualifying tournament at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont. They join Shauna Liu and Aphrodite Deng who already qualified based on their results from 2024.

Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C. finished the tournament at 5-under to secure the first of four spots. Lin posted rounds of 71-71-69 – 211, including a 3-under 69 on Monday to claim the top spot in qualifying. Lin will be making her first appearance at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship.

This season, the 14-year-old has won twice on the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), including The AJGA Panama Junior, presented by St. Georges Bank in March and The Spin Junior Championship in August. Lin was also runner-up at the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver, B.C.

Lindsay McGrath of Oakville, Ont. has been a member of Team Canada NextGen for two seasons and will also be making her first appearance at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship. McGrath finished at 4-under following rounds of 70-71-71 – 212 to grab the second spot. The 17-year-old won the Visit Goldsboro NC Junior Championship in Goldsboro, N.C. in April as part of the AJGA.

Nobelle Park also of Oakville, Ont. will be making her first appearance as well after finishing third at 2-under. Park posted rounds of 71-71-72 – 214. The 14-year-old has won three provincial tournaments this season including the 2024 Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship in June at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, Ont., the Ontario Junior Players’ Invitational in March and the Junior Girls Spring Classic in May.

Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. grabbed the final spot and will be returning to the World Junior Girls Golf Championship after representing Team Canada 2 last year in Brampton, Ont. Park jumped ahead after closing with an eagle on no. 17 and a par of the 18th to finish the tournament at 1-under. Park finished with rounds of 70-72-73 – 215. This season, the 15-year-old has won twice including the AJGA Junior All-Star at College Station in College Station, Texas in March and the NextGen Pacific Championship at the Summerland Golf and Country Club in Summerland, B.C. in May.

The four will join Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont. and Aphrodite Deng of Calgary, Alta. who previously earned exemptions to Team Canada for the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship. Liu earned her exemption following her win at the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship while Deng earned her exemption as being the low eligible Canadian on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) as of August 7, where she was no. 175. Both will be making their first appearances at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship.

Deng, 14, has won twice as part of the AJGA this season including The Nelly Invitational in Bradenton, Fla. in May and the New Jersey Junior Girls Championship in West Windsor Township, N.J. in June.

In addition to the qualifying tournament, players were competing for a guaranteed spot on the roster for Team Canada – NextGen for 2025.

Liu finished atop the leaderboard at 10-under over three rounds to secure her spot on Team Canada NextGen for 2025. Liu posted rounds of 71-66-69 – 206 to win by five shots over Lin. The 15-year-old has enjoyed a successful 2024 season highlighted by winning the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO and the CDW Girls Junior All-Star Championship as part of the AJGA earlier this month in Illinois.

Liu was two shots back of fellow Team Canada NextGen member, Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. (3-under) following Saturday’s opening round. Liu fired a 6-under 66 on Sunday to take a two-shot lead over Anna Huang of Vancouver, B.C. heading into Monday’s final round.

Selection for the World Junior Girls squads is separate from the 2025 Team Canada – NextGen squad. The remaining places for the 2025 Team Canada – NextGen squad will be decided by Golf Canada’s selection committee by late September. When making final decisions for player selection, the committee will consider player results from the 2024 season along with selection camp results including information gathered during skills testing. The full selection criteria for Team Canada – NextGen can be found here.

The 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship will take place at Credit Valley Golf & Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. from September 30 – October 5. For more information on the tournament, please click here. Team Canada’s rosters will be announced at a later date.

For the final standings of the Team Canada World Junior Girls Championship qualifier and Team Canada – NextGen selection camp, please click here.

2023

Golf Canada announces three future sites for World Junior Girls Golf Championship

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(October 11, 2023) – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the host golf clubs for the World Junior Girls Golf Championship, presented by Sargent Farms for the next three years.

Credit Valley Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. will host in 2024, followed by St. Catharines Golf and Country Club in St. Catharines, Ont. in 2025 and The Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau, Que. in 2026.

The World Junior Girls Championship has been conducted eight times since its inception in 2014, most recently last week at the Brampton Golf Club in Brampton, Ont. The prestigious international championship brings together the world’s best junior-aged girls golfers competing for the team and individual title. In addition to the competition, the championship is a week-long celebration of golf hosting First Tee – Canada clinics and a PGA of Canada coach’s summit.

“Together with our partners, Golf Canada is excited to announce our next three host venues for the World Junior Girls Golf Championships,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Director, Amateur Championships and Rules, Golf Canada. “We want to thank all three host courses along with their respective cities for their commitment to amateur golf in Canada and hosting this prestigious world championship. The impact of these three clubs and their collective membership provides the event continued momentum to build off the success of these past eight years.”

Team Canada won its first-ever World Junior Girls Golf Championship and Denisa Vodickova of the Czech Republic won the individual competition last week at Brampton Golf Club. The gold-medal Team Canada 1 squad was comprised of 14-year-old Anna Huang of Vancouver, 17-year-old Vanessa Borovilos of Toronto and 17-year-old Vanessa Zhang of Vancouver who shot a team-total 4-under 564 for the championship, a single shot clear of the Republic of Korea. Vodickova, tied the women’s competitive course record during Friday’s third round with a 5-under 66. She went on to finish the tournament at 7-under and won by three shots, also earning an exemption into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open.

This year’s championship featured the largest field in tournament history, with a total of 66 athletes comprising 22 teams and 21 countries, with eight competitors ranked inside the World Golf Amateur Rankings (WAGR) top-100.

Spain (2017 & 2022) is tied with the Republic of Korea (2015 & 2019) for the most victories in the event’s eight-year history with two each. Other team winners include the United States (2014), Philippines (2016), Italy (2018), and Canada (2023). The Republic of Korea have earned the most podium finishes in tournament history with five, after winning the silver medal this year. A history of past individual and team winners is available here.

Several players who have competed in the World Junior Girls Golf Championship have gone on to have great success on the LPGA Tour, led by Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 13-time LPGA winner and Canada’s winningest professional golfer, who finished fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural championship hosted in 2014.

Other notable competitors who went on to become LPGA Tour winners include Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand who won back-to-back World Junior titles in 2018 and 2019 as well as Yuka Saso of the Philippines who won the 2016 World Junior title. The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open winner, Megan Khang of the United States competed in the inaugural tournament in 2014. Other former World Junior competitors who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Hannah Green of Australia and Maja Stark of Sweden.

ABOUT THE HOST VENUES…

Credit Valley Golf and Country Club – September 30 – October 5, 2024
Credit Valley Golf and Country Club boasts a challenging 18-hole Robbie Robinson designed parkland course. Nestled alongside the winding Credit River and the natural setting of the valley, it offers members a hidden golf and country club oasis within the bustling cityscape of Mississauga.

“On behalf of the members and staff at Credit Valley, we are honoured to host the World Junior Girls Championship in 2024. This event has generated great excitement and support from our membership, and we look forward to welcoming the best junior players from all over the world to Credit Valley. Thank you to Golf Canada and Tourism Mississauga for being great partners in helping us bring this prestigious championship to our club and community.” – Patrick Yashar, Director of Golf, Credit Valley Golf and Country Club

“Tourism Mississauga is thrilled to partner with the Credit Valley Golf and Country Club to host the World Junior Girls Golf Championship in 2024.  We are ready to showcase one of our finest golf courses and will continue to celebrate women in sport and the cultural canvas that is Mississauga. We look forward to cheering these athletes on and creating an experience they will never forget!” – Victoria Clarke, CEO, Tourism Mississauga

St. Catharines Golf and Country Club – September 15 – 20, 2025
St. Catharines Golf and Country Club features a 6,850-yard golf course that was designed by Stanley Thompson. Over its 125-year history, the Club has had several renovations with a current master plan developed by Ian Andrew, the noted course architect. The course is located in the heart of the City’s downtown, has hosted many provincial and national golfing events.

Our members are excited about the opportunity of hosting these young golfers from around the world, and we promise them a challenging golf course for the competition.” – Brent Pym, President, St. Catharines Golf and Country Club

St. Catharines has a proud history of supporting international sporting events and we look forward to welcoming the World Junior Girls Golf Championship to the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club.” – Mat Siscoe, Mayor, City of St. Catharines

The Royal Ottawa Golf Club – September 28 – October 3, 2026
The Royal Ottawa Golf Club offers the finest courses in the National Capital Region, graced by the natural beauty of the Gatineau Hills. The Main Course is a natural, old-fashioned layout, where the emphasis is placed on the natural lay of the land, rather than artificially created hazards. The original course architect was Tom Bendelow of Chicago, who at the time was a leader in the industry. The original design was subsequently amended by Willie Park Jr., winner of the British Open in 1887 and 1897. In recent years, Graham Cooke was a principal Course Architect. The current Course Architect is Neil Haworth, who spearheaded the design of the new Short Game Area and Canada’s first full TrackMan Range. The golf course played host to the 2000 CPKC Women’s Open and holds the record for hosting the most Canadian Amateur Championships.

“The Royal Ottawa Golf Club is thrilled and honoured to welcome the world’s top junior golfers for the 2026 World Junior Girls Championship. We are looking forward to the showcase of talent these players will bring to our historic course.” – Kris Bulmer, Club President, The Royal Ottawa Golf Club

“Our team at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club enthusiastically awaits our opportunity to welcome the World in 2026. Having been a part of the 2018 World Junior Girls event in Ottawa, I look forward to raising the standard of excellence to match the high level of golf skill these girls will exhibit.” – Greg Richardson, General Manager, The Royal Ottawa Golf Club

2023

Victory for Canada at the 2023 World Junior Girls Golf Championship

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BRAMPTON, ON – October 7th, 2023 – Day SEVEN of the 2023 World Junior Girls Golf Championship presented by Sargent Farms at Brampton Golf Club. (Christian Bender/Golf Canada)

Denisa Vodickova of the Czech Republic wins individual title at Brampton Golf Club

Brampton, Ont. – The most successful season in Canadian golf history added another exciting chapter on Saturday as Team Canada won its first-ever team title at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship, presented by Sargent Farms.

The Canada 1 Team comprised of 14-year-old Anna Huang of Vancouver (71-69-70-70—280), 17-year-old Vanessa Borovilos of Toronto (70-73-73-75—291), and 17-year-old Vanessa Zhang of Vancouver (72-75-80-68—295) shot a team-total 138 under cool and blustery conditions at Brampton Golf Club in Brampton, Ont. to finish at 4-under 564 for the championship, a single shot clear of the Republic of Korea.

Canada 1, who began the day with a share of the third-round lead alongside Korea and the United States, needed a late-round charge to overtake Korea, who held a one-shot team lead through 16 holes.

The tournament shifted on the par-5 17th hole when Huang made birdie for Canada and Korea’s Soomin Oh made bogey.  Zhang then stepped up with birdie on the par-418th, followed by Huang rolling in a par-putt to secure Canada’s first-ever team gold medal at the prestigious international junior championship.

Team Canada 1 Coach Jeff MacDonald of Chester, N.S. was proud of how his team battled all week, going head-to-head with powerhouse challengers from Korea and the United States to earn the prestigious title – world champions.  

“It feels really amazing, the girls have worked so hard, they all contributed so much today, it was really close all day and they dealt with the stress really, really well,” said MacDonald, who was especially proud of the team’s resolve and self belief that they could win. “Anna made a huge birdie on 17 while Vanessa was rolling in an incredible 30-footer on 18. We always knew, its good company to be in, they (Korea and the USA) weren’t going to back down. The Koreans made a lot of putts today, they were exceptional, and our Canadians really stepped up to the occasion. They never felt like they couldn’t win this golf tournament. The whole time they knew they belonged, and they knew they could compete with those countries. They were competing, they wanted to win, and they knew they could win the whole time.”

“I think me, and Vanessa (Zhang) did a great job on the last four holes, we both made two birdies, so that was a really great comeback for us, I’m just really proud of how we all did as a team, its not just individual scores, its all about the team effort,” said Huang.

Canada’s previous best team finish at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship was a bronze medal in 2014.

“I don’t think we all had super high expectations going into this event, we just set out to do our best every single day and it was nice that we saw ourselves on the leaderboard, it more just came down to keeping our practice routines the same and trying our best each and every shot,” said Zhang.

“Its such a cool experience, I said this earlier this week, you’re playing for something bigger than yourself, you’re playing for a team, and to do this together, feels pretty cool,” added Borovilos.

The two-time past winners from Korea would finish with the silver medal, shooting a team-total 3-under 565 followed by Czech Republic earning bronze at 4-over 572. Rounding out the top-five were Sweden (5-over 573) and Mexico (8-over 576).

The Team Canada 2 squad of 14-year-old Miranda Lu of Vancouver, 16-year-old Luna Lu of Burnaby, B.C. and 14-year-old Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. finished 18th.

World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms – final team standings:

1                Canada 1          (-4)                  141-142-143-138—564

2                Korea                (-3)                  143-141-142-139—565

3                Czech Republic (+4)                  145-142-142-143—572

4                Sweden            (+5)                  140-147-144-142—573

5                Mexico              (+8)                  144-144-149-139—576

6                United States    (+9)                  139-142-145-151—577

7                Belgium            (+12)                  142-149-146-143—580

8                Spain                (+15)                  143-144-149-147—583

9                Italy                  (+16)                  146-144-152-142—584

10              England            (+17)                  141-148-149-147—585

11              Germany           (+26)                  148-147-149-150—594

12              Finland              (+28)                  146-147-154-149—596

13              Denmark           (+29)                  151-147-147-152—597

14              Poland              (+32)                  148-147-150-155—600

15              Chinese Taipei  (+35)                  148-153-146-156—603

T16            Switzerland       (+36)                  148-147-158-151—604

T16            Colombia          (+36)                  153-150-151-150—604

18              Canada 2          (+43)                  154-151-153-153—611

19              Peru                  (+44)                  151-155-158-148—612

20              Iceland              (+47)                  152-156-154-153—615

T21            Austria              (+51)                  149-154-159-157—619

T21            Wales               (+51)                  155-158-156-150—619

Click here for the full team competition leaderboard.

In the individual competition, third-round leader Denisa Vodickova of the Czech Republic followed up yesterday’s scorching 66 with a final-round even par 71 to win the Czech Republic’s first-ever individual medal in the eight-year history of the championship. An adjustment a month ago to her putting grip brought a great sense of confidence into the championship, finishing 7-under 277 for the tournament.   

“It’s amazing, I feel great. I was very nervous today, I messed up the 17th hole a little bit and wasn’t’ sure I was still leading but was very glad about the finish,” said Vodickova, who plans to play college golf at Wake Forest next year. “My putting was really good, I’m putting cross-handed now, I changed a month ago and it’s working really well.”

With the victory, the 18-year-old earns an exemption into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open next July at the Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, Alta.

Canadian Anna Huang capped off a tournament to remember, earning runner-up honours in the individual competition in addition to helping Canada win its first-ever team title. Huang, who finished T11 in 2022, shot a final-round 1-under 70 to finish at 4-under 280 for the championship, three shots back.

The runner-up finish for Huang was the best by a Canadian in the individual competition since Brooke Henderson’s fourth-place finish in 2014. 

Soomin Oh of Korea finished third at 3-under 281 while Savanah de Bock of Belgium (1-under 283) and Nora Sundberg of Sweeden (2-over 286) rounded out the top-five.

Click here for the final round individual leaderboard.

This year marked the largest field in tournament history, with a total of 66 athletes comprising 22 teams and representing 21 countries competing for the team and individual titles.