A pair of Surrey golfers stood above the field last weekend at Canadian Junior Girls Golf Championships in Saskatchewan.
Michelle Kim, an 18-year-old member of Team Canada's development squad, and fellow Surrey golfer Hannah Lee finished first and second, respectively, at the four-round tournament, which was held at Deer Park Golf Course in Yorkton, Sask.
Kim's third-round score of 69 propelled her ahead of the competition with a four-stroke lead through 54-holes, and she went on to finish the championship at six-under par 286.
“This is probably the biggest achievement that I’ve ever made. I mean I still can’t believe it; it feels amazing especially because it is my last junior tournament and I’ve worked really hard," Kim said in release.
Kim managed four rounds at even-par or better through high winds and rainy conditions to capture the championship by two strokes.
“I’ve played this tournament for many years and I’ve gotten close, but I was never really that close to winning. To win this just really gives me a big confidence boost going into the University of Idaho and competing in NCAA tournaments,” she said.
With the victory in the 2015 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, Michelle Kim has earned a spot in the 2016 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship hosted at Ken-Wo Golf Club in New Minas, N.S., and has earned exemptions into the 2016 season’s three Canadian Women’s Tour events.
Lee, a provincial teammate of Kim's, finished her final round at two-under par to claim second place overall, at four under for the tournament. Her final round was highlighted by four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 second hole.
“I was close to winning it, but I’m really happy for Michelle. I’ve seen her golf ever since I started playing tournaments, so congrats to her,” said the 15-year-old Lee, whose score was good enough to claim the juvenile division title.
“It’s an honour to win the juvenile part of nationals,” said Lee.
“I will take my experience from this tournament, I’m going to think about the memories I had here and remember to use them for my next tournaments so I can be more successful."