Junior prodigies capture men’s and women’s club titles on Vancouver Island
As the summer became fall on British Columbia’s Vancouver Island, the performances of three junior golfers made their province proud.
At Royal Colwood Golf Club in Victoria, 15-year-old Ewan Baldwin captured the men’s club championship. Ewan had previously won Royal Colwood’s junior boys’ club championship four times.
And at Bear Mountain Golf Club, also in Victoria, Bentley Hoogerdyk and Zaya Baines – 12 and 15 years old, respectively – captured the men’s and women’s club championships.
Ewan’s game is a product of the Royal Colwood Junior Programming, and his win in the club championship goes with another in this year’s Royal Colwood Men’s Invitational.
At his home course, Ewan’s known for being a friendly presence in addition to displaying his exceptional skill.
“All the great comments we get from our members and guests that have the opportunity to play with him show the type of person he is,” said Gordy Scutt, Royal Colwood’s head professional who has coached Ewan since he was six. “Always nice to hear about a great young player and even a better person on and off the golf course.”
Scutt also says Ewan is known for helping other juniors who may be experiencing difficulties in their games. Knowing his work ethic, Scutt is not the least bit surprised that Ewan has made the strides he has.
“If Ewan isn't at school, he will be found at a golf course,” Scutt said. “He loves to practice and often plays 36 holes a day, and sometimes 54 holes.”
Over at nearby Bear Mountain, the talent of Bentley and Zaya is also well-known. Lucas Nonni, that club’s head pro, had plenty to say, not least of which that both players are “incredibly dedicated and hard-working.”
“Bentley's competitiveness and relentless drive set him apart,” Nonni said. “He lives, breathes, and dreams about golf. Zaya's attitude and personality also make her shine. She wears her heart on her sleeve and is never afraid to speak her mind, qualities that will serve her well as she develops into a great golfer.”
Zaya’s club championship win was by 33 strokes, and Bentley’s by 13. As both players’ junior careers advance, Nonni couldn’t be prouder of what he’s seen from them.
“Watching their progress so far is truly inspiring, and it’s thrilling to see their dedication paying off. We’re confident they will continue to grow and succeed in the sport.”
Twelve-year-old Bentley has played golf for just about that long. The Bear Mountain Championship was just another victory for him in a career with already over 20 tournament wins and multiple appearances in the U.S. Kids World Championship. Prior to calling Bear Mountain his home course, Bentley had sharpened his game at Victoria Golf Club.
In the club’s championship, Bentley’s father, Tyler, took home the Men’s Amateur Net Championship, rounding out a week his family won’t soon forget.
Zaya balances her time golfing with competitive dance, which can sometimes create 36-hole days on those that she dedicates to golf. In any case, between her success and time spent watching sunsets with her father on the course, Zaya’s hard work is paying off. She aspires to play golf for the University of Hawaii in her future years.
The wins of Zaya, Bentley and Ewan come in the same year where Austin Krahn and Clara Ding – also of B.C. – were named Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) Junior Boys’ and Girls’ Player of the Year, respectively.
Whether in the mainland, or on Vancouver Island then, plenty of golf talent is emerging from Canada’s western side.