Mitch Sutton Successfully Defends Canadian Junior Boys Title

Toronto’s Brandon Ng claims Canadian Juvenile title

Kitchener, Ont. (RCGA) – It was a battle to the finish, but when the divots settled at the 2009 Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Westmount Golf and Country Club, Mitch Sutton of London, Ont. was once again crowned champion.

Sutton fired a final round 1-under par 72 to finish at 6-under par and edge out third round leader Justin Shin of Maple Ridge, B.C.

Shin and Sutton both held the lead numerous times during the final round, but a double bogey five on No. 17 for Shin all but sealed the deal for Sutton.

“Tough break for Justin on No. 17,” said Sutton, shortly after coming out of the scoring tent. “He had a plugged lie in the bunker and ended up double bogeying. It was tough to watch, but it worked out well for me. I’m speechless right now. These past few weeks have been a blur.”

The win marks Sutton’s second in as many years at the Canadian Juniors. Sutton also claimed the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO’s) Investors Group Junior Boys' Match Play Championship on July 24th.

Last year at the Canadian Junior Boy’s Championship, Sutton outlasted Calgary’s Jack Wesche, who lost his drive on the final hole of the event before eventually double bogeying, and handing the lead over to Sutton.

This win was almost a mirror image of 2008’s final round, with Sutton finding himself in a sprint to the finish line with one of his playing partners. Like last year, Sutton managed to prevail.

“Last year’s win definitely helped prepare me for today’s finish,” added Sutton. “I had some nerves coming in on the back and my hands started to get a little shaky on a few putts. I thought back to last year, and how that panned out for me, which helped to calm me down.”

With the win, Sutton becomes the seventh competitor since the championship’s origin in 1938 to successfully defend his Canadian Junior Boys Championship title. Sutton, 17, is eligible for next year’s championship where he can look to become only the second to three-peat, with Winnipeg’s Rob McMillan (1992-1994) being the lone champion to accomplish the feat.

Despite the late blunder, Shin managed to finish T2nd with Dundas, Ont’s Mackenzie Hughes. Both tallied matching 5-under par 287’s.

Sutton and Shin will have little time to reflect on today’s events, as both head to the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship which takes place August 9-13 at Club de golf Le Blainvillier in Blainville, Que.

In the 16-years of age and younger Juvenile Division, Toronto’s Brandon Ng (16) sailed to victory with his 4-under par 288 finish, which was also good enough for a T4th in the junior boy’s competition.

“Today’s win feels great, especially because it’s my last year in the age category,” said Ng. “I’m looking forward to next year, where hopefully I will play just as well or better.”

The following are the final scores for the Canadian Junior Boys Championship for Thursday, August 6, 2009 at Westmount Golf and Country Club.

1. Mitch Sutton, London, ON, *73-67-74-72-286 -6
2. Mackenzie Hughes, Dundas, ON, *71-69-78-69-287 -5
2. Justin Shin, Maple Ridge, BC, *69-71-73-74-287 -5
4. Brandon Ng, Toronto, ON, *69-73-76-70-288 -4
4. Riley Wheeldon, Courtenay, BC, *72-71-71-74-288 -4
6. Sam Holland, New Minas, NS, *71-75-73-70-289 -3
7. Patrick Williams, Toronto, ON, *72-75-74-69-290 -2
8. Luke Ovenden, Georgetown, ON, *79-71-69-74-293 +1
9. Brent McKenzie, Cambridge, ON, *75-72-74-73-294 +2
9. Jesse Gibson, Saskatoon, SK, *78-72-71-73-294 +2
11. Corey Conners, Listowel, ON, *75-73-76-71-295 +3
11. Brian Churchill-Smith, Oakville, ON, *75-74-75-71-295 +3
11. Samuel Rochette, Pont-Rouge, QC, *76-77-71-71-295 +3
11. Albin Choi, Toronto, ON, *69-75-77-74-295 +3
11. Daniel Kim, Toronto, ON, *79-72-70-74-295 +3
16. Adam Svensson, Surrey, BC, *72-79-73-72-296 +4
17. Scott Malo, Calgary, AB, *76-76-76-69-297 +5
17. Richard Jung, Toronto, ON, *75-72-79-71-297 +5
17. Charlie Hughes, Maple Ridge, BC, *76-77-73-71-297 +5
20. Alexis Gemme Piacente, Montréal, QC, *73-76-77-73-299 +7
20. Taylor Pendrith, Richmond Hill, ON, *74-75-75-75-299 +7

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