Soon to be 16-year-old Kade Johnson of Yorkton is one of just five Saskatchewan golfers that will be taking part in the 2014 Canadian Junior Boys Championship at the Legends on the Niagara - Battlefield golf course in Niagara Falls, Ontario, this week.
Johnson earned his spot by finishing tied for fourth at the 2014 Saskatchewan Junior Championship in Nipawin earlier this month with a three round total of 224 (+8).
But while competing on the National stage is something new to Johnson, taking part in big tournaments is not. The young golfer has competed in tournaments in both Florida and Arizona and feels that his experiences down south have helped prepare him for something such as the Junior Nationals. "It was nice to go down there and play well," offered Johnson. "I think what I learnt down there will help me in Ontario."
However Johnson knows that the competition in Ontario will be extremely high. Add to the fact that he'll be one of the youngest golfers taking part and Johnson knows he'll need to have his technical skills and his "small ball" working; especially since he's not much of a power guy. "I don't hit the ball very far so I'd rather use my technical skill on the green. That's how it has been while I was growing up. I didn't hit the ball very far but the way I scored was with my putting and chipping." admitted Johnson, adding that while he can drive the ball on average 260 yards, he has opted instead to focus on the area he knows get him results. "I'm always out here putting and chipping and practicing so that is definitely the strength of my game, playing around the greens."
Johnson's play around the greens will have to be on top form however, if he hopes to make the cut this year. But if he doesn't, Johnson says it's not really that big of a deal. "I'm just looking to have fun, go out and gain a lot of new experiences," mentioned Johnson. "If I make the cut that'll be great but I'll be there just to have fun, shoot the best I can and learn a lot (for the future)."
