An Estevan golfer had a strong showing at the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour national championship in Surrey, B.C., from Oct. 10-12.
Jayden Dudas finished fifth in the junior boys division with a three-round total of 226. He had a 75 in the first round, a 74 in the second and a 77 in the third, and wound up six strokes behind winner Ilirian Zalli of Vancouver.
鈥淚 think the first two days were good,鈥� said Dudas. 鈥淚 was hitting fairways and playing pretty well. But there are always things you can work on and improve. Maybe that鈥檚 for next time.鈥�
Dudas was sitting second entering the final round.
He qualified for the national event based on points accumulated throughout the year.
Normally nationals would be held in the U.S., but it had to be held in Canada this year due to the COVDI-19 pandemic and the restrictions for border travel currently in place. Dudas has been to nationals on several occasions.
鈥淢y experience helped me a little bit, because I like playing with all of those really good golfers, and getting to see how they play,鈥� said Dudas.
Twenty-five golfers were entered in his division, and there were six divisions at the national competition.
He thought he was playing well going into the tournament. He spent a lot of time working with his coach, which was definitely very helpful.
The level of competition at nationals was the high calibre that one would expect.
鈥淎nyone from the top eight could have won. The kid that won, he鈥檚 a really good,鈥� said Dudas.
The course, Morgan Creek Golf Club, was likely the toughest he鈥檚 ever played, but it was also likely the nicest course he has seen. The greens were fast and he had to hit his tee shots in the fairway.
Dudas is undecided on what鈥檚 next for him. He鈥檚 going to play in some men鈥檚 tournaments and see how he does.
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