Coming into this summer, Jackson Delaurier had a goal of winning the Westman Junior Tour in the 14 & under age group. Of course, it would be a hard goal to achieve as he was joined by some of the best juniors in the province in his age group.
The summer-long circuit started just more than two months ago at the Minnedosa Golf & Country Club where Jackson shot an 82 to claim his first championship of the season and that one proved to be the first of many. In the matter of three weeks in June and three tournaments, Delaurier had three titles with all of his scores being in the low 80s.
Now as we fast forward to yesterday, Delaurier had the opportunity to finish the circuit in a style that he didn't even think was possible. He had won six tournaments this season and finished in a tie for first in the other meaning he had the chance to finish the season perfect if he brought his best game to the Oak Island Golf Course.
His best was exactly what the young man from Dauphin brought as he shot a 75 to win the tournament by five strokes and his course was the lowest of the season so far on the Westman Junior Tour.
"It's just great knowing that I've played so well in tournament golf this summer," said Delaurier. "Even when I'm not playing the best, I still found ways to get it done and that makes me really happy."
Added all up and Jackson has won seven championships this season alongside one tie for first which earned him 50 points and for the first time in his young golf career, Delaurier has won the Westman Junior Tour's 14 & under age group. He ended up with 14 more points than the second-place competitor.
"I'm really happy that I won it all. That was my goal at the beginning of the season and it feels amazing to be able to achieve my goal," offered Delaurier.
Delaurier wasn't the only Parklander who ended up having a great summer on the circuit. Luke Myhre finished behind Jackson in a tie for second with 36 points while Boston Karlson finished in ninth. Ryan Gower from McCreary finished in seventh. In the 12 & under age group, Hayden Shtykalo finished in solo second place with 45.5 points, 2.5 behind Carson Craig who won the title. Quinten Fisk finished in sixth.
"It's great to see some other people from my area play well and compete hard," said Delaurier.
Delaurier also finished runner-up at the provincial bantam champion, losing in a playoff. He one day hopes to secure an NCAA D1 scholarship.
Next up for Jackson is a trip to the Clear Lake Golf Course where he will look to improve on his performance from last season at the Tamarack Tournament. He did win a title at the event last year; however, it came in the fourth flight, and admittedly so, that wasn't good enough and he wants more. Delaurier's goal is to advance to the championship flight this season and he will need a good qualifier round to make that happen in an event that is stacked from top to bottom.
"My irons are pretty dialed in right now and I'm feeling really confident," ended Delaurier. "I won a putter on the Westman Tour so I think that's going to really help me out. I also know where I have to be at Clear Lake, so I'm looking forward to the challenge and we will see how it goes."
