July 19, 2013

Jake McNulty Prevails at Investors Group Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship

Windsor, ON – Port Perry resident Jake McNulty captured his second provincial title of 2013 on Friday, closing out the Investors Group Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship with a final round 66 to win the championship by three strokes at Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor.

The tournament came to an exciting conclusion as a wealth of young talent from across the province clamored for the top spot on the leaderboard. McNulty methodically worked his way around the 6827-yard course, gaining momentum after the turn and playing a bogey-free back nine to move into the frontrunner position. The 18-year-old finished in style, nailing a 25-footer in front of a full gallery on the final hole to earn the title.

It was familiar territory for McNulty, who also won the Investors Group Ontario Junior Boys’ Spring Classic over the Victoria Day long weekend this past May.  He considers his victory at Ambassador to be the highlight of his golf career so far.

“This is for sure the best win - I thought that a few weeks ago at the Spring Classic, but it’s definitely better than that,” he said. “I’m hoping to do well at the Canadian Junior, and this gives me a lot of confidence.”

McNulty carded rounds of 70, 73, 69 and his closing 66 to finish with a total score of 278 (-6). The competitive experience that he gained as a member of the Virginia Commonwealth University men’s golf team is clearly making a difference to his game as he finishes his last season of contention at the junior level.

“Last year at this tournament I really good chance in the last round, but I shot 81. So I think you have to lose before you win, and playing for VCU over the winter I got good enough that I thought I could win here,” he explained.

“The Spring Classic was the first tournament back (from school) so it helped prove that I was right.”

McNulty missed the cut last week at the Ontario Amateur held at challenging OslerBrook Golf and Country Club, but believes that may have been a blessing in disguise.

“I think missing the cut last week at the Men’s Amateur was probably a good thing because I could practice a bit more and figure out what I needed to do with my game.”

The tournament became a grind for competitors after being plagued by continuous inclement weather delays, rain, and sweltering heat. Players were on the course from dawn until dusk trying to fit in the full 72 holes with a limited amount of time on the course.

“I’ve never played in a tournament with that many delays, we were playing six holes one day and 29 holes the next day,” said McNulty of the altered schedule that forced early starts and late finishes, with lots of waiting in between.

“It was tough, but we got through it.”

McNulty felt quite at home at Ambassador, a popular public course in Windsor designed by Thomas McBroom.

“It’s the same designer as my home course, Granite, so it looked kind of similar with a links style and the bunkering is very similar. The greens were very, very good so I was able to make a lot of putts,” he said.

McNulty will now prepare to take on the best in the nation at the Canadian Junior Boys’ Championship, set to be hosted by Timberwolf Golf Club in Sudbury on July 30 – August 2.

Earning runner-up honours and the silver medal is Brampton Golf Club member and Caledon resident Ryan Borg. The 18-year-old put together four solid rounds, carding 70, 68, 73 and 70 for a total score of 281 (-3) and will join McNulty as a member of Team Ontario in the inter-provincial team competition at the national championship.

Tying for third place was third-round leader Nicholas Ross of Hamilton Golf and Country Club. The Dundas resident delivered two rounds in the 60’s over the week, carding 67, 71, 68 and 76 on Friday to finish two-under par with a total score of 282.

Also finishing third overall was Team Ontario’s Christian Elliott of Port Perry, who made a stellar run to the finish with five birdies on his back nine. The Royal Ashburn Golf Club member scored rounds of 70, 72, 72 and 68 to finish at two-under alongside Ross. The pair played off for the third and final inter-provincial team spot, with Ross coming out on top.

Elliott’s Team Ontario teammate Tony Gil of Richmond Hill finished in fifth place at even par with a total score of 282, followed by Joey Kremer who rounded out the top six at 285 (+2).

The Investors Group Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship is contested annually and was played for the 91st time in 2013. The event is open to amateur golfers age 18 and younger who have gained entry into the event through one of ten qualifying tournaments earlier in the season or that have earned exemptions. Notable former champions of the event include Gary Cowan, Stu Hamilton, Graham Cooke, Matt Hill, Albin Choi, and 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir.

The Golf Association of Ontario would like to thank Ambassador Golf Club hosting the 2013 event, as well as Investors Group for their continued support of amateur golf in Ontario.