Golf Canada – Lacasse and Portokalis each win divisions by two strokes

MIDLAND, Ont. – A hot and humid day, punctuated by a booming thunder clap, closed out the 2016 edition of the CN Future Links Ontario Championship at Midland Golf & Country Club. Brandon Lacasse and Isabella Portokalis emerged from tight groups of competitors to claim the Junior Girls and Junior Boys titles.

The Junior Boys leaderboard was crowded throughout the final day of competition. Lacasse separated himself from the group and the Châteauguay, Que., product matched his second-round 70 to finish 212 overall. The 18-year-old, who entered the day with a share of the lead, finished with two birdies for a two-stroke victory.

“I just tried to play as if it was a fun round,” said Lacasse. “I always finish second or third, so I’m happy to finally win a big tournament.”

Lacasse noted the bittersweet nature of the victory with this being his final year of eligibility on the junior circuit. “It’s fun to finish with a win,” he said. “Last year, I finished sixth at the Canadian Juniors, so maybe a win this year will help me perform better.”

Toronto’s Tyler Nagano remained competitive throughout the round, tallying four birdies, but could not catch the leader. The 17-year-old finished 4-over 214, while Beaconsfield, Que., native Remi Chartier earned third-place with a 69 – his lowest round of the weekend.

As the Top-5 in the Junior Boys division, Lacasse, Nagano, Chartier, Ty Celone (Long Sault, Ont.) and Jake Bryson (Dunrobin, Ont.) earned spots into the 2016 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, which will be contested at Clovelly Golf Club in St. John’s, N.L. from August 1-4. Kelvin Young Woong Lim claimed the sixth available spot following a playoff-victory over Charles-David Trépanier of Québec City and Anthony Occhiuto from Guelph, Ont.

A clap of thunder forced the brief suspension of play with players being evacuated from the field due to safety concerns. After players returned to the course, Vancouver’s Tiffany Kong and Surrey, B.C., native Hannah Lee began play before the championship committee had allowed the resumption of play. After careful review of the situation, the committee decided to waive the penalty of disqualification as per Rule 6-8: Discontinuance of Play; Resumption of Play, and to issue each with a two-stroke penalty.

Isabella Portokalis tallied a pair of birdies en route to a 2-over 72 on the day. The London, Ont., native made par on hole 18 to sit 6-over 216 alongside Kong. When the two-stroke penalty was applied following the round, Portokalis claimed the win by two strokes.

“I just tried to keep calm and keep making pars, and if a putt went in then that was great,” said the 14-year-old when asked to reflect on the day. “I got into the scoring tent and everybody said that I won and I didn’t even realize it.”

Portokalis sees this victory as a building block towards future success, including the 2016 Canadian Junior Girls Championship in August. “Now I know that I can win any tournament,” she said. “I was three back on the first tee, but I bounced back on the back nine.”

Kong and Lee – members of Team Canada’s Women’s Development Squad – claimed second- and third-place in the tournament. Kong collected four birdies and an eagle on hole 15, but finished with a 2-over 72 showing. Lee finished third following a 75.

All players within the Top-6 in the Junior Girls division earned entries into the 2016 Canadian Junior Girls Championship from August 2-5 at The Links at Penn Hills in Shubenacadie, N.S. Ellie Szeryk (London, Ont,), Monet Chun (Richmond Hill, Ont.), and Grace St-Germain (Orleans, Ont.) will compete alongside Portokalis, Kong, and Lee.

Four additional CN Future Links Championships will cross the country this summer:

• June 3-5 – CN Future Links Quebec – Beauceville, Que. – Club de golf Beauceville
• June 10-12 – CN Future Links Prairie – Neepawa, Man. – Neepawa Golf & Country Club
• July 4-6 – CN Future Links Western – Medicine Hat, Alta. – Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club
• July 12-14 – CN Future Links Atlantic – Fairview, P.E.I. – Countryview Golf Club

Additional information regarding the 2016 CN Future Links Ontario Championship can be found here.

A selection of images from the competition is available for download here. When making use of the images, please credit Paul Bennett/Golf Canada.

2016 CN FUTURE LINKS ONTARIO CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS – JUNIOR GIRLS DIVISION

• 1. Isabella Portokalis, London, ON, *71-73-72-216 +6
• 2. Tiffany Kong, Vancouver, BC, *74-72-72-218 +8
• 3. Hannah Lee, Surrey, BC, *73-71-75-219 +9
• 4. Ellie Szeryk, Allen, TX, *78-68-74-220 +10
• 4. Monet Chun, Richmond Hill, ON, *72-69-79-220 +10
• 4. Grace St-Germain, Orleans, ON, *68-75-77-220 +10
• 7. Noémie Paré, Victoriaville, QC, *76-74-73-223 +13
• 7. Alexandra Naumovski, Hornby, ON, *77-73-73-223 +13
• 9. Mary Parsons, Delta, BC, *72-76-76-224 +14
• 10. Céleste Dao, Notre-Dame-de-L’Île-Perrot, QC, *74-77-74-225 +15
• 11. Chloe Currie, Mississauga, ON, *74-78-77-229 +19
• 12. Jasmime Ly, Windsor, ON, *76-76-78-230 +20
• 13. Sarah-Eve Rhéaume, Québec, QC, *81-75-75-231 +21
• 13. Sarah Beqaj, Toronto, ON, *75-75-81-231 +21
• 15. Sukriti Harjai, Niagara Falls, ON, *78-79-75-232 +22
• 16. Kathrine Chan, Richmond, BC, *77-80-76-233 +23
• 17. Delana Basanisi, Mississauga, ON, *74-77-83-234 +24
• 18. Megan Ratcliffe, Qualicum Beach, BC, *76-76-83-235 +25
• 19. Alyssa DiMarcantonio, Maple, ON, *78-82-78-238 +28
• 20. Emily Romancew, Pierrefonds, QC, *80-77-83-240 +30
• 21. Anna Foley, Toronto ON, *77-82-83-242 +32
• 22. Rose Morissette, Laval, QC, *91-74-78-243 +33
• 23. Hailey McLaughlin, Markham, ON, *86-77-82-245 +35
• 23. Audrey Paradis, Blainville, QC, *80-85-80-245 +35
• 25. Marilou Bernier, Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC, *81-83-82-246 +36
• 25. Camryn Roadley, Winnipeg, MB, *83-78-85-246 +36
• 27. Elizabeth Blier, St. Bruno, QC, *84-77-86-247 +37
• 28. Kate Johnston, Ayr, ON, *83-75-91-249 +39
• 29. Cynthia Zhao, Toronto, ON, *91-83-79-253 +43
• 30. Emily Zhu, Richmond Hill, ON, *89-87-79-255 +45
• 30. Ellice Hong, Thornhill, ON, *84-86-85-255 +45
• 32. Katie McTaggart, Guelph, ON, *94-90-85-269 +59
• 33. Raesa Sheikh, Markham, ON, *85-101-89-275 +65

2016 CN FUTURE LINKS ONTARIO CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS – JUNIOR BOYS DIVISION

• 1. Brandon Lacasse, Châteauguay, QC, *72-70-70-212 +2
• 2. Tyler Nagano, Toronto, ON, *73-71-70-214 +4
• 3. Remi Chartier, Beaconsfield, QC, *75-71-69-215 +5
• 4. Ty Celone, Long Sault, ON, *72-73-72-217 +7
• 4. Jake Bryson, Dunrobin, ON, *70-73-74-217 +7
• 6. Kelvin Young Woong Lim, Thornhill, ON, *74-72-72-218 +8 (P)
• 6. Charles-David Trépanier, Québec, QC, *72-73-73-218 +8
• 6. Anthony Occhiuto, Guelph, ON, *74-71-73-218 +8
• 9. William Latreille, L’Île-Bizard, QC, *73-74-73-220 +10
• 9. Minwoo Park, Toronto, ON, *74-72-74-220 +10
• 9. Thomas Giroux, Georgetown, ON, *70-75-75-220 +10
• 12. Cougar Collins, Caledon, ON, *77-72-72-221 +11
• 12. Sam Meek, Peterborough, ON, *71-77-73-221 +11
• 12. Thomas Code, Dorchester, ON, *75-69-77-221 +11
• 12. James Parsons, Almonte, ON, *72-70-79-221 +11
• 16. Jason (Chan young) Chung, Thornhill, ON, *75-76-71-222 +12
• 16. Andrew Nagel, Elmvale, ON, *75-74-73-222 +12
• 16. Jackson Bowery, London, ON, *76-72-74-222 +12
• 16. William Duquette, Laval, QC, *75-72-75-222 +12
• 16. Nicklaus Naumovski, Hornby, ON, *74-74-74-222 +12
• 16. Peyton Callens, Langton, ON, *74-74-74-222 +12
• 16. Félix Normand, Mont St-Hilaire, QC, *76-69-77-222 +12
• 23. Zack Mason, Toronto, ON, *83-71-69-223 +13
• 23. Adam Park, Toronto, ON, *76-76-71-223 +13
• 23. Thomas ‘Jack’ Simpson, Aurora, ON, *74-75-74-223 +13
• 23. Johnny Travale, Stoney Creek, ON, *71-78-74-223 +13
• 27. Jonathan Vermette, Val-d’Or, QC, *78-75-71-224 +14
• 28. Robbie Latter, Mississauga, ON, *80-72-73-225 +15
• 28. Nick Hofland, Ancaster, ON, *77-75-73-225 +15
• 28. Jason Williams, Toronto, ON, *77-75-73-225 +15
• 31. Brendan Dunphy, Whitby, ON, *79-73-74-226 +16
• 31. Marc-Antoine Hotte, Mascouche, QC, *76-75-75-226 +16
• 31. John Burghardt, Oakville, ON, *74-77-75-226 +16
• 31. Louis-Alexandre Colgan, Québec, QC, *70-79-77-226 +16
• 31. Cullen Chung, Westmount, QC, *74-73-79-226 +16
• 36. James Wyndham-West, King City, ON, *76-79-72-227 +17
• 36. Aidan Gavey, Caledonia, *78-73-76-227 +17
• 38. Laurent Desmarchais, Longueil, QC, *78-78-72-228 +18
• 38. Marcus Khaw, Burlington, ON, *78-76-74-228 +18
• 38. Brendan Smith, Ayers Cliff, QC, *74-78-76-228 +18
• 41. Abe Holmes, Barrie, ON, *81-76-72-229 +19
• 41. Matthew Vihant, Toronto, ON, *80-74-75-229 +19
• 41. Sean Trapp, Janetville, ON, *77-72-80-229 +19
• 44. Nicholas Oosterhof, Cobourg, ON, *77-80-73-230 +20
• 45. Cole Hague, Markham, ON, *75-81-75-231 +21
• 45. Ryan Stolys, Richmond Hill, ON, *77-75-79-231 +21
• 47. Zachary Greifenberger, Toronto, ON, *80-77-76-233 +23
• 47. Antoine Roy, Rimouski, QC, *79-77-77-233 +23
• 47. Vincent Poirier, Candiac, QC, *72-81-80-233 +23
• 50. Olivier Ménard, Valley Field, QC, *83-77-74-234 +24
• 50. Jack Riordan, Oshawa, ON, *81-75-78-234 +24
• 50. Thomas Gevas, Saint-Lazare, QC, *83-71-80-234 +24
• 50. Brendan Seys, Port Lambton, ON, *76-76-82-234 +24
• 54. Jeffrey Lebeau, Sherbrooke, QC, *80-79-76-235 +25
• 54. Isaac Maxwell, Mono, ON, *83-75-77-235 +25
• 54. Ryan Page, Whitby, ON, *83-74-78-235 +25
• 54. Ryan Ahrens, Peterborough, ON, *80-74-81-235 +25
• 58. Luca Carestia, Ancaster, ON, *81-78-77-236 +26
• 58. Kyle Chung, Brampton, ON, *80-78-78-236 +26
• 58. Nicholas Mihalo, Windsor, ON, *77-81-78-236 +26
• 58. Julian Myers, Ottawa, ON, *80-78-78-236 +26
• 62. Tristan Renaud, Sudbury, ON, *79-81-77-237 +27
• 62. Owen Dick, Toronto, ON, *83-74-80-237 +27
• 62. Eric (Joohyung) Byun, Richmond Hill, ON, *71-81-85-237 +27
• 65. Daniel Li, Toronto, ON, *87-73-78-238 +28
• 65. Edouard Grondin, Montréal, QC, *76-81-81-238 +28
• 65. Nathan Douglas, Thornhill, ON, *84-73-81-238 +28
• 65. Philippe Guité, St-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC, *78-77-83-238 +28
• 69. Frédéric Rousseau, Longueuil, QC, *87-78-74-239 +29
• 69. Paul (wonkyung) Sung, Richmond Hill, ON, *83-73-83-239 +29
• 71. Ethan Bennett, Stoney Creek, ON, *80-85-76-241 +31
• 71. Parker Lee, Oro Medonte, ON, *81-82-78-241 +31
• 71. Justin DiCienzo, Niagara Falls, ON, *83-81-77-241 +31
• 74. Lachlan O’Hara, Mississauga, ON, *82-77-83-242 +32
• 75. Thomas Sze, Vancouver, BC, *82-84-77-243 +33
• 76. Dee Xie, Toronto, ON, *85-80-79-244 +34
• 76. Alexandre Carrière, Mirabel, QC, *82-76-86-244 +34
• 78. Vincent Dicosimo, Niagara Falls, ON, *86-83-76-245 +35
• 78. Luke Sear, Stouffville, ON, *83-76-86-245 +35
• 80. Thomas Hunt, Georgetown, ON, *83-75-89-247 +37
• 81. Jaret Chipman, Niagara Falls, ON, *81-87-83-251 +41
• 82. Matt Sommerville, Baden, ON, *87-85-80-252 +42
• 82. Julien Roy, Rimouski, QC, *81-88-83-252 +42
• 84. Trent Zorgdrager, Stratford, ON, *85-86-85-256 +46
• 85. William Gagné, Québec, QC, *92-83-83-258 +48

DID NOT FINISH

• WD. Luke DeCorso, Guelph, ON, *
• WD. Ganden Doherty, Toronto, ON, *
• WD. Eric Sadokierski, Richmond Hill, ON, *
• WD. Alexander Wyndham-West, King City, ON, *

(P) denotes a playoff victory

– 30 –

ABOUT CN FUTURE LINKS
CN Future Links is Canada’s national junior golf program conducted by Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada and Canada’s provincial golf associations. The program is designed to forge a link between Canada’s youth and golf to ensure the future of the game in Canada. Since the inception of the program in 1996, more than 1.2 million young Canadians have taken part in CN Future Links. A number of new initiatives, including Field Trips and Learn to Play, have succeeded through CN’s sponsorship of the program. For more information, visit www.cnfuturelinks.com.

Golf Canada’s CN Future Links program is proudly sponsored by CN, Acura, Cobra Puma Golf and supported by ClubLink, Heritage Canada and the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA).

ABOUT CN
CN is a true backbone of the economy, transporting more than C$250 billion worth of goods annually for a wide range of business sectors, ranging from resource products to manufactured products to consumer goods, across a rail network spanning Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico. CN – Canadian National Railway Company, along with its operating railway subsidiaries — serves the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the metropolitan areas of Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For more information on CN, visit the company’s website at www.cn.ca (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI).

PGA OF CANADA—THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE GAME OF GOLF
Established in 1911, the PGA of Canada is the second oldest and third largest professional golf association in the world. The PGA of Canada is a non-profit Association comprised of 3,700 golf professionals across the country. The association’s mandate is to develop, promote and support its members in living a better life and earning a better living while growing participation, excellence and passion for the sport of golf. The association consists of the national office located in Acton, Ont., and nine Zone Offices across the country. www.pgaofcanada.com

GOLF CANADA – LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME.
Golf Canada is the National Sports Federation and governing body for golf in Canada representing close to 310,000 golfers at more than 1,400 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s mission is to grow participation, excellence and passion in the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. By investing in the growth of the sport and introducing more participants of all ages to the game, our goal is to be relevant to and respected by all Canadian golf enthusiasts from coast to coast. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.

For more information:

Herb Fung
Coordinator, Media and Public Relations
Golf Canada
(t) 1-800-263-0009 x 258
(c) 647-709-3167
(e) hfung@golfcanada.ca

Taylor Craig
Intern, Media and Public Relations
Golf Canada
(t) 1-800-263-0009 x 256
(c) 905-599-9001
(e) tcraig@golfcanada.ca