Maple Ridge’s Kevin Kwon is hoping he can add a second national title to his resume after firing blistering eight-under 64 in the opening round of the 2013 Canadian Junior Boys Championships at Timberwolf Golf Club in Sudbury, Ont.
Kwon won the national junior and juvenile championships at age 16 when he cruised to an astounding 11 stroke victory at Morgan Creek Golf Course in Surrey in 2011.
The Swan-E-Set Bay Resort golfer and member of Team Canada’s developmental team opened the round with birdies on three of the first four holes and finished with 31 on the front nine. He continued his torrid pace on the back nine, recording a 33 to finish three strokes in front of Austin James of Bath, Ont.
Kwon’s only blemish on the day was a bogey five on No. 16. He was able to get that stroke back with a birdie on the 533-yard par five No.18.
Kwon is looking for a strong summer showing before he is set to tee off as a freshman with the University of Washington this Fall.
Other notables at the event include Kwon’s teammates Matt Scobie of Ajax, Ont., who shot a four-under 68 and sits alone in third. Teammate Matt Williams of Calgary, Alta. fired a one-under 71 and sits in a tie for 10th.
The Canadian Junior Boys Championship dates back to 1938, and will see 156 golfers play in a four-day, 72-hole stroke play event. The field will be cut to the low 70 players and ties after 36 holes.
The winner of the 2013 Canadian Junior Boys Championship will earn an exemption into the 2013 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship being played Aug. 6 to 9 at Royal Colwood Golf Club and Gorge Vale Golf Club in Victoria, B.C.
Adam Svensson won the Canadian junior boys title at Osprey Ridge Golf Club in Bridgewater, N.S.