Wilson hoping to follow up on strong year
2018 was a memorable year for Swift Current’s Griffin Wilson as his golf career took him south of the border and even across the Atlantic Ocean.
Wilson capped a strong season with an appearance at the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour Boston Pizza National Championship presented by Taylormade & Adidas Golf at The Legacy Golf Club, Phoenix, AZ, in November.
He continued his solid season when he tied for seventh out of 26 golfers in the Junior Boys Division at Nationals. Wilson opened the three-round event with a 75 on the 6,600-yard, par-71 course. He followed up with a 76 on day two and then carded a 77 in the final round.
Kelowna’s Justin Towill won the division with an even par 213 (72-70-71).
“Tied for seventh isn’t a terrible finish,” said Wilson. “I wanted to finish higher, the goal was to finish top-five or higher, so I wasn’t too far off. It just came down to a couple putts on the final day that didn’t go my way. Overall, it was a really good experience and it was a good time down there.”
Wilson had previously attended Nationals in Florida two years ago.
Wilson placed third in the Junior Boys MJT Saskatchewan Order of Merit Standings over the summer.
“I thought it got off to a good start, winning the first tournament on May long and then winning in North Battleford in June. After that it kind of slowed down a bit. Provincials, probably my biggest tournament of the year, I didn’t finish the way that I wanted to finish. I kind of got back up again at the Men’s Am, finishing in the top 25, which was my goal. It finished off pretty good with Nationals and then the Labour Day Tournament, winning the first flight, I lost out on the second hole of the Horse Race, but winning the first flight, I was pretty happy with that.”
“I think when I was doing good I was putting well and I was staying to my process,” he explained. “My mental coach, Kyle Macdonald and I would make a game plan every week. Whenever I executed it well, stick to one hole at a time and stick to the strategy. that’s when I won or shot good scores. When I wasn’t playing as good or missed a couple putts you lose you mojo on the course. When I was playing good I was sticking to my process, making the putts, and doing what I do the best.
Wilson also got to represent his country over seas when he travelled to Estonia to participate in the Junior Nordic Match Play event, which featured Estonia, Finland, and Sweden.
Wilson took a loss in the alternate shot match and he lost on hole 17 in his singles match
“It was a really good experience. I met a lot of kids over there and played against some really good competition, some kids that are going to Division I schools. It was nice to compete against them and judge my game with theirs.”
Wilson said he has been supported by a number of people in his golf career.
“I’ve been lucky to work with a lot of people over my life. Kyle Macdonald has obviously helped me with my mental game. Jeff Chambers is my swing coach and Jeff Grose is also been a guy that’s been there my whole life to help me out and give me tips.”
During the season Wilson is on the course five or six days a week. He said he has tried to spend his time more efficiently at the course.
“I’m kind of deciding about colleges and universities where I want to go and if I want to go down south. I will probably end up doing that so just deciding where I want to go,” he said of his future plans.
Wilson will be in his final season in the Junior Boys Division on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour this summer
“I want to make it to Nationals, the Canadian Junior Nationals. That will mean I have to finish top-three at Provincials. Another huge goal would be to makes the Men’s Am, which would be a top-10 finish at the Men’s Amateur. Obviously I want to pick up some MJT wins this year. My age group is going to be very tough this year with a lot of good players. I just want to compete with them and pick up some wins along the way.” #11-1081