UNITY - Former Unity resident, Justin Wood, continues to stay competitive on the links. Wood, who won the 2016 Sask. Men’s Amateur event still sets his sight on some more hardware in his competitive golf career.
Wood, who golfs out of the Riverside Golf Club in Saskatoon, tied for 10th at the Saskatchewan Mid-Am at the Elmwood Golf Club July 6-8 this year, splitting 10th spot with David Stewart from the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club. This earned him a spot at the Canadian Mid-Am taking place in Fort McMurray.
“I would just say that I'm really excited to compete. We have a really good crew of guys ready from Saskatchewan to have some good showings, so hopefully we go out and have some fun,” says Wood.
Wood will join 16 other players from Saskatchewan in the field, the most since 2017. The four-day, 72-hole championship has 122 players in the field and the winner will earn exemption into the 2022 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.
The Fort McMurray Golf Club is ranked one of the must play courses in Alberta by the Edmonton Sun, says the Golf Saskatchewan website national’s release.
Wood says, “It's a tough course, really have to hit it straight. Should be a good test!”
The top players and ties after round two will make the cut into the championship rounds. Wood, who is Unity’s claim to golf celebrity, will have a large fan base following his quest in this event. He has made multiple appearances at Saskatchewan and Canadian events in the past so experience is hoped to play a factor in this competition.
The Unity Golf Club has laid claim to Wood saying, “this is where it all started,” although UCHS takes some credit as he also competed with the Warrior sports program earning a bronze medal at provincials in his final year of high school. Pride and fandom will be part of Unity’s and Saskatchewan’s golf enthusiasts this week as they cheer on their fan favourite to succeed at another highlight event.
The Mid-Amateur event is for players 25 and up and is a great opportunity for players to find success and compete on a national stage. Practice rounds take place on Aug. 23 with event getting underway on Aug 24 and running to the 27th.
You can follow Wood's results on the Golf Canada website, Fort McMurray Mid-Am event.