INNISFAIL — J.T. Kelly has only been playing golf for three years, but he’s obviously a quick learner.
Kelly fired a 71 Monday at the Innisfail Golf and Country Club to take the overall title at the Innisfail Junior Open, which is a stop on the McLennan Ross/Sun Junior Golf Tour.
“It’s a tough course, but a lot of fun,” said the 17-year-old, who plays out of Willow Park in Calgary.
“I’ve played here two or three times and this was the best. In fact I I usually get a little nervous in tournaments so today was a good round.”
The fact Kelly has only been playing competitive golf for less than three years plays a role in his handling tournament play. But his game has steadily improved.
“My handicap has consistently went down each year,” he said.
Kelly, who plays volleyball, basketball and football, got into golf to challenge his dad.
“He always played so I wanted to do something I could try to beat him at,” he said with a laugh. “Once I got into it I loved it and kept working at it.”
His goal is to get into the police force, but wouldn’t mind getting a golf or volleyball scholarship along the way.
“I do want to keep my grades up and I also know I’ll continue playing golf as that’s something you can always do.”
Kelly qualified for the McLennan Ross tour final, Aug. 29 at Wolf Creek.
“That’s something I was hoping to do as Wolf Creek is another challenging course, like this one,” he said.
The fact his strength is the short game paid dividends Monday.
“This is a little shorter course and you don’t have to use your driver that much, so the fact my wedge play is strong came into effect today and helped a lot.”
Mathew Chemago of Blackhawk in Spruce Grove was second overall and in the 17-19 year-old group with a 73 with Carter Little of Willow Park at 77.
Matt Codd of Red Deer and Jeremy Rietze of Lacombe were tied for first in the 15-16 year-old division and for third overall. Kolby Vold of Wolf Creek shot a 76 in the 15-16 year-old category with Kaleb Denham of Innisfail and Carter Lewis of Priddis Greens at 77.
Theo Olver of There Hills and Lorne Baile of Ponoka had an 87.
The boys’ 14-and-under title went to Andrew Kartusch of Red Deer with an 82.
Chandler McDowell of Red Deer came in at 84, Logan Hill of Red Deer 86, Jaxon Lynn of Sylvan Lake and Alex Smith of Calgary Pinebrook 87, Grant Numrich of Red Deer 88 and Jordy Quinn of Red Deer 90.
Cara Vanderham of Innisfail shot an outstanding 75 to win the girls’ title with Courtney Dickson of Innisfail at 92 and Clare McMahon of Red Deer 95.
The 75 was Vanderham’s top tournament score.
“I had a 75 here once last year, but not in a tournament,” she said.
It’s been an up and down year for the 18-year-old Vanderham, who tied for 18th in the Alberta Ladies Amateur with a 72-hole total of 327, which included a 79 on the final day.
“But I also had a mishap at the provincials juniors,” she said.
“We woke up at the wrong time and was late for my tee time and was DQed. That sucked, but I played well at the Amateur.”
Vanderham, who graduated this year, is in her final junior year and is looking forward to playing full time with the women.
“I really like playing the ladies’ tournaments as you’re up against the women and they push you to get better.”
Vanderham doesn’t have any scholarship offers, but that’s fine with her, for now.
“I would like to take some time of an travel,” she said.
“I don’t want to be rushed into making a decision on what I want to take in school or accepting a scholarship. I’ll use this winter to loosk at my options and take it from there.”
The McLennan Ross Tour continues today at Olds.
l Michael and Allan Pruss find themselves in the middle of the pack following the opening day of the 72-hole Canadian Junior Mizuno National Golf championship in Waterloo, Ont.
Michael shot an six-over 77 and is tied for 33rd in the 15-19 year-old division, seven strokes back of the leaders, while Allan had an 82 and is tied for 50th.
l Red Deer’s Kyle Morrison came up short in his effort to qualify for the Canadian Men’s Amateur.
Morrison shot a five-over par 76 during the qualifier in Winnipeg, which left him three strokes out of a qualifying position.
l A pair of Central Albertans are tied for fourth following the opening day of the 36-hole PGA of Alberta’s Golf Supply House Assistant’s Championship at Stony Plain Monday.
Scott Anderson of River Bend Golf Course and Jamie Gerlitz of Lacombe Golf and Country Club came in at 71, five strokes back of Mike Belbin of the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton.
Tyler Brouilette of Innisfail had a 75, Shaun Luopa of the Red Deer Golf and Country Club a 77, Roy Hide of the RDGCC an 83 and Tye Friesen of Lacombe an 85.
drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com