Chandler McDowell has a vision of himself attending a U.S. college on an athletic scholarship and then taking his golf game to the professional level.
“That’s my dream,” the 16-year-old Springbrook resident said this week.
McDowell has already been in contact with five schools south of the border and now, as a member of the 2016 Alberta junior team, he will get further exposure to the college scouts.
“It’s pretty cool,” said McDowell, in reference to his selection to the provincial junior squad last week.”Scouting-wise, colleges can get a lot more knowledge of you.
“And my development will get a boost. There’s a bunch of good staff (provincial coaches) with the team who know what they’re doing.”
The Alberta junior squad, consisting of 26 male and female players, will compete in tournaments within the province as well as Newfoundland, Quebec and British Columbia this year.
McDowell, who captured the 2014 Alberta bantam boys title and won a bronze medal at the Western Canada Summer Games last year in Fort McMurray, is confident he’s a better golfer today than two to three years ago.
“My development has come along over the past few years. My short game has helped me a lot,” said the 16-year-old Hunting Hills High School student.
“Of course, that’s a very important part of the game, but I think it’s also important to be consistent and long off the tee and I’m pretty good at that.”
McDowell routinely smacks his driver 300 yards, and yet he often leaves his biggest stick in the bag.
“A couple of years ago a 430-yard hole was long, but now it’s not too bad,” he said. “I don’t have to use driver as much any more and I can still use a short iron into the green.”
McDowell departed for Florida Thursday and will compete in a Golfweek Junior Tour event in Orlando this weekend.