Chandler McDowell saved his best for last this summer.
The Red Deer Golf and Country Club member avenged a playoff loss to Landon Stellingwerff in the 2013 Albert Golf Bantam Championship to win it all this year at the Wintergreen Golf and Country Club in Bragg Creek on Thursday.
McDowell, 14, shot a second round of 1-under-71 to finish at 1-under-143 and a three-shot victory over Max Murchison of Calgary and Kai Iguchi of Banff.
“It’s the last year I can play in it, so it was pretty special to win the bantam championships,” he said.
McDowell was tied for fourth after shooting an even-par 72 in the first round on Wednesday, but kept cool heading into the final 18 holes.
“I didn’t change too much,” he said. “Just keep the ball in play, try to get it on the green and two-putt for my par. Just keep it simple golf.”
This was the third tournament win for McDowell this year, also winning the Alberta Junior Masters at Wolf Creek in Ponoka on May 30, and the Canadian Junior Golf Association event at Coyote Creek on June 22.
He is preparing to head back for his second year at the International Junior Golf Academy at Hilton Head Island, S.C.
There he is receiving not only a scholastic education but also one in golf that will help prepare him for college and he hopes one day the pros.
He has already seen a huge improvement in his ball striking ability.
“I go to classes from 7:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. and then from about 1:30-5:30 p.m., we golf,” said McDowell adding his head instructor is Stephanie Shaw. “They’re very encouraging, but they want us to work hard though.”
Red Deer’s Carter Graf (15-over-159) finished ninth at the bantam championships, Sylvan Lake’s Jordan Cooke (31-over-175) finished 26th, and Lacombe’s Chase Broderson was 29th (35-over-179).
jaldrich@www.reddeeradvocate.com