听
Jackson Rothwell of Victoria won the 117th sa国际传媒 men鈥檚 amateur golf championship late Friday at Big Sky in Pemberton.
The unheralded 18-year-old St. Michaels University School graduate shot a clutch back nine to record a one-stroke victory over runner-up Isaac Lee of Pitt Meadows.
鈥淢y goal this year was to make the top 10, so this has exceeded my expectations for sure,鈥� Rothwell said.
鈥淚t is pretty amazing. Just a couple of years ago, I was struggling to just make the cut at a sa国际传媒 Juniors and now I am sa国际传媒 amateur champion.鈥�
Rothwell shot a one-under 71 Friday to finish the 72-hole championship at 10-under par.
By today鈥檚 standards, Rothwell could be described as a late bloomer. He served notice at last week鈥檚 sa国际传媒 Junior boys championship at Fairwinds in Nanoose Bay, where he finished third.
But no one 鈥� not even Rothwell 鈥� was picking him to win the provincial amateur.
Rothwell posted a 7-under 65 in the first round at Big Sky, which seemed to fill him with confidence.
Caddying for Rothwell was his father, Alex.
鈥淚t is awesome I get to share this with him,鈥� said Jackson Rothwell, who is headed to play NCAA golf at Babson College, near Boston. 鈥淗e was a pretty big help with emotional support, more than just shot selection. It is nice to have him there.鈥�
Rothwell and Lee will be part of the sa国际传媒 team for the Willingdon Cup at the Canadian men鈥檚 amateur championship from Aug. 5 to 8 in Hammonds Plains, N.S.
Josh Miller of Royal Colwood tied for seventh at 287, NCAA Pac-12 Utah Utes player Tristan Mandur of Mill Bay tied for 10th at 289 and Pac-12 Oregon State Beavers player Nolan Thoroughgood of Victoria tied for 19th at 293.
