2010 Can-Am Team Matches

Team Canada Claims 12th Annual Can-Am Junior Team Matches

On the second day of the Can-Am Junior Team Matches, the Canadian team earned 152 of 288 possible points to defeat the American squad 220-212 in the tightest contested Matches in the history of the event. Sunday’s format featured singles match play with the South Carolina junior golfers facing off against junior golfers from the Canadian Province of Ontario. Eighteen points were available per match one per each hole. In the event of a tie, each team gets of a point. The first day of the Can-Am Junior Team Matches, had the American team holding a narrow margin over the Canadian juniors 76 to 68 at Wachesaw Plantation Club in Murrells Inlet, SC. The young ladies led off the Matches Sunday and narrowed the first day lead of the American team with some solid play starting off the day. After the eight Matches had concluded, Canada had trimmed the lead to only one point in favor of the Americans. The next few Matches, contested by the boys were close and after 22 of 24 total Matches the entire event was All Square. The final two Matches featuring the top two young men from both South Carolina and Ontario was the difference. Brandon Ng (Toronto) in his third year of the event, was paired up against Thomas Bradshaw (Columbia), also in his third year, and took an early lead. Bradshaw showed poise and battled back but it was Ng who closed the Match at a four-up advantage. With the Americans now four down overall, Austin Cody (North Charleston), also on his third Can Am Team, was the last hope to pull out a victory. However, after falling behind by four points on the front, a late surge was too little too late and Albin Choi (Toronto) closed strong finishing four up as well thanks in large part to five birdie putts that were made from beyond 20 feet. Overall, the 2010 Can Am Junior Team Matches were a success in terms of growing the game and strengthening the relationship between neighboring countries, especially with the addition of the females this year. The Canadian team tallied a total of 220 points to America?s 212 to win the 12th annual edition of the Matches and pull to a 9-3 margin in the win-loss column in the twelve year history of the event. A special note that this event would not be possible without the continued support from Wachesaw Plantation and more specifically a group of its members who help fund this event, appropriately named the “Wachesaw Warriors.” Also, a special thanks to all of the host families that housed some of the players this year. The matches were contested over the 6,853 (boys) / 5,758 (girls) yard par 72 Wachesaw Plantation Club in Murrells Inlet, SC. Wachesaw Plantation has hosted the matches since 2002 and has agreed to host the event through 2013. The series stands at 9 – 3 in favor of the SC junior boys. The team from South Carolina is selected by using the HERITAGE CLASSIC FOUNDATION RANKINGS System from the previous December?s point standings. The top eight ranked players are invited.