Whistler golf phenom Stewart Walker walked away from the Chilliwack Golf Club with his sixth tournament win of the season at the Maple Leaf Junior Tour (MJT) BC Series Event on Aug. 30.
Coming off a win at the same course just a few weeks prior at a Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) tournament, as well as a win at the same event last season, Walker’s confidence was high for last weekend’s tournament.
“I just find the course suits my game, and I'm just comfortable playing it,” he said. “I know sort of what shots to hit and where to go and I’ve recovered really well. Just getting up and down and making saves is sort of something that comes to me almost easier at that course.”
But despite racking up the wins this year, this season has come with more challenges than Walker is used to in his young golf career.
On top of moving up to a new age category with stiffer competition, this year also comes with the added pressure of college recruitments. And when you add in an early-season shoulder injury, it makes Walker’s season all the more impressive.
“I feel as though most of [my competition] are really driven because it's sort of the year to get all your stuff in for university. So there's a bit more pressure just knowing that you have that hanging over your head,” he said. “But I think I've been playing really well. I had a bit of a shoulder and back injury and I unfortunately missed the BC Junior and Canadian Junior but I was playing strong before that. I got three wins before [the injury] and then I got a few more after, which really sort of helped boost the confidence after not being able to go for a month, especially when I have such a short golf season.”
Coming up to end the season, Walker will head up the road to Big Sky Golf Club in Pemberton this weekend for the Big Sky Amateur Tournament followed by his final CJGA tournament at Golden Eagle Golf Club in Pitt Meadows on Sept. 17 and 18.
Once the Winter hits, Walker will be focusing on his university decision, while keeping busy training at Nicklaus North’s indoor hitting facilities: The Cabin.
In December, Walker will head to Palm Springs for a tournament before heading to Florida around Christmas to play in the CJGA World Junior Challenge, then Scotland during March break for a couple more tournaments.
