Although he missed the cut, the 2024 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship was still a memorable experience for Prince Albert’s Danny Klughart.
The event was being hosted by both Saskatoon Golf & Country Club as well as Riverside Golf & Country Club. Klughart says it was special to be able to compete in his home province.
“It was an amazing opportunity, especially to be part of team Saskatchewan is something I was very proud of. Having the Canadian in Saskatoon close to home was a treat. The golf courses were both amazing. I just wish I could have played Riverside a couple more days.”
Both courses were playing at Par 72 for the championship. On Day 1, Klughart carded a two-under par round of 70 at Saskatoon Golf and Country Club before a four-over par round of 76 at Riverside led to him missing the cut.
Klughart says he was struggling to keep his shots in the fairway off the tee.
“The game has been feeling really good all summer, (I’ve) just kind of been struggling with the driver, which isn’t usual for me. Managed my way around the golf course pretty well day one and got hot with the putter halfway through the round, made a couple birdies. (I) just hit a couple of poor tee shots coming in and just ended up having to make some great par saves coming in and that was turned into the 70. I was happy with that.
“Tuesday at Riverside, same thing. (I) struggled with the driver off the tee. That golf course is a little more demanding with the tee shot so I just found myself in some tough spots in that rough. It was five inches long in sports so it was critical to hit the fairway and I was just struggling with that.”
Sixteen-year-old American Tyler Mawhinney ended up taking home the title with a four round score of 273, or 15-under par finishing one stroke ahead of defending champion Ashton McCulloch.
The top finishing Saskatchewan player was Saskatoon’s Alex Swinnerton who finished tied for 55th at five-over par.
Despite the disappointment of not making the cut, Klughart says playing in a championship the caliber of the Canadian Amateur provides invaluable experience.
“Anytime you can go to a national championship and play on golf courses that are tricked up like that with the long rough, the fast greens, that are longer, they’re just more demanding. They require various shots off the tee and into the greens. It just gives you a different perspective on golf. When you come back to your home course or go to a different course, it just makes it feel that much easier.”
Klughart won the Men’s Lobstick at Waskesiu earlier this year He will be back on the national stage later this month as he will compete in the Canadian Mid-Amateur Championship which is being held at Carleton Golf & Yacht Club in Manotick, Ontario starting on Aug. 20.
sports@paherald.sk.ca
