Kian Oelofse is off to an impressive start on the Niagara District Junior Golf Tour.
The Grade 11 student at Ridley College has won both tournaments he has played in, most recently Friday at Willodell. Oelofse and Will Burleigh tied with 74s after regulation play before the former won it with a birdie on the first playoff hole. It was his second straight win in a playoff.
Oelofse is not yet willing to assume the nickname Mr. Clutch.
“I played bad coming down the last three holes and I missed some big opportunities to go lower. I could have been under par if it wasn’t for a three putt and some poor putting and short game.”
His putter almost let him down again in the playoff. He had about a 12-foot fringe putt for eagle and left it short enough that he had an anxious final putt.
“I thought I sold it there and gave my opportunity away but it worked out.”
The 16-year-old member at Cherry Hill and Lookout Point started playing on the local junior tour when he was 11. He played in the under-19 division last year for the first time and didn’t win any events. He has changed that stat quickly in 2024.
“It’s my mentality. I got the season started with some good rounds and that boosted my confidence and upped my expectations and standards a little bit.”
He averaged 80-81 on the tour last year and was thrilled with anything in the high 70s.
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