Local student and golfer Sam Hamelin has signed a golf scholarship with, Lake Superior State University (LSSU), in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan.
“I am very excited to put this opportunity into action, but with excitement comes nerves,” said Hamelin. “Continuing to work hard in school is still a major priority as I make this dream come to life. I plan to study a four-year kinesiology program focusing on sport-fitness and rehab science.”
Currently playing out of Pheasantback Golf and Country Club, he can also be seen playing at Stettler Golf and Country Club where he holds dual membership. The 17-year-old Grade 12 student of Wm. E. Hay High School has played golf since he could swing a golf club at the age of four years old.
Having played hockey, soccer and various other sports, his love of golf has seen him excel in the sport. The past five years have seen him play on the McLennan Ross junior tour and the Maple Leaf junior tour. Starting out on the McLennan Ross tour, which is predominantly Alberta only. He has progressed to the Maple Leaf Junior Tour, which is Canada wide.
“The McLennan Ross tour is great for kids starting out learning the game with some competition,” said Hamelin.
Greater competition with many more venues and tournaments is what the Maple Leaf Junior Tour encompasses. Having played four years on the McLennan Ross tour, Sam has won 10 plus tournaments, and in 2015 he captured first in order of merit, first place standing in his age group. Moving on to the Maple Leaf tour, in 2017 he also captured the order of merit, first place for his age group in Alberta and fifth place nationally, also having a first place finish.
He was a member of the MJT international team, playing at Niagara Falls, Ontario, a player on the Alberta/Montana Ryder cup, played at Medicine Hat, AB, which the team took a first place finish. Sam also played in the 2016, 2017 MJT National Championships, which were played in Phoenix, Arizona and Orlando Florida, USA. Playing on the golf team of LSSU will bring with it much stiffer competition, team involvement, regular coaching and venues south to different states. Opportunity for greater exposure is very real. Recruityourself2college is the program offered by the Maple Leaf Junior Tour, to assist players in obtaining scholarship potential. Sending out profiles and resumes to colleges stateside is where these opportunities exist for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Sam sent out 10 resumes and got four replies. Having received offers, he chose LSSU after visiting the campus and meeting with team members and staff. Trent Matson is the director and coordinator of the MJT tour, and was instrumental in assisting Sam in his search and placement.
“I owe a lot of gratitude to Trent for how he has helped me. He does such a great job of running MJT.”
Sam appreciates the local golf courses for the use of their course and support, namely Ernie Sheriff and Colby Squires.
“Truly this opportunity would be no where near possible without constant help from these specific people, but more importantly from my family.”
- Contributed