Rising golf star Clara Ding, 14, earns spot on Team Canada for the World Junior Girls Golf Championship in St. Catharines this September.
Rising Star from White Rock
White Rock golfer Clara Ding, just 14 years old, has been named to the Team Canada junior roster for the upcoming World Junior Girls Golf Championship. Golf Canada announced the selection on Thursday, confirming Ding’s place among six athletes chosen to represent the country.
Global Stage Awaits
The championship will take place from September 15 to 20 at the St. Catharines Golf & Country Club in St. Catharines, Ontario. This marks Ding’s debut at the international junior showcase, where she will compete against top young golfers from 23 countries.
Season of Breakthroughs
Ding’s inclusion comes after a standout season with two significant victories: the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open, part of the She Plays Golf Championship Series, and the Women’s Orlando International Amateur Championship. Her strong performances secured her spot on Golf Canada’s NextGen Team, which forms the core of this year’s junior roster.
Building Canada’s Teams
Alongside Ding, teammates include Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont., Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont., Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C., Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta., and Kendria Wang of Vancouver. Team assignments will be finalized before the tournament begins, with coaching provided by Jeff MacDonald of Nova Scotia and Jennifer Ha of Alberta.
Why the Event Matters
Now in its 10th edition, the World Junior Girls Golf Championship is considered one of the most prestigious events in junior golf. A total of 24 teams will compete in both team and individual categories, with the individual champion earning a coveted exemption into the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open in Edmonton.
How the Tournament Will Unfold
Practice rounds are scheduled for September 15 and 16, with competition starting September 17. After four rounds of play, the championship will conclude with closing ceremonies on September 20. Canada will face strong competition from past champions including the Republic of Korea, Spain, Italy, and the United States.
This article is original and written specifically for Surreyspeak.com
