After a second place finish at 2012 Saskatchewan Gold Provincials, Kade Johnson knew that going into the 2013 tournament held at Hillcrest Golf Course in Moose Jaw he would have a serious chance at earning a provincial title.
"After finishing second the year before I felt I had a really good chance to compete for the tournament title if a few more shots went my way (compared to 2012)," says Yorkton's Johnson who has been competing in tournaments across Canada and the United States over the past two years working on his game and developing as an up and coming golf talent in the province at the U-15 division.
Johnson had played at Hillcrest this season prior to the three round provincial tournament, shooting an early season mark of 79-85 by Johnson's account, something that he thought he could build on going into the tournament. "I had the benefit of shooting a couple of rounds at a prior tournament this season and even though I didn't shoot the greatest I felt that having a feel and knowledge for the course would give me an edge over the competition," says Johnson.
That knowledge of the course and confidence after finishing second place the year before seemed to pay huge dividends as during the opening two rounds Johnson showed why he is one of the best young golfers in the province rattling off a 74 in Round One before hitting a sparkling even 70 in Round Two to head into the final day with the lead over the field.
Sadly a provincial title was not in the cards for the young Johnson as Noah Kozak came out strong at the final day at Hillcrest and Johnson's 79 was just not enough to seal first place and hold off the streaking Kozak who had his day in the final round.
Still proud of a second place finish, Johnson felt that his final round simply fell on the usual downfall of most rounds of golf, lady luck. "I felt that my shots were on point like the other two days, but I just couldn't get any bounces or breaks on the course," says Johnson. "Kozak played a great round which didn't help, but I felt that I shot the same as I did the other two days in the final round, but it just wasn't going my way."
Now a two time runner up at the provincial level who has golfed all over North America improving his game, Johnson is showing signs of an emerging top level golf talent in the city. With ample time left before the golf's seasons end and the provincial final over, Johnson plans to continue to get on the course and work on the game that he loves.
Johnson will head out to tournaments in Saskatoon and in Manitoba over the coming months before starting the school golfing season where he is Sacred Heart High School's top golfer.
