Oakden runs away with Tamarack junior medal

WASAGAMING — Hunter Oakden’s stellar season keeps getting better.

The Brandonite posted the only bogey-free round of all Tamarack golf tournament solo-event qualifying on Monday, a 4-under 68 to claim junior medallist honours.

While he’s seven strokes clear of second place, it truly seemed like he had a much lower number in him if he wanted it.

“Just get into the matches,” Oakden said of his mindset.

“I just wanted to ease into it at the start. I didn’t hit a driver until my 13th hole, hit driver on 4 and 5 but back nine I didn’t hit more than a four-iron off the tee, kept it in play and tried to hit some wedges close.”

The 15-year-old knows the formula works, considering he won the Tamarack title a year ago, defeating Jaxon Jacobson in the final.

Since then, he has lived in the winner’s circle. His run continued with an 8-under 64 to win the high school provincial title at Oak Island last fall.

Oakden kicked off 2026 with a Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour victory at Kildonan Park in May.

But his biggest one was last month, when he shot 72, 73 and 74 at Pine Ridge Golf Club, then eagled the first playoff hole to win the Golf Manitoba junior boys’ crown.

Oakden had a disappointing performance at the Canadian junior boys championship, shooting 81 and 77 to miss the cut by 10 at Regina’s Wascana Country Club.

“Longer course and a lot of mental mistakes out there. Missed some putts, missed greens I should have hit,” Oakden said.

Monday was much different. Oakden birdied the 11th hole, then stuck his tee shot close on the par-3 17th for another. He added birdies on the easier first and fifth holes to cruise “stress-free” to the No. 1 seed.

“This week, it’s a week to have fun with my buddies and it makes the week a lot better,” Oakden said. “I’m sitting alone in a hotel in Regina, not a lot of buddies there, feels like earlier bedtimes. But (Sunday) I was out with friends, came here this morning and had a fun day with Jaxon, Brayden and Jewel.”

The entire group qualified for the championship flight, as Jacobson posted 75, Hamm shot 76 and Lafleche carded 78.

Oakden faces Brody Pomeroy (79) in the first round, while Jacobson takes on Cash McCallum (79) and Hamm faces Lafleche.

Connor O’Greysik (76) plays Soren Milne (79) in the other quarterfinal on Wednesday.

DANE, NYLEN TAKE SCRAMBLE MEDAL

Karla Dane and Cindy Nylen posted an even-par 74 to finish atop the ladies scramble field, two strokes clear of Tia Coulter and Alexa Hutsal, and Dorelle Fulton and Kandis Matthews.

Dane and Nylen face Nadine Falk and Rhonda Ritchie (81) in the first round on Wednesday.

The other quarterfinals include Coulter and Hutsal against Andrea Guthrie and Cheryl Bartel (81), Fulton and Matthews against Janice Meadows and Lynda Lowry (80), and Lana Dubois and Jen Thiessen (77) against Jody Bieber and Jayne Troop (80).

» tfriesen@brandonsun.com