Mott preps for back-to-back national events

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This article was published 08/08/2025 (272 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Spence Mott surprised himself and changed not only his summer, but possibly his future, with one great week.

The Brandonite started the Golf Manitoba junior boys’ championship a month ago red-hot and won the three-day event by six shots.

“I kind of just found my swing recently. It was going really bad until the junior,” Mott said.

“Honestly, I have no idea (what clicked). I didn’t really golf much before, just something clicked that week. I just played good.

“It felt good, but I was more so just happy I got into a few tournaments from it, more than the win.”

His 5-under par start through 11 holes led to a 1-under 71 on Day 1. Then, he matched Payne Wood with a stunning 68 in the second round to leave the rest of the field in the dust.

While both made triple-bogeys early in the final round, Mott rallied and salvaged a 75 to finish 2 under.

That earned him spots in the Canada junior boys’ championship, which runs Aug. 12-15 at New Brunswick’s Gowan Brae Golf and Country Club, and the Canada Games golf event Aug. 19-22 at the Bally Haly Golf and Country Club in St. John’s, N.L.

He’ll return to Manitoba for just 10 hours between events, as the Canada Games team members are required to travel together for Week 2 of the quadrennial multi-sport event.

After that, Mott has been invited to the Team Canada NextGen selection camp in mid-September. While that is preventing him from joining a college golf team this year, he sees the bigger picture.

“I’m kind of fine with it because there’s a bunch of (NCAA Division I) schools there, coaches, so it’ll give me more opportunity anyway,” Mott said.

The former AAA hockey player has been planning for a future in golf for years now. He showed early flashes of brilliance as a junior while also skating for the Brandon Wheat Kings under-15 AAA team in 2021-22, then the U17 AAA squad the following year.

However, he quit at the start of his Grade 11 year.

“During tryouts, going into the last cut for U18 (AAA), I kind of just didn’t really feel like I wanted to play anymore,” Mott said. “Instead of overthinking, I just said, ‘I’m not playing anymore,’ and got it over with. Honestly, it wasn’t that difficult.”

Mott spent the past two winters honing his golf game on simulators at Evo Golf Performance and Social Club, which opened in fall 2023.

While Mott was a member at Shilo Country Club for years, he started working and playing at Oak Island Resort this season. Since it hosted the 2023 Golf Manitoba men’s amateur, the Les Furber design has essentially stayed in championship condition, with firm, fast greens that challenge golfers more than any other Westman course.

The biggest difference for Mott approaching the junior championship, though, was his mental game.

“Definitely has not been my strong suit at all, it kind of is what kills my rounds usually, the mental part,” Mott admitted. “I just kept my expectations low all three rounds.

“I was oddly super relaxed, and everything just seemed to be working.”

He took a short break from golf after the men’s amateur, which ended on July 16, but is back and ready to tee it up in back-to-back national championships with one focus.

“Honestly, just try to keep the same mindset,” Mott said. “I feel like if I have the same mindset, the swing will never be a problem for me. If I keep a good headspace, I feel like I can do really good in all the tournaments.”

For the first time in a few years, Mott is part of a bigger team. While still playing his own ball, he’ll compete for and cheer on his province for a special week in the Maritimes.

He certainly isn’t taking the Canada Games opportunity for granted.

“I’m mostly just looking forward to being around with everyone as a team and meeting a bunch of new people,” Mott said.

“If there’s late-night stuff, I think we’re going to watch and try to support Manitoba.”

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