With the Mackenzie Golf Tour coming to Kelowna, local golfer John Mlikotic may have a leg-up on the competition.
The upcoming tour tees off Thursday at Gallagherѻýs Canyon Golf Club, a course that Mlikotic has been working and playing at for over seven years.
ѻýIѻýd like to think I have a small advantage, itѻýs my home course, Iѻýve played it a thousand times and Iѻým hoping to put together a good performance,ѻý Mlikotic said.
The Mackenzie Tour is part of the PGA Tour Canada and invites professional players from all over the world to compete against the worldѻýs best and work towards a path to the PGA Tour.
Mlikotic has been at this tour before in 2016, but the former Simon Fraser University golfer knows his experience has come along way and itѻýs time to show it on the course.
ѻýIѻým extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity, itѻýs my home course, and itѻýs a great place to start this year,ѻý he said.
ѻýIѻýll know when to be aggressive and when to lay back, and Iѻým going to use that to my advantage.ѻý
In his third year as pro, qualifying for the big tours and playing with the longer-term pros has been a challenge, but Mlikotic takes no time off to improve his game.
Attending qualifier schools, working while playing at Kelowna golf courses, playing in tournaments throughout the Okanagan and Vancouver and spending the winters in the U.S. working on his game.
Though itѻýs hard work, itѻýs all been worth it.
ѻýItѻýs a lot of travel and putting in hours to make sure Iѻým balanced with playing full-time.ѻý
ѻýI feel ready, I want to get out there and prove I can play and that my game is ready,ѻý Mlikotic said.
With a solid performance at the upcoming tour, he can play his way into the second season of the Mackenzie Tour.
With upcoming stops in Lethbridge and Ontario, the tour gives Mlikotic all the chances he needs to continue perfecting his skills as a professional golfer.
Nerves wonѻýt be a factor for the Immaculata High School graduateѻýheѻýs playing with home-court advantage.
ѻýThe comfort of playing at (this) course will help.ѻý
To report a typo, email:
newstips@kelownacapnews.com.
newstips@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .