With the Mackenzie Golf Tour coming to 麻豆精选, local golfer John Mlikotic may have a leg-up on the competition.
The upcoming tour tees off Thursday at Gallagher鈥檚 Canyon Golf Club, a course that Mlikotic has been working and playing at for over seven years.
鈥淚鈥檇 like to think I have a small advantage, it鈥檚 my home course, I鈥檝e played it a thousand times and I鈥檓 hoping to put together a good performance,鈥� 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 world鈥檚 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 it鈥檚 time to show it on the course.
鈥淚鈥檓 extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity, it鈥檚 my home course, and it鈥檚 a great place to start this year,鈥� he said.
鈥淚鈥檒l know when to be aggressive and when to lay back, and I鈥檓 going to use that to my advantage.鈥�
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 麻豆精选 golf courses, playing in tournaments throughout the Okanagan and Vancouver and spending the winters in the U.S. working on his game.
Though it鈥檚 hard work, it鈥檚 all been worth it.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot of travel and putting in hours to make sure I鈥檓 balanced with playing full-time.鈥�
鈥淚 feel ready, I want to get out there and prove I can play and that my game is ready,鈥� 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 won鈥檛 be a factor for the Immaculata High School graduate鈥攈e鈥檚 playing with home-court advantage.
鈥淭he comfort of playing at (this) course will help.鈥�
To report a typo, email:
newstips@kelownacapnews.com.
@麻豆精选CapNews
newstips@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
