Bentley Hoogerdyk fired 70-69 to finish three-under, claiming men’s crown by 13 shots
On Sunday he lifted a Club Championship trophy, and on Tuesday he started Grade 7.
Bentley Hoogerdyk, age 12, etched his name into Bear Mountain golf history this past weekend, storming to victory at the Bear Mountain Club Championship in Langford.
The golfing prodigy fired rounds of 70 and 69 for a three-under-par total, cruising to a commanding 13-shot win over runner-up Tzari Baines.
On the women’s side, 15-year-old Zaya Baines captured the club championship title.
For Hoogerdyk, the achievement came as a surprise even to himself.
“It’s cool to think about because I didn’t really have any expectations coming into the tournament, as I’m just 12,” Hoogerdyk told Goldstream News Gazette.
His rounds, however, showed composure well beyond his age, with steady play on both the Mountain and Valley courses.
The victory is the latest highlight in a career already packed with accomplishments.
Hoogerdyk has racked up more than 20 tournament wins, including this year’s MJT Harry White Little Masters at Kings Links by the Sea.
He has also competed several times at the US Kids World Championships at Pinehurst, a stage he first qualified for at age six.
Golf has been part of Hoogerdyk’s life for as long as he can remember.
“Since I could stand, I had plastic clubs around the house,” he said with a laugh. “I’d hit wiffle balls over my dogs.”
His father, Tyler, recalled those early days vividly.
“He was probably four or five, and he’d just whip wiffle balls around the house until he broke all the plastic clubs. We finally got him a proper set when he was strong enough to lift them,” he said.
Tyler noted that a turning point came when Bentley watched the Netflix documentary The Short Game, which follows seven-year-olds competing at Pinehurst.
“From there on, it was kind of green light. That’s all he wanted to do,” Tyler said.
The family has travelled to North Carolina nearly every year since for the world championships, making it both a competition and a vacation tradition.
Guided by his longtime coach Eric Wang, Hoogerdyk has continued to sharpen his game. He currently trains at Bear Mountain, where he has been a member for the past two years after spending time at Victoria Golf Club while living in Oak Bay.
His dominance in the open division of the club championship, where most competitors were adults, left many impressed.
“A lot of them, after, said they were embarrassed,” Bentley said with a grin.
Still, he carried himself with humility, grateful just to compete.
Looking ahead, Hoogerdyk dreams of playing college golf one day, and maybe even the PGA Tour. For now, he is focused on enjoying the game and the opportunities it brings.
“It’s really cool,” he said. “I get to reconnect with friends from all over the world at tournaments. Golf has given me a lot already.”
