THORNTON, Ont.—The road to the 2026 Canadian junior championships continues with the NextGen Ontario Championship set to kick off Wednesday, May 6 at Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club in Thornton, Ontario.
The 54-hole stroke play competition gets underway with a practice round on Wednesday, May 6, and championship rounds beginning on Thursday, May 7. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the top 47 Junior Boys and top 23 Junior Girls, including ties, for the final round which wraps up on Saturday, May 9.
The field is led by Team Canada NextGen member, Jager Pain of Woodbridge, Ont. Pain won the 2024 Ontario NextGen Championship at FireRock Golf Club in Komoka, Ont. In the girls division, 2025 NextGen Western champion Yeeun (Jenny) Kwon will compete this week. Kwon finished as runner-up last week at the NextGen Pacific Championship. Last season, Kwon had two additional runner-up finishes at the NextGen Prairie and Atlantic championships.
The top eight players in the Junior Boys division of the NextGen Ontario Championship will earn exemptions into the 2026 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, August 10-14, at Wascana Country Club in Regina, Saskatchewan. The top eight players (including ties) in the Junior Girls division of the NextGen Ontario Championship will earn exemptions into the 2026 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, August 10-14, at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (Heathlands Course) in Caledon, Ontario.
The top three players (including ties) per division in the 2026 NextGen Ontario Championship will earn exemptions into the 2026 Canadian U15 Championship, August 24-27, at Loyalist Country Club in Bath, Ontario, if age eligible.
“Tangle Creek’s championship layout is designed to test every part of your game. The course features rolling fairways framed by natural fescue, strategically placed bunkers, and undulating greens that demand precision and creativity,” said Richard Edmonds, GM, Managing Partner, Tangle Creek Golf Club. “Each hole offers a unique challenge, blending parkland and links-style elements to create a dynamic and memorable playing experience. With its balance of risk and reward, Tangle Creek rewards smart course management and confident shot-making—qualities that define great competitors.
“We take great pride in maintaining a facility that reflects the best of Canadian golf—where competitive spirit meets community and respect for the game. Over the coming days, we hope you enjoy not only the competition but also the camaraderie, the scenery, and the spirit of the sport that brings us all together,” added Edmonds.
To follow the live leaderboard of the NextGen Ontario Championship, click here.
About the NextGen Championships
The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2026 national junior championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.