Mark Valliere of Courtenay posted the third best finish for the Canadian men at the South American Amateur Golf Championship, held Jan. 23-26 at the par 72 Rincon de Cajica Golf Club near Bogota, Colombia.
Valliere tied for 20th overall with a 314 gross on rounds of 88-79-71-76. The top Canadian male was Kevin Kwon who finished in a five-way tie for 12th at 306. Matt Scobie of Canada was part of a three-way tie for 18th at 312. Shinkwin Callum of England captured the overall men's title, with a score of +5, 293.
Canada’s Brooke Henderson captured the women's title. She led wire-to-wire, finishing at +11, 299. She carded rounds of 73-75-76-75 to become the first Canadian to earn the prestigious amateur golf title.
Six members of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Team Program competed in the eighth playing of the event. A total of 132 players from 19 countries took part.