Lacombe golfer set to represent Canada in Abu Dhabi

Lacombe golfer Brady McKinlay is representing Team Canada this week at the World Amateur Team Championship in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

The 22-year-old who finished tied for 5^th at this summer’s Canadian Men’s Amateur and 3^rd at the Alberta Men’s Amateur is in a rather unique situation going into the event as he is back at Utah Valley University finishing up his business management degree. But he’s not on the golf team as he ran out of eligibility. He’s been a student assistant coach on the golf team, practising and playing a few amateur events in the area to stay sharp.

The chance to represent Canada at the World Amateur event was an opportunity he didn’t even know he had a chance at. That all changed after a conversation with Team Canada head coach Derek Ingram as McKinlay was looking for advice on his future of staying amateur or turning pro.

“I just wanted to get his input. He’s seen a lot of guys go through the same stages I am, so I wanted to know what he thought about what I was planning. In our conversation he had mentioned the World Am and that it was a possibility. I had heard of the tournament before, but it had never gone through my head that I would make it. When he said that, then I started thinking it was a possibility and it ended up I got the spot.”