Qualicum Beach’s Mack Sanderson is the son of Rod Sanderson and Corleen McKinnon, who both grew up in Virden. His grandparents are Virden residents Glen and Karen McKinnon and Doug and Jean Sanderson. The 16-year-old spends part of his summers in the community with his grandparents and is a member at the Virden Wellview Golf Club.
During his time in Manitoba this past summer, Sanderson finished second for the second straight year in the junior category at the prestigious Tamarack golf tournament.
As well, he also succeeded this past summer on B.C. courses. Sanderson won silver in the team event at the B.C. Summer Games. He was tied for 10th at the B.C. Juvenile (U17) championships and tied for 25th at the province’s Junior (U19) tournament.
On the BCGA Zone VI North Junior Summer Tour, Sanderson had three second place finishes and one third, as of the end of August. What allowed him to score so well this past summer?
“A lot of practice definitely went into it,” Sanderson said. “I was probably at the course every day. That just allowed me to be confident with my game and to be able to produce week to week.”
When asked about the strengths of his game, Sanderson said:
“I’m very accurate off the tee for the most part. My short game is pretty good. I’m not much of a long ball hitter, but I tend to get it done around the greens a bit better.”
When he is in Manitoba, Sanderson tries to play in a couple tournaments. Clear Lake Golf Course’s Tamarack is definitely a favourite with its format pitting golfers against each other head-to-head.
“What I love about that tournament is the match play,” Sanderson said. “That course is always super nice, always in great condition. Match play is a different animal for sure. I like it a lot. You’re able to experiment a bit more on the course. There’s a little a bit of room to play with whereas in stroke play you can’t really make those big mistakes.”
Although golf is usually an individual game, Sanderson said he was most pleased with his B.C. Summer Games success due to the team aspect. The multi-sport event was held in Prince George.
“The format was really cool to be able to play with the team,” he said. “That was really fun and the environment of being there. Staying in the school and eating with all the other athletes was really cool.”
While Sanderson splits his summer between B.C. and Manitoba, he said of spending time in Virden, “It is great just to go back and hang out with my family and play that golf course.”
Sanderson said playing the nine-hole Wellview course is:
“Super fun. It definitely helps my game. It is always windy there. You can play in those challenging conditions. It is a short course so it’s really easy to practice the wedge shots and the shorter shots. It’s good for everything.”
With family and connections in the province, he tries to play various other western Manitoba courses including the Miniota Golf Club, Oak Island Golf Resort, and in Brandon.
