Two young golfers from the Prairies claimed top honours at the 2026 NextGen Western Championship, held at Wolf Creek Golf Resort in Ponoka, Alberta, from June 3-6, 2026. Ryan Mosher of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Saylar May of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta each won their division against top junior talent from across the region, earning a spot at the national championships later this summer.
Mosher fired a final round 67 to finish at 4-under par 206, carding 11 birdies over three days to win the junior boys title. He started Saturday two strokes back, made three quick birdies to cut the deficit, then sealed the victory—his second NextGen Championship title—with a clutch par on the 18th hole. His previous win came at the 2024 NextGen Prairie Championship at Whitewater Golf Club in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
On the girls side, May shot an even-par 70 in the last round to secure an 8-over 218 total, carding seven birdies over three rounds, three strokes clear of runner-up Yeeun (Jenny) Kwon of Vancouver, B.C. She was two back entering the final day but pulled ahead with back-to-back birdies on the back nine. The win was her first on the NextGen circuit and adds to her string of Alberta junior titles at the U15, U17, and U19 levels.
In total, 154 players (115 boys and 39 girls) teed it up over 54 holes of stroke play at the Rod Whitman-designed layout, which has challenged pros and amateurs alike since 1984. The top eight finishers in both divisions earned exemptions into the 2026 Canadian Junior Championships presented by BDO, set for August 10-14. The boys event goes at Wascana Country Club in Regina, while the girls championship heads to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (Heathlands Course) in Caledon, Ontario.
The NextGen series spans six regional tournaments across Canada from May to July, giving developing players a taste of high-level competition. For Mosher and May, the Western Championship offered a direct path to the national stage and a chance to test themselves on a demanding course known for its deep pot bunkers and rolling prairie winds.
