One week from today, the Idylwylde Golf & Country Club will play host to many of the top young golfers from across the country - and a Laurentian Voyageurs' contingent that is largely slanted towards local content could not be more thrilled to be included in the field.

"It's going to be a lot of fun," noted 20 year-old Vinny Palladino, one of the quintet of five Sudbury golfers (and one out-of-towner) who will represent L.U. at the 2024 Canadian University/College Championship (presented by BDO).

"You would like to think the home course advantage is going to help, especially at a place like the Idylwylde," he added. "Well find out in the end."

Joining Palladino on the Laurentian men's team are brothers Alex and Ben Fowke, as well as Ethan Mulligan and Adam Mutuchky from Barrie, with Mackenzie Fowke competing individually in the women's event for the Voyageurs.

"I'm really excited to have a tournament at home," said Mackenzie Fowke, a 21 year-old multi-sport athlete who transitioned to golf at any kind of a serious level only once her days of competitive swimming with SLSC (Sudbury Laurentian Swim Club) came to an end as she neared graduation from high-school.

"I think it's going to be pretty special to golf with some amazing female golfers."

Though Fowke has no illusions of necessarily winning the women's event, her background in sport certainly puts her on a very level playing field when it comes to her mental approach to the game.

"I think the individual aspect of swimming definitely helps," she said. "It's easier for me to go out and not get too down on myself. You're going to have bad races and you kind of have to be able to bounce back and get in the next one."

"I think that helps me play hole to hole in golf."

On the men's side of things, Laurentian expectations are clearly more lofty.

"I would say that we want to be among the top teams and give ourselves a chance," suggested Alex Fowke, the 22 year-old who has played competitively at a post-secondary level in both Texas (Ranger College Rangers - JUCO) and in Washington (Seattle University Redhawks - NCAA).

"Individually, I am sure that we all have our own expectations that we put on ourselves but as a team, just come out and play with confidence the entire time."

Though an early June tournament is not normally ideal for the elite golfers in northern Ontario, there are reasons for optimism this year.

"We played a bit during the winter but did a lot of indoor work and training over the winter," said Fowke. "And we had an early start this spring so even though it's early, we still have a lot of reps in."

"We've been playing a lot of golf."

To a man, there's a sense of anticipation and readiness to the Laurentian lads.

"Every golfer is different," said Palladino. "Some people come out (of the winter) ready to go right away. A lot need to get the rust off - and I definitely have some rust kicking around. I need to put in a lot of preparation for it, but I will definitely be ready."

Part of that belief lies in the knowledge that the critical parts of his game seldom stray too far from home.

"I like to think I have a simple swing so a lot of it stays the same - but you have to get the feel back in the spring," said Palladino. "Whatever feels bad, you have to take more time to get the feel back."

"We've all had some great experiences," Alex Fowke summarized. "There's a lot of good players, especially in the OUA - but we have what it takes. Each individual has what it takes to be competitive."

The field of 150 or so young golfers will enjoy a practice round on Sunday with day one of the championships set for Monday and cutoff day* taking place after round three on Wednesday.

(*cutoffs will include the nine lowest men's teams and six lowest women's teams - or any team within 15 shots of the lead - as well as any other individual golfers within ten shots of the leader or any player who is still in the top ten)