Thorold teen Benjamin Hebert won big at the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) Humber College PGM Classic in Milton this past weekend, taking home the MJT Junior Boys and low overall boy’s titles.
With his 73-71 shot at the tournament, Hebert has earned an exemption into the IMG Junior World’s Florida Challenge in December. It's another win for Hebert who still dreams of becoming a pro golfer.
“The sky is the limit,” says Hebert, in an interview with ThoroldToday. “I got to keep on going, keep my options open.”
ThoroldToday first profiled Hebert back in 2019, when he was only 14 but already making his mark on the green. These days, Hebert spends his time driving from one golf tournament to the next.
“Golf season runs generally from spring to fall so we’ve been doing a lot of golf these last few weeks,” Hebert says. “I like to say it’s more of a marathon. You got to be on top of your game all the time. I definitely would say it’s cut throat, it’s also very tiring, but at the same time it’s very rewarding.”
When he’s not taking part in tournaments, Hebert spends his time as a part-time golf coach for the junior camps at Eagle Valley Golf Club.
“With the junior camps it’s always more about making sure that they know the basics of the game,” Hebert says. “I can just take what I’ve learned from my experience as a golfer and give that to them hopefully.”
The interest in golf came to Hebert at a very early age, after seeing the men in his family golf.
“They got me interested in it and I was hooked,” Hebert says.
“We love golf in the family but Ben has taken a competitive interest in it to a level that is exciting to see,” adds Hebert’s father Fraser.
Hebert credits his success on the golf course to his coach Travis Glass.
“He works at Eagle Valley where I also work so we spend time together talking about golf,” Hebert says. “He’s been a really good help over these last few years. I honestly couldn’t do it without him.”
There’s definitely pressure to do well, according to Hebert, but he works hard to keep a level head.
“It definitely can get tough at times,” Hebert says. “I’m just focusing on the mental side of the game just to make sure that it is less stressful. In those moments of contention or whenever I’m struggling I’m able to pull myself together and perform to the best of my abilities.”
At the end of the day, Hebert hopes to make his hometown proud.
“I’m just here to play good in tournaments,” says Hebert. “If I’m representing Thorold well, it’s obviously a bonus. I love to represent my hometown.”
One thing’s for certain: Hebert has got a bright future ahead of him.
“I’ve got one more year of high school so I’m keeping my options open,” says Hebert. “We’re talking to two AA coaches already. Hopefully I can get a scholarship.”
