Riverdale, N.Y. — Rising junior Dimitri Mihelakos has qualified for the 119th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship set to be held from August 5-8 at Riverside Country Club and Saskatoon Golf and Country Club. Mihelakos counts himself among the top 264 amateurs in Canada to qualify for the competition.
“Playing in the Canadian Amateur is a great feeling,” Mihelakos said. “It’s the biggest tournament in the country and it is always an honor to be a part of it.”
Mihelakos’ path to qualification came through a Provincial Qualifier in Nova Scotia in which after 54 holes he was in contention for spot in the Canadian Amateur. During the ensuing playoff, he made a clutch birdie on his 55th hole of the tournament to solidify his spot in the field.
In April, Mihelakos wrapped up his spring season at Manhattan with a strong performance of 71 (-1) on Day One of the MAAC Championships. Last fall, he notched his best score of the season with a 70 in the first round of the Columbia Autumn Invitational held at Lake Placid Links Course.
“Dimitri has been working hard in the program understanding how to play the game to the best of his ability, what makes him tick, and how he plays his game to the best of his ability,” said Manhattan golf coach Keith Prokop. “He will be the first to tell you that he is happy with the progress but he knows that this is nowhere near the end result.”
Mihelakos is eyeing spots in the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championships as well as the 2025 RBC Canadian Open and the 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship if he finishes in first place at this year’s championship.
“Coach Prokop and I have reflected on the good and the bad reflecting on the tournament and hopefully heading into the Canadian Am it can all come together,” Mihelakos said.
The Halifax, Nova Scotia native will be the second Jasper to compete in the prestigious Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship in just the last three years after rising sophomore Walter Carley competed in the event in 2022.