Drake Starr has had quite the month on the golf course.

Starr has gone from hitting his first hole-in-one on the Gladstone course, to representing his province in Halifax. He says playing for Team Manitoba at the North American Indigenous Games was unlike anything he'd experienced.

"It was pretty nice out there. It was a tough track that I played, but there were a lot of nice people. I made friendships that I'll probably have for a lifetime," Starr explains. "All-around, it was a great experience. Unfortunately, it had to come to a quick stop after my injury."

On the final day of the tournament, Starr had some trouble with his knee. The patellar tendon was starting to tear, so he had to bow out after nine holes during the last round.

"I'm not going to lie. I shed a couple of tears," says Starr. "I've only been golfing for three or four years, but taking the game as seriously as I do, and competing at that high of a level but needing to withdraw, brought some emotions to me."

While it wasn't the way he wanted things to end in Halifax, Starr knows this will be a good moment to reflect on in the long run.

"I think it'll actually be pretty beneficial. It'll get my name out there for university and college-level golf. I'd be happy to go on that track."

Being around so many like-minded people was a boost of motivation for Starr.

"I tend to keep to myself a little bit, but going out there and meeting new people was cool. My teammates Payne Wood, Adam Blair, Ashley Garland, Reghan Kirk, and Cole Link; I'm going to be pretty close with those guys for a while. We already have a trip planned for the end of the summer to go golf with them. That'll be pretty fun."

Starr was glad that the course in Halifax made him take a few shots that took him out of his comfort zone. The 17-year-old hopes he made his home of Sandy Bay First Nation proud.

Starr is now focused on winning the Westman Junior Golf Tour for the second consecutive year.

Related Stories