Michael Crisologo Following In His Big Brother’s Footsteps

Richmond Resident Michael Crisologo Birdied The First Playoff Hole To Clinch The Junior Boys Division Of The Future Links, Driven By Acura Pacific Championship At Pitt Meadows GC - Image Credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

They are rather big footsteps to try and follow, but Michael Crisologo seems like he is up to the task. The 18-year-old Richmond resident earned the biggest win of his young golf career Sunday at the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship at Pitt Meadows Golf Club.

And the first person to congratulate him -- by emptying a bottle of water over his head -- was Michael’s big brother Chris.

Chris Crisologo has been one of Canada’s top amateur players the past few years. He had a stellar collegiate career at Simon Fraser University, won last summer’s B.C. Amateur Championship at Rivershore Golf Links in Kamloops and shone at the 2018 RBC Canadian Open where he finished tied for 45th as an amateur.

Michael, who is just finishing Grade 12 at Vancouver College, is determined to follow his brother. He is off to SFU this fall to play his collegiate golf and has clearly been inspired by his big brother. Both Michael and Chris play out of Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver.

Crisologo closed with a five-under par 66 Sunday (Pitt Meadows was set up as a par-71 for the junior boys) to finish the 54-event at five-under par. That left him in a tie with Laurent Desmarchais of Longueil, Que. Crisologo won the event with a birdie on the first playoff hole. “This is huge,” Crisologo said. “The competition was good, the course setup was really good as well. I can’t really describe it right now, but I am really happy.”

Crisologo beat a field of 87 players that included members of Canada’s national junior team. He called the win the biggest of his young golfing life. “It showed me that my game is not too bad,” he said. “It shows me I can compete with these guys.”

Crisologo had to make a great up-and-down par on the 18th hole to post his score of five-under. He was forced to punch out of the left trees after a wayward drive and then deposited his third shot to about five feet of the flag. He made the clutch putt for par.

image credit Bryan Outram/BC Golf

Playoff Competitors Laurent Desmarchais of Longueil, Que And Richmond, B.C.'s Michael Crisologo Shake Hands After Crisologo Sunk The Winning Putt

Descharmais, playing in the final group behind Crisologo, had a chance to win the tournament after he put his approach shot on 18 to about eight feet. He looked to have made the putt, but it lipped out. “I was walking it in,” said Desmarchais, a member of Canada’s national junior team. “I was sure it was in.”

On the playoff hole (the par 5 10th), Crisologo crushed his drive right down the middle. Descharmais also hit a long drive, but it went slightly right and he had some tree trouble. After Crisologo put his second shot on the front fringe, Descharmais had to punch his second shot into the fairway. His third shot ended up about 12 feet left of the hole.

Crisologo chipped his third shot to kick-in range and Descharmais’ birdie attempt slid by the right side of the hole. Crisologo tapped his ball in for the win. He credited his putter for the win. “Putting was a big key today as far as me shooting 66,” he said. “The first two days I really wasn’t putting too well. Today, the exact opposite. I wasn’t hitting it too well, but my putter bailed me out.”

No one was happier about his win than his brother. “He played a really good round of golf, ground it out near the end and it’s an exciting time for our family, for sure,” Chris said. “There were some amazing players out here and the field was bolstered with the Team Canada guys. It’s a big win for him.”

Jeevan Sihota, a 15-year-old from Victoria who is on Canada’s national junior team, tied for third with fellow national team member and reigning Canadian Junior Boys champion Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que. Both players finished at two-under par. “I gave it my best shot,” said Sihota, who closed with a two-under 69. “It just wasn’t good enough today. Michael and Laurent both played really well.”

Other British Columbians in the top 10 included B.C. Junior Boys champion Ilrian Zalli of Burnaby, who finished tied for sixth at two-over par, Jace Minni of Delta (eighth at three-over), Cole Wilson of Kelowna (ninth at five-over) and Luke Quanson of Coquitlam (T10 at six-over).

Click HERE for complete final scoring.