Practice Makes Perfect for Julien Goulet

By Jenna Wasserman
jenna.wasserman@cjga.com
With the CJGA season starting to gather steam, St. Roch de L’Achigan resident Julien Goulet is already off to a fast start.  After collecting two CJGA division titles, Goulet is separating himself from the pack in what he hopes is a breakout year.

Although only 15, Goulet is no stranger to the sport as he has been playing the game since the age of 6 and because of his initial interest in playing golf, he was registered at the Golf Academy Morency at St-Francis Golf Club in Laval, Que. at the age of 7.  Goulet spent three summers at a golf intensive camp playing, practicing and improving his game on a daily basis.  “It was a great summer school,” admits Goulet. 

With a number of CJGA victories already under his belt, this former CJGA Team Canada member will be looking to continue with the fast start he has had to the season.  Having already won both tournaments he has participated in, his most notable performance took place at the Ontario season opener at Peninsula Lakes Golf Club in Fenwick, Ont. in late April as he finished with a two-day total of 148 (+6) despite very difficult scoring conditions. “I’m happy because I started off with a ball in the water on the first hole and I still turned out okay,” he admits.

This winner’s circle is not new to Goulet as his first victory came at the young age of 11 when he won his flight at the Quebec Provincial Championship. By the age of fifteen, Goulet had been a member of CJGA Team Canada for the Euro Junior Golf Cup in Scotland, Mizuno North America Cup in Toronto and the Junior Worlds that took place in San Diego last summer.

Goulet credits his past wins to patience, his ability to stay calm and most importantly, practice.  Goulet is able to maximize his practice time as he currently attends George Vanier Sports School.  His training routine is comprised of bi-daily practices from November to March in an indoor area.  Once the season starts to turn, every afternoon is spent golfing and training. 

“I like practice.  I want to practice every day, all strokes, all shots,” says Goulet. 

This mentality is what helped him achieve the third highest merit point standing last year at school.  Although little time remains after all the long hours Goulet dedicates to golf, he still manages to do well in school, placing his education as a priority.

Goulet is currently a member at Versant Golf Club in Terrebonne, Que. where he practices under the tutelage of CPGA Professional, Martin Morency.   With a long season ahead, he will focus on making strides with his short game in hopes of reaching his 2007 goals of winning the school merit points title and qualifying for the Canadian Junior Championship.
 
Like many other aspiring junior golfers, Goulet looks up to Tiger Woods as a role model and has set his sights on teeing it up alongside the world’s best down the road.