Celebrating Team Canada in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

International Competition. Lasting Friendships. An Experience for a Lifetime.

The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) is proud to celebrate the players, families, coaches, partners and hosts who came together for the 2026 North America Cup, held August 23rd to 26th at the spectacular Vidanta Vallarta Golf Course in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

This tournament was an unforgettable opportunity to represent Canada on an international stage, experience a world-class golf destination, compete alongside leading junior golfers from across North America, and build friendships that will extend well beyond the final putts.

For our players, the journey began several days before their arrival in Mexico.

Team Canada’s Roster

This year’s Team Canada roster included Niko Tran, Grayson Stramaglia, Vivian Zhao, Milana Montenegrino, Hudson Kelahear, William Hercun, Caleb Dickson, Liam King, Brody Alexander, and Brock McKenzie. We were beyond proud to have players of such skill, dedication, and character representing our country.

Each member of the team brought passion, determination, and pride to the international stage. Their kindness and fellowship toward their fellow competitors from Team Mexico and Team Bermuda did not go unnoticed.

Their sportsmanship is a shining example of what junior golf is all about.

Thanking Our Partners

The CJGA would like to recognize and thank the partners who helped make the Team Canada experience possible.

PING provided the team’s beautiful Team Canada golf bags.

Levelwear outfitted the players in professional Team Canada uniforms.

Graeme R. Kirkland, CIM supplied the team with world-class golf balls for competition.

David Fritz Golf Academy provided coaching expertise during our team practice.

The Canadian Junior Golf Association sincerely appreciates these partners’ commitment to junior golf and the development of young Canadian athletes.

Thanking Our Families

No international junior golf experience can happen without the support of parents and families.

The CJGA offers immense thanks to the families of our golfers. You’ve made travel arrangements, stuck by us through long days on the course, done laundry for the players, helped with dinner reservations, and even acted as extra sets of eyes to ensure the trip went smoothly and safely. Thank you for everything you did to make the trip easier.

Your support allows these young athletes to play in international competitions, experience different cultures, and have the opportunity to represent their country. Those experiences are sure to stay with them long after the tournament has concluded.

The Team Canada Journey

August 19th and well before — Getting Ready for the Journey

The North America Cup experience began at home, with players and families preparing for international team travel. Passports, travel documents, money, personal items, snacks and other essentials were checked and confirmed as the team prepared for the journey ahead.

For many of the players, this was their first opportunity to experience what it means to travel and compete as part of an international national team.

August 20th — Team Canada Begins to Come Together

With players arriving in Toronto from across the country, the Team Canada group began to assemble. The first members of the team arrived in Toronto, setting the stage for the official Team Canada preparation day and the final preparations before departing for Mexico.

August 21st — TEAM CANADA MEET-UP

Friday was an important day for Team Canada. The players met at Bathurst Glen Golf Club for a Team Canada meet-and-greet, practice session, and final prep day before heading to Mexico.

This was more than simply a practice day. It was the first opportunity for the entire group to come together as a team. Players transferred their equipment into their official Team Canada golf bags and received their Team Canada uniforms and equipment.

Each player received a comprehensive Team Canada package that included custom team shirts, shorts, hats, monogrammed personal team backpacks, team golf bags from PING, a Team Canada towel, Titleist Pro V1s as provided by Graeme Kirkland, alignment sticks, team umbrellas, and a slew of additional equipment.

Uniforms were packed, golf equipment was prepared and the team’s luggage was transported to the hotel. The team then shared lunch before spending the afternoon practicing, preparing and participating in team discussions. By mid-afternoon, the golf bags were loaded for transportation and the players headed to the hotel to settle in. The evening provided one of the first memorable team-building moments of the trip.

Players enjoyed a Team Canada pizza dinner and swim at Coach Shayne Dysart’s home in Newmarket, giving everyone a chance to relax, laugh and get to know their teammates before the international competition began.

By 7:30 PM the players were back at the hotel, with lights out at 8:30 PM in preparation for the early start the following morning. The team was ready.

August 22nd — TEAM CANADA HEADS TO MEXICO

The alarm went off at 4:00 AM. Team Canada players were up, dressed in their Team Canada travel uniforms and ready for the journey south. At 4:30 AM, the team departed for Toronto Pearson International Airport. By 5:30 AM, the group was together at Terminal 3, preparing for the WestJet flight to Puerto Vallarta.

After months of preparation, selection and anticipation, the moment had finally arrived.

Team Canada was on its way to Mexico. Players and coaches travelled together, while Vivian Zhao made her way from Vancouver to join the team in Puerto Vallarta. Upon arrival, the Mexican Junior Golf Association (MJGA) provided transportation from the airport to the Vidanta Resort, welcoming Team Canada to Mexico.

The players settled into the resort, enjoyed their first evening team dinner together at La Catina restaurant and began preparing for the competition ahead.

August 23rd — WELCOME TO VIDANTA

The first full day in Mexico began with a 7:30 AM breakfast before the team headed to the golf course for the official practice round. Players took to the course in scheduled groups, getting their first extended look at the Vidanta Vallarta layout and preparing for the competitive days ahead.

The practice round was an important opportunity to learn the course, understand the conditions, and develop a strategy for the competition. Following the opening nine holes, the players refuelled with lunch before continuing their preparation.

A welcoming ceremony was held at the driving range to officially welcome the participating teams and celebrate the event’s international nature.

This was the moment that the trip truly became an international competition. The players were no longer simply junior golfers travelling to Mexico.

They were Team Canada.

August 24th — PREPARATION, COMPETITION & TEAMWORK

The first day of competition involved a two-player team Best Ball & Match Play.

The team started the day with breakfast before returning to the course. The arrival brought a special moment—the North America Cup Opening Ceremony. The competition began as the first day of the North America Cup got underway, and spectators, families, and friends were eager for play to start.

Delicious lunches provided a much-needed energy boost during the round of golf.

After the round, the players had time to relax and enjoy snacks by the pool before coming together again as a team. These moments away from the golf course became just as important as the golf itself.

Players were building friendships, sharing experiences, and developing the camaraderie that makes international team competition so special.

August 25th — THE COMPETITION INTENSIFIES

The second day of competition involved a two-player team Scramble & Match Play.

With the competition continuing and Mexico in the lead, Team Canada returned to the course for another important day of golf, needing to make up ground on Mexico.

Breakfast, preparation, and the scheduled round were followed by lunch and time together as a team.

The players continued to demonstrate the qualities expected of Team Canada—focus, perseverance, respect and sportsmanship. While everyone wanted to win, the team understood that the North America Cup was also about representing Canada the right way. The players supported one another throughout the day and continued to build relationships with their fellow competitors from the other participating nations.

After the day’s golf, the team enjoyed some downtime by the pool before preparing for the final day.

August 26th — FINAL DAY & CLOSING CEREMONY

The third day of competition involved individual Gross Play & Match Play.

The day of the final round began much like the others, with breakfast, preparation, and a return to the golf course. Of course, this day was more significant.

After several days of hard-fought competition, Canada had a final chance to catch up to Bermuda and Mexico in the North America Cup, but the odds were long, and the competition was fierce as the event drew closer to its conclusion. Team Canada players competed with pride and determination, giving everything they had through the final holes.

Following the completion of the day’s golf, players, coaches, and teams gathered at the Vidanta Pro Shop for the North America Cup Closing Ceremonies.

The ceremony marked the end of the official competition and celebrated the accomplishments of every player and team. At the conclusion of the event, Team Mexico emerged as the champions, with all participating teams demonstrating tremendous skill, energy and sportsmanship throughout the competition.

Regardless of the results, Team Canada left Mexico with the pride of representing their country and the memories they created together.

AUGUST 27th — THE JOURNEY HOME

After breakfast and the final morning at Vidanta, Team Canada departed for Puerto Vallarta International Airport. The return journey included connections through Calgary before the team arrived back in Toronto early Friday morning, August 28th. For most of the players, the North America Cup experience was officially complete. But for some, the Mexican adventure continued.

Niko Tran returned home with his parents after extending his Mexican golf experience by a few more days.

More than a Golf Tournament

The North America Cup is designed to give young golfers something traditional junior tournaments often can’t: a genuine international team experience.

Over the course of the journey, Team Canada players experienced team preparation in Canada, international travel, world-class golf, team competition, different cultures, opening and closing ceremonies, shared meals, team activities, friendships with players from other countries, and, of course, the responsibility of representing Canada.

These are experiences they won’t soon forget.

A World-Class Host Venue

The CJGA extends its sincere appreciation to the Mexican Junior Golf Association (MJGA) and the entire Vidanta Vallarta Resort team for their outstanding hospitality. The Greg Norman-designed golf course provided an exceptional stage for international junior competition, combining a challenging layout with Puerto Vallarta’s spectacular surroundings.

The Vidanta team went above and beyond throughout the week. From the condition of the golf course to the food and beverage service and overall hospitality, every detail contributed to an unforgettable experience for players, coaches and families.

The opportunity to compete in such a spectacular setting is one reason the North America Cup remains a unique international junior golf experience.

A MESSAGE FROM TEAM CANADA COACH SHAYNE DYSART, PGA OF CANADA

CJGA Director of Operations and Team Canada Coach Shayne Dysart reflected on the experience:

“I want to sincerely thank everyone who assisted in making this North America Cup such a success. The support we received from the families, volunteers, the Mexican Junior Golf Association and the Vidanta Resort was nothing short of outstanding. Events like this simply would not be possible without the generosity and dedication of so many people. Just as importantly, our new and growing friendships with Team Mexico and Team Bermuda remind us that while competition drives us, the bonds we build truly last. The North America Cup is a celebration of golf, respect and friendship, and I could not be more proud of what our players accomplished together.”

Looking Ahead to 2027

The success of the 2026 North America Cup continues to demonstrate the importance of international team competition in the development of young golfers.

Planning is already underway for the 2027 North America Cup, with discussions involving Bermuda and the Brazilian Golf Association as the event continues to expand its international footprint.

The 2027 event is expected to welcome teams from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the United States, Jamaica, Guatemala, South America, and potentially Brazil.

As more countries become involved, the North America Cup is developing into a truly international junior golf experience. For a young golfer, few experiences compare with putting on a national team uniform and representing your country. The North America Cup gives junior golfers the opportunity to compete internationally while developing confidence, independence, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

It provides the chance to travel, experience new cultures, play world-class golf, and form friendships with young athletes from around the world. Perhaps most importantly, it also creates memories. Memories of the first Team Canada meeting, the first time putting on the uniform, the early-morning flight, walking onto a world-class golf course, standing beside teammates during the opening ceremony, competing for your country, sharing meals and stories with players from other nations, and finally, standing together at the closing ceremony knowing you were part of something bigger than yourself.

YOUR COUNTRY. YOUR TEAM. YOUR OPPORTUNITY.

The 2026 North America Cup marked another important milestone in our effort to elevate Canada’s presence in international junior golf. Our next chapter is already being written. The only question is, could you be wearing the Team Canada uniform at the next North America Cup?

Join the journey; your future starts here.