By the time the middle of July rolls around, most Shawnigan students will be about as far away from school as they can get. Some will take on summer jobs or volunteer opportunities.  Others will hit the gym or attend summer camps. Many will stay close to home, relaxing with friends and savouring those precious moments of fleeting teenage freedom.

For Tristan M, the summer will be spent on the golf course, practicing his swing, perfecting his rhythm, and competing in the Junior World Championships.

It doesn't sound like too bad a gig, actually. Golf courses are beautiful, serene places, after all. Tristan's home course, Arbutus Ridge, is renowned as one of the best on Vancouver Island, and lies just ten minutes from Shawnigan. Tristan raves about the course, but also insists that it's perfect for his development. "It teaches you how to play golf and hit it in the right spots" he says. "If you can play well on that course, you can play well anywhere else."

Tristan is under no illusions, though. Being a professional golfer one day, even reaching the college level, would be a terrific achievement and a ton of fun. It won't come easily though - and he seems well aware of the steps needed to reach the next levels.

To advance in golf, like any sport, requires hard work and relentless practice. You need good coaching, good health, and good luck. But it also requires a calm, relaxed demeanor, which Tristan has in spades.

"He is an absolutely fearless competitor" states David Hyde-Lay, Shawnigan's Golf Program Coordinator. "Give him a narrow fairway, howling wind, hazards all over the place, and he grabs a driver and lets it rip."

Of course, part of being calm and relaxed in competition comes from confidence in one's abilities. When a shot has been practiced ad nauseum, it can be re-created at will when the stakes are highest. Tristan claimed his spot at Junior Worlds by going five-under-par in the final four holes at a Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour event in April. "He went birdie, birdie, birdie, eagle to win by one" Mr Hyde-Lay says, his eyes widening as he recalls some of Tristan's brazen plays.

The annual Junior World Championships, run by IMG Academies, runs July 14-17 at the legendary Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California. "It'll be the highlight of the year, for sure" Tristan grins.

Naturally, any event that carries the title 'world championships' is going to be a big deal for anyone taking part. For Tristan, however, it's another stepping stone, and a chance to measure himself against the best golfers in his age group. Moreover, it's a chance for key exposure as he heads into his grade 11 year looking to lock down an NCAA scholarship. "A lot of university scouts are coming up to watch" he says, "so it'll be a great opportunity."

A product of nearby Mill Bay, Tristan began playing golf at three or four years of age, introduced to the game by a father who had been a golf pro himself. "He's always motivated me to practice" Tristan says. "I'm pretty lucky to have someone who I can live with that can talk to me about golf." In fact, Tibor Mandur has been known to caddy for his son in tournament play, like he did when Tristan won the men's amateur at Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Course last year.

Of course, life at Shawnigan is about so much more than pitches and putts. Tristan also loves basketball and plays on the School team in the winter. He enjoys math and hopes to study business at university - "somewhere on the West Coast" - if his plans come together.

And while he remains focused on his individual aspirations, Tristan also relishes playing on the School golf team. In early June, he led Shawnigan to the Provincial 'AA' Championship, hosted at what Mr Hyde-Lay referred to as the "nightmarishly difficult" Predator Ridge Resort in Vernon. Played in miserable weather, Tristan shot masterly rounds of 73 and 72 to win the Boys individual competition for the second time. "Golf is an individual sport" he smiles, "but playing as a high school team in Provincials is awesome."

Unassuming and mature beyond his years, Tristan wears the unmistakable allure of promise and avidity. He is excited for the summer and excited for the future, and brings new excitement and range to athletics at Shawnigan.

– Jon Zacks