MacKenzie's story

To say MacKenzie loved the game of golf would be an understatement. He was competitive by nature and was involved in a variety of competitive sports. These included baseball and hockey but where he excelled, was golf. MacKenzie began his golf journey at a very young age while attending his family’s annual McNally golf tournaments. He started out by becoming the mini putt champion, but quickly worked his way up to become the youngest family member to compete with the adults, and ended up winning in his first year.  He started competing competitively when he was in junior high school and became hooked.

MacKenzie’s golf game truly excelled once he hit high school.  He created a goal for himself to achieve a university scholarship to play the sport he loved, and there was nothing that could stop him. While attending Three Oaks Senior High, MacKenzie was the captain of the golf team for the 3 consecutive years he played. He also was honored with the  Most Valuable Player award every year. He was a true leader on and off the course. To achieve his goal of getting a scholarship, this meant many hours of practicing. MacKenzie would complete all homework that was due the next day at lunch time to ensure the most daylight time for practicing. When the sun would go down and he was no longer able to practice outside, he would then work on his mental game. He did this by watching videos on how to get the perfect swing, listening to a podcast on how to stay calm in moments of pressure, reading a book about his favourite golfer Tiger Woods or simply just speaking to people that he looked up to and respected.

MacKenzie was fortunate enough to be able to work at the sport he loved at the Summerside Golf Course, Rustico Golf Course and the Mill River Golf Course. MacKenzie worked in a variety of departments at the golf course including maintenance, carts, and the pro shop.  His favorite part of work was sharing his love of golf with other golfers.  Whether it was with the members, the juniors or his peers, he was always ready to talk golf. MacKenzie attained his goals and received a scholarship to play golf in the States, where he had an excellent career with Husson University. His dreams were finally coming true, but this didn’t mean that his hard work stopped. MacKenzie continued to spend countless hours at the course to prepare for his University career. He achieved multiple accomplishments all while maintaining his academics and making the Dean’s List every year. He then returned home to have a successful amateur career before turning professional.

He played a large role In junior clinics put on by the clubs, but really found his passion for teaching golf when he obtained his Professional Golf Association card in 2020.  MacKenzie’s ability to capture a young player’s attention was like no other; he could simplify anything to help anyone achieve their goals. He was never selfish and always wanted to see the other person be the best that they could be. MacKenzie also held multiple ladies clinics. His ability to create a fun non-judgemental environment for new golfers was a gift. 

MacKenzie’s journey was not always easy, but he never gave up. He was always looking for a way to improve his game or someone else’s and was always willing to go the extra mile to achieve that. It all paid off, MacKenzie’s legacy will live on forever through the many lives he’s touched both on and off the course. MacKenzie shot a 66 at Anderson Creek in his last round of the season.

The MacKenzie Clow Junior Golf Foundation would like to urge anyone who is struggling with their mental health to please talk to someone. The world will forever be a better place because MacKenzie Clow was in it.

Some of MacKenzie’s accomplishments are:

• NCAA National Golf Championship – 3 consecutive years

• NCAA All Academic/Athletic Award – 3 consecutive years

• NCAA Golf Tournament Winner Individual – 3

• NCAA Golf Tournament Winner Team – 17

• North Atlantic Conference (NCAA) Sportsmanship Award

• North Atlantic Conference (NCAA) Men’s All Conference Team – 3

• North East All Region Team NCAA

• NCAA Golf All American Ping Scholar Award

• Srixon Cleveland Golf Coaches Association of American All American Scholar

• Named to New England Golf Association All New England Team – 2

• Canadian Amateur Golf Championship

• Junior Canadian Amateur Golf Championship

• Atlantic Junior Canadian Amateur Golf Championship

• Mill River Open Champion

• Mill River Club Champion (2)

• PEI Open Champion

• Summerside Open Champion

• PEI Player of the Year (2018)

• Dean’s List

• Presidents List

• Team PEI Atlantic Canadian Championships

• National Junior Golf Development Center Team Leader