the Royal Academy of Golf Acton Junior Invitation tournament in Acton, Ontario recently.

Playing at the 6,820-yard Blue Springs Golf Course, Garland fired a final round one-over-par 73 to come from four strokes back to take the title ahead of second round leader, Ontario native John Steiner.

Garland's final total of 218 was three strokes better than Steiner, who managed 221, while another Canadian, 16-year-old John Nash was third overall.

Nash won the 16-18 age group.

"I just took a while to get used to the very undulating greens,'' said Garland, set to enter his senior year at Columbus State University in Georgia.

"You really had to be consistent with hitting the ball and then concentrate on making good putts.'' A first day 75 put Garland in second place, however he dropped to fifth after ballooning to 79 during the second round as wind and rain made life difficult for the 80-member field.

Asked if he ever doubted whether he could pull it off Garland pronounced himself an eternal optimist.

"You always have to have the confidence that you can do something,'' he said.

"Plus the course favoured those who were long and I hit bigger than most.'' With the triumph came an invitation to the Tournament of Champions in Orlando just after Christmas.

Meanwhile, fellow Bermudian Steven Carruthers shot a final round 82 to end 26th overall.