Dawson Lew holds the Earl Grey Cup after winning the Canadian Amateur Men’s Championship at Mickelson National Golf Club in Calgary on Thursday, July 30, 2026. Photo by TODD KOROL /Golf Canada

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The celebration was cool, calm and collected.

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Just like the young winner himself.

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Really, Dawson Lew — just 16 — simply flashed a smile after winning the 121st Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship and joining select national golf company, such as the likes of 2023 Canadian Open champion Nick Taylor.

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Big moment.

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Small reaction.

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Maybe that says as much about Lew as the scorecard did Thursday at Mickelson National Golf Club in Calgary.

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Because while the Toronto teenager had just won one of this country’s oldest and most important amateur golf championship, he did it with the kind of composure that makes people around the sport anoint him as a future star for Canada.

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Lew closed with a 3-under 69 to finish at 17-under par, three shots clear of Calgary’s Toby Buffam, who pushed him hard for much of the final round before settling for runner-up honours at 14-under.

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Lew’s four-round total of 70-65-67-69 — 271 — included one eagle and 20 birdies on the week.

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That is a serious championship card for anyone.

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But for a 16-year-old, it’s something oh-so special.

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“Yeah … it means a lot,” said Lew, allowing himself to show some excitement moments after signing off his victory. “I mean … having won the (Canadian) junior last year and then coming out here this year to win the Am, it’s just unreal.

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“I don’t go into tournaments with too many expectations, so … yeah … I don’t think I expected this, really. But I knew I was playing good golf, so I knew if I played well, I’d have a chance.”

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He did more than play well.

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He showed off the poise of a champion.

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Lew entered Thursday’s final round of four tied with Buffam, the 19-year-old Valley Ridge Golf Club product who had the benefit of sleeping in his own bed and playing in front of family and friends during a special week for Calgary golf.

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But Lew immediately put pressure on the hometown hope.

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He birdied the opening hole while Buffam made bogey, giving Lew a quick two-shot swing and an early grip on the championship. Buffam answered, though, and when Lew bogeyed No. 7 and Buffam made birdie, they were back level.

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Dawson Lew watches his shot during the final round of the Canadian Amateur Men’s Championship on Thursday. Photo by TODD KOROL /Golf Canada

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For a while, it felt like the final round might turn into a two-player match-play duel for the national stroke-play championship.

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Then the back nine came into play.

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Lew regained the lead on No. 9, and the two remained tight through 11 holes. But Buffam’s double-bogey on No. 12, followed by another bogey on No. 13, created the separation Lew needed. Lew also bogeyed the 13th, but he still walked to the final five holes with a three-shot lead.

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From there, he looked every bit like someone older than 16, throwing darts at the pin in the late stages of the pressure-filled performance.