For as long as \u00c9tienne Papineau could remember, golf has been a big passion for his family. Today, as a member of Team Canada, Golf Canada\u2019s National Team Program, the talented 29-year-old has his sights set on pursuing this passion at the highest level.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy dad\u2019s side of the family are all golfers. My dad, Luc Papineau, competed in some high-level amateur events but never played professionally. He introduced me to golf around the age of four or five, and I\u2019ve enjoyed it ever since. It\u2019s become my biggest passion,\u201d said Papineau.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember following him when he was competing in tournaments; and when I was around nine or 10, I started competing in tournaments myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Growing up, young \u00c9tienne played soccer and did some ski racing as well, but in his early teenage years he decided to focus his efforts on his golf.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was 13 or 14, I was selected for \u00c9quipe Qu\u00e9bec, moved to Quebec City, and started to take golf more seriously,\u201d he recalled.<\/p>\n
While attending CEGEP\u2014Quebec\u2019s distinctive post-secondary education system that bridges high school and university\u2014in Quebec City, Papineau enjoyed breakthrough success as a junior golfer.<\/p>\n
At the age of 16, he won the 2013 Quebec Junior Boys Championship by 13 strokes. In 2014, Papineau was selected for Golf Canada\u2019s Junior Squad and repeated as Quebec Junior Boys Champion. Then, in the summer of 2015, the promising junior golfer continued his success by capturing the Quebec Men\u2019s Amateur Championship.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy game really started to take off in 2013, when I was attending CEGEP in Quebec City. I completed my CEGEP in English because I was considering playing college golf in the U.S. Over the next few years, I started thinking that maybe I could make a career out of golf.\u201d<\/p>\n
After completing his CEGEP, Papineau attended West Virginia University on a golf scholarship.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was lucky to go to West Virginia. I had the opportunity to play with some unreal golfers and to cross paths with some of the best golfers today,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember we won the Big 12 (conference) tournament, which was really amazing. And the coach was unbelievable.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
All was going smoothly until the summer of 2020, when the Division I golfer started to experience pain in his knee, which would require surgery later that year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI decided to have surgery on my knee in September 2020, and initially I was concerned about putting pressure on it; it took me about a year and a half to fully recover,\u201d he recalled.<\/p>\n
By the start of 2022, the West Virginia University grad was healthy and ready to take his game to the professional ranks.<\/p>\n
In January of 2022, Papineau had the round of a lifetime when he shot 59 at the Legacy Golf Club in Arizona. He would follow that up by earning a spot to the WM Phoenix Open via the tournament\u2019s Monday qualifier.<\/p>\n
Team Canada Men\u2019s Head Coach, Derek Ingram, recalls Papineau\u2019s impressive start as a professional.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember he Monday qualified for the Phoenix Open and just before that, he also shot a 59. He was working hard in that off-season with the other guys from the National Team and had some great results. He had some good mojo,\u201d said Ingram.<\/p>\n
In addition to the hard work Papineau put in during the off-season, Ingram speaks about the elements in his game and his personality that contributed to his successful start as a professional.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u00c9tienne is a very consistent ball striker. He\u2019s athletic and drives it straight and a bit longer than average. He hits a lot of greens in regulation and gives himself a lot of opportunities. He\u2019s a streaky putter. When he\u2019s on, he could have a lot of success and has a chance to win,\u201d Ingram noted.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a person, he\u2019s really thoughtful. He has a good energy about him, with a positive vibe and a good sense of humour. He has a quiet, confident approach to the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Papineau would go on to have a solid first year as a pro in 2022, the following year would be even better.<\/p>\n
In June of 2023, Papineau would capture his first pro win on the then-PGA TOUR Canada.<\/p>\n
His tournament score of 18-under was good for a five-stroke victory at the Royal Beach Victoria Open. The talented young Canadian would finish third in the Fortinet Cup Standings and secured Korn Ferry status for 2023-2024.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the biggest difference between my first and second years as a professional was my mindset. I started to believe in myself, and when you believe in yourself and are confident in your approach, you can accomplish anything,\u201d said Papineau.<\/p>\n
Coming off a difficult 2025 season, the 29-year-old Canadian is competing on the PGA TOUR Americas this season and found some great form recently. In June, he secured a tie for second at the Inter Rapidismo Golf Championship in Colombia and more recently Papineau earned a playoff victory at the Osprey Valley Open.<\/p>\n