One of the Pembina Valley's top young golfers is taking his game to the next level.

Spencer Norrie has committed to play golf for the University of Manitoba Bisons this fall.

"It's really exciting to stay around home," said Norrie who is finishing up his grade 12 year at Morden Collegiate. "The team is really strong and is full of a bunch of nice guys and it'll be a great experience."

The 17-year-old has been his high school golf teams Most Valuable Player and team captain from 2013 to 2017.

In addition to his many high school accomplishments, the Minnewasta Golf & Country Club member had a successful 2016 season.

Norrie tied for 10th at the Manitoba Men's Amateur Championship at his home course and finished 12th at the Provincial Junior Championship at Bel Acres.

In 2015, he was fourth at MJT PGA of Manitoba Junior Championship and ninth at the Provinical Junior Championship.

Sticking close to home and knowing and trusting Bisons coach Garth Goodbrandson were the deciding factors in Norrie's decision to join the U of M golf team.

"I've been watching Spencer for the past few years and the first thing I noticed right away is how much passion he has for the game," said Goodbrandson. "You can tell how much he loves to play the game. Spencer is just a great person. I really enjoy him and he is the kind of person we would like to have on our team. That's a very important thing we look for, what kind of person he is. He scores really high in that."

"The other thing I like about him is how much grit he shows on the golf course," added Goodbrandson. "Sometimes you get people who are thinking too much about making their swing look good. I know Spencer has a good swing, but he doesn't worry about how he does it, he just gets it done. I've always enjoyed watching him play that way. He doesn't give up and he's a grinder and a fighter right until the end."

This jump into a higher level of competition isn't something Norrie hasn't seen before as he won the Minnewasta Men's Open at the age of 15.

''There will be guys from all over the place, playing at their top level, so it'll be fun to play against those guys," said Norrie.