Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 21-22, 2013
Calgary, AB

Murphy, Williams, Slipp and Grosart finish MJT Alberta season with division titles

Calgary, AB – (August 23, 2013) – The final 2013 stop in Alberta on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, the MJT Nationwide Series presented by Goose Golf, played out on Bearspaw Country Club in Calgary on August 21st and 22nd.   MJT Tournament Director and PGA Professional, Trent Matson, rated the facility as ‘incredible’, and commented, “The golf course is a very good test, fair but difficult. It was good preparation for the players who are looking to get ready for the Alberta Junior Boys Championship to be held at Bearspaw next year - they can see where their games are and start to build for 2014.” 

Patrick Murphy, 16, of Crossfield, AB, shot 76-68 (144) and made an 18 foot birdie on the first playoff hole to defeat local Bearspaw Country Club member Will Gretton, 16, of Calgary, (73-71=144) to claim the Low Overall and Juvenile Boys 15-16 Champion. “This was super exciting to win in a playoff in front of people you know,” said Murphy, “as there was a little more pressure than normal.” Finishing in third place was Andrew Brown, 16, of Calgary, who carded (74-74=148).

Carter Grosart, 17, of Calgary, shot 77-73 (150) to win his second MJT event in a row and claim the Junior Boys 17-19 Division on the demanding Bearspaw Country Club course. Grosart, who has played well all year, said this of his round, “I made a lot of pars on the back nine although I was struggling coming in.  I knew it was close, but I limped in and it was good enough today.”  Finishing one shot back in the runner-up position was MJT veteran Nolan Broeke, 19, of Calgary, who shot solid rounds of 77-74 (151) while first round leader Kolby Vold, 17, of Ponoka, AB, shot 74-78 (152) and rounded out the top three.

Among the Girls, Ella Williams, 17, of Calgary, shot 71 even-par on the first day to lead the field, and followed it up with 75 on day two to shoot 146 and win her division title. Williams, who is leaving for university immediately following the tournament, was ‘hoping to keep her confidence up as she heads into the university season’ She also commented, “I am trying not to have the up and down rounds, and play more consistently, stay positive.”  Finishing in second place was Gina Kowalchuk, 17, of Lethbridge, AB, who shot 84-80 (164) while Kimberly Risulmi, 19, of Lloydminster, SK, placed third with scores of 87-84 (171).

14-year old Cole Slipp of Calgary claimed the MJT Bantam Boys 14 and under division title after shooting incredible rounds of 76-75 (151).  Slipp, a local Bearspaw product, “played safe and was not too aggressive with any shots today.  I just was trying to have fun out there.  I am very excited as this is my first win in golf, I have only been playing for about two years.”  Finishing in second place was Jamie Rome, 14, of Calgary, who carded solid rounds of 89-75 (164) while Eric Chantler, 14, of Fort McMurray, AB,  finished third with rounds of 86-81 (167).

Divisional winners of the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Kimberly Risulmi, Liam Wallace of Calgary, AB, Brendan MacDougall of Calgary, and Patrick Gobran of Edmonton, AB. Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners were Gina Kowalchuk, Joshua Estepa of Calgary, Scott Walker of Calgary, and Doug Whitten of Medicine Hat, AB. Golf Town Comeback Awards for best second round improvement went to Kowalchuk, William Bell of Calgary, Zach Vinnell of Calgary, and Zac Sparks of Cochrane, AB.

Results for the full field in the MJT Nationwide Series presented by Goose Golf at Bearspaw Country Club can be found online at  http://maplejt.com/tour.php?id=2013019&p=results.

MJT members have earned valuable Cleveland Golf Order of Merit points throughout the season and now await invitations to gain entry into the prestigious MJT Boston Pizza National Championship at The Reunion Resort in Orlando, Florida, on November 8th-10th, 2013, where Annika Sorenstam, LPGA Legend, will host a clinic for the fortunate participants. For more information, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.

About the MJT: The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour presented by Boston Pizza is Canada’s number-one played Junior Golf Tour as well as the only national junior tour run exclusively by PGA of Canada Professionals and the ‘Road to College Golf’ in Canada. The organization is generously supported by Boston Pizza and Premier Partners Cleveland Golf, Srixon, Ford, Mr. Lube, Golf Town and Travel Underwriters, in addition to valued Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts more than 60 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7-12 year olds, and multi-day events for competitive players which also qualify juniors for international competitions. The program offers annual awards, scholarships, and frequent player incentives to help reward player's performance and participation throughout each season. MJT alumni include many Professional Tour players and Canadian PGA Professionals, as well as Canadian Amateur, National and Provincial Junior Champions. The MJT aims to develop champions, in golf and in life, promoting the game from grassroots through to provincial, national, university and professional level.

About Goose Golf: Goose Golf, a proudly Canadian company, is the manufacturer of innovative golf accessories.  Embracing the motto 'Do what you love and love what you do' we're focused on producing unique and high quality products.  Our first offering, the Goose Towel and the complimentary Putting Make, brings a unique style and functionality to the golf towel market.  We're excited to be helping supporting and promote junior golf in Canada through the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour.  More information about Goose Golf and our products can be found at - http://www.goosegolf.ca

MEDIA CONTACT: Elaine Denton, MJT edenton@maplejt.com 1-877-859-GOLF  www.maplejt.com.