Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 24-25, 2015
Winnipeg, MB

MJT-PGA of Manitoba Junior Champions crowned in field of 85 at Rossmere Country Club

Winnipeg, MB – (August 26, 2015) – A total of six divisional champions were crowned out of a packed field of 85 junior golfers at the MJT-PGA of Manitoba Junior Championship presented by National Bank Financial at Winnipeg’s Rossmere Country Club, after Canada’s number-one played junior golf tour held the season-ending two day tournament on August 24th and 25th .

Six-year MJT veteran, Josh Neufeld, 18, from Altona, MB, cruised to a nine stroke victory as MJT-PGA of Manitoba Junior Boys Champion with stellar rounds of 72-72 (144). “I relied on my putter lots these last two days and I feel good about having two steady, stress-free rounds of golf,” Neufeld said. “It’s possibly my last MJT event, and it’s the last of the year, so it’s fun to finish with a win. It’s always an accomplishment to be on top of a field like this.” Second place in the division went to 17-year-old Kyle Leiman of Victoria, BC, who shot 77-76 (153) to edge out Stefan Lavallee, 17, from Steinbach, MB, who came third with a score of 75-79 (154).

Marco Trstenjak of Winnipeg, won the third MJT-PGA of Manitoba Championship title of his career, his first in the MJT Juvenile Boys division. The 15-year-old found some intense competition over the two day tournament, with the top three finishers only three strokes apart. Trstenjak, who fired great rounds of 72-73 (145), said his tournament highlight was parring 18 to win, and that keeping the ball in play off the tee was key to his victory. “It feels awesome to win another event.” Fellow Winnipeger Ryan McMillan, 15, came second with solid scores of 75-71 (146). Third place went to 15-year-old Spencer Norrie of Morden, MB, who shot 71-76 (147).

14-year-old Josh Shuster from Winnipeg shot 82-79 (161) to win the MJT-PGA of Manitoba Bantam Boys Champion’s title by three strokes in his first MJT victory. “My mid-range putting and my consistent driving were key,” he said. “It feels great (to win). The course was in great shape and I always enjoy playing MJT’s - they are run in a great way.” Shuster was followed closely by Thomas Coldwell, 14, Winnipeg, and Nicholas Fernandes, 14, Winnipeg, who tied for second at 164 total score with rounds of 81-83 and 80-84 respectively.

It took a two-hole playoff to determine the MJT-PGA of Manitoba Peewee Boys division champion after three players from Winnipeg all tied for the lead at 160 total score. A 60-foot birdie putt handed the title to Braxton Kuntz, 11, who racked up his fourth MJT win this year after ousting both Bailey Bjornson and Carter Johnson in the playoff.

Veronica Vetesnik, 18, of Winnipeg, finished her junior career in style by taking home the MJT-PGA of Manitoba Junior Girls 15-19 Champion’s trophy after a great comeback round, going 85-74 (159) to win by three strokes in her second MJT win this season. “Today I was three under after the first four holes,” she said. “This is a fun, enjoyable tour, and this is a great way to finish my junior year.” Second place was taken by another MJT veteran, Brynn Todd, 17, Winnipeg, who shot 80-82 (162) over the two days, while third place went to Rebecca Kuik, 16, of Winnipeg, with a score of 86-81 (167).

Finally, the MJT-PGA of Manitoba U15 Girls Champion’s title was won by Kate Gregoire. The 14-year-old from Ste. Anne, MB, won her third MJT of the year after shooting 98-88 (186), and stated, “The main reason for my victory was just to come out and have fun.” 14-year-old Hayley Shanks from Brandon, MB, came in second place (97-100=197), while Mikyla Albert, 13, Selkirk, MB, came third with a score of 110-106 (216).

Divisional winners of the on-course competitions were as follows:

Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition Winners

U15 Girls: Hayley Shanks • Shilo Golf and Country Club • Brandon, MB
15-19 Girls: Veronica Vetesnik • reunion • Winnipeg, MB
Peewee Boys: Braxton Kuntz • Breezy Bend GC • Winnipeg, MB
Bantam Boys: Justin Normandeau • La Verendrye Golf Club • La Broquerie, MB
Juvenile Boys: Marco Trstenjak • Larter's at St. Andrews • Winnipeg, MB
Junior Boys: Nathan Powell • St.Boniface G.C. • Winnipeg, MB

Sligo Closest-to-the-Pin Competition Winners

U15 Girls: Brynne Paschinski • Shilo G&CC • Brandon, MB
15-19 Girls: Veronica Vetesnik • reunion • Winnipeg, MB
Peewee Boys: Braxton Kuntz • Breezy Bend GC • Winnipeg, MB
Bantam Boys: Noah Johnstone • Elmhurst GC • East St Paul, MB
Juvenile Boys: Marco Trstenjak • Larter's at St. Andrews • Winnipeg, MB
Junior Boys: Joel Baron • Sandhill's G&CC • Carberry, MB

Golf Town Comeback Award Winners

U15 Girls: Kate Gregoire • Ste Anne, MB
15-19 Girls: Veronica Vetesnik • reunion • Winnipeg, MB
Peewee Boys: Trent Crane • Winkler Golf Club • Winkler, MB
Bantam Boys: Evan Ruta • Breezy Bend Country Club • Winnipeg, MB
Juvenile Boys: Sylvain Ruest • Niakwa • Winnipeg, MB
Junior Boys: Andrew Klein • Niakwa • Winnipeg, MB

MJT members in the province have now earned valuable Cleveland Golf Order of Merit (OOM) points throughout the season and await invitations to the prestigious MJT Boston Pizza National Championship at Reunion Golf Resort, Kissimmee, FLA, November 6-8, where a number of Division 1 college coaches will be in attendance. 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 Ford of Canada, Mr. Lube, Cleveland Golf, Srixon, Gatorade and Tugo, in addition to valued Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts more than 70 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 PGA of Canada 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.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour
Elaine Denton, Director of Marketing and Administration
edenton@maplejt.com 1-877-859-GOLF