Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 19-20, 2018
Estevan, SK

Dudas victorious in MJT Saskatchewan Season Opener

Estevan, SK. (May 21, 2018) – Jayden Dudas of Estevan, SK, fired a brilliant closing round of 68 to take home overall medalist honours as well as the MJT Juvenile Boys title in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s season opener in Saskatchewan at TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club in Estevan over the Victoria Day long weekend.

Players were competing in the MJT-Golf Saskatchewan Order of Merit Series presented by PLYR Golf for the Hoselton trophy in six divisions as well as for shortlisted age-specific exemptions into the IMG Academy Junior World Championships in San Diego, CA, this July. The MJT members shortlisted for these spots were Ella Kozak (Yorkton, SK), Autumn Neiszner (Regina, SK), Sarah Phipps (Victoria, BC), Keaton Cote (Kindersley, SK), Noah Fiks (Winnipeg, MB), and Jayden Dudas. Finalists will be announced once qualifying finishes across the country.

MJT Junior Boys 17-18: Griffin Wilson, 17, of Swift Current, SK, bounced back on the second day after trailing first round leaders by four shots. Wilson fired a brilliant round of 69 in round two, 11 shots better than his opening round to finish at 149. “I have come close a lot of times,” said Wilson. “It was nice to get the monkey off my back.” Runner up in the MJT Junior Boys division was Cole Obrigewitsch, 18, of Deer Valley, SK who won last week’s event in Manitoba at Portage Golf Club. Obrigewitsch finished with rounds of 76, 79 for a two-day total of 155.

MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16:  The MJT Juvenile Boys division proved to be a tightly contested division once again this weekend. The 16-year-old Nagy twins from Saskatoon, SK, were back in the mix, however it was 15 year-old hometown favourite Jayden Dudas, who fired an impressive second-round 68 (-4) to beat Cole and Josh Nagy by one and two shots respectively. Dudas’ two-day total of 144 was the low score for the entire event. Dudas credits his fine play to the hard work he put in during the off season.

MJT Bantam Boys 13-14: Noah Fiks, 14, of Winnipeg, MB was nearly flawless this weekend finishing at +2 with scores of 74 and 72 (146) to claim the MJT Bantam Boys title. Fiks said he was especially ‘proud to bounce back after a disappointing weekend in Portage.’ Runner-up honours went to Parker Layton, 14, of La Ronge, SK, who shot a two-day total of 153 (79, 74).

MJT Peewee Boys 10-12: In the MJT Peewee Boys division, Keaton Cote, 12, of Kindersley, SK took home first place prize with scores of 80, 80 (160). Cote, who trailed runner-up Darien Herlick, 12, of Weyburn, SK by two shots after round one stayed consistent and was able to win his first MJT event in four years of playing on the tour. “I finally got my first win on the MJT and it feels great!” said Cote. “It’s my fourth year and I’ll keep coming back.”

MJT U15 Girls: Ella Kozak, 12, of Yorkton, SK and Autumn Neiszner, 14, of Regina, SK, battled it out in the MJT U15 Girls division, where Kozak bested Neiszner over the two-day event after shooting 83, 91 for a total of 174. Kozak was very proud of her win and was especially excited about her birdie on the 15th hole.

MJT Girls 15-18: Sarah Phipps, 16, who flew all the way from Victoria, BC, shot 80, 81 (161), good enough for an 11 shot victory in the MJT Girls 15-18 division. Runner-up honours were shared by Carey McLean, 16, of Deer Valley, SK and Alexandra Schmidt, 17, of Regina, SK. Phipps, who is currently looking for places to play Collegiate golf, says she plays the MJT because it’s ‘a great opportunity to expose my game for schools in the future.’  

Overall event highlights are posted on the MJT website here, including names of the PLYR Long Drive, PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin and MJT Comeback Award winners, as well as the MJT Academy Program Standings. 

The next Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in Saskatchewan is the MJT Golf Saskatchewan Order of Merit Series at Lloydminster Golf and Country Club in Lloydminster, SK, June 2 and 3. This is followed by the MJT Golf Saskatchewan Order of Merit Series presented by Ilta Grain at North Battleford GC in North Battleford, June 16 and 17. Both events are major qualifiers for international events. For more information or to register, 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 presented nationally by Boston Pizza and supported by valued Premier, 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, the Collegiate Tour for 19-23 year olds, and multi-day events for competitive players aged 11 to 18, which are also qualifiers 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. For more information on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, please visit www.maplejt.com.

About PLYR Golf: Launched in 2015, PLYR Golf is a new and fun apparel and accessories brand. While they tend to target the trends of the younger demographic, PLYR is a lifestyle golf brand made for everyone. To keep up with the new products PLYR offers, please visit www.PLYRgolf.com.

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