Rody takes Low Overall in MJT’s opening stop in Alberta at Carstairs GC
Carstairs, AB – (June 23, 2020) - After a long-anticipated wait, the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour launched its condensed 2020 Alberta circuit with a two-day event on June 21 and 22 in Carstairs. With new, revised procedures in place to maintain player health and safety, elite junior golfers competed in the MJT Alberta Season Opener at Carstairs Golf Community Golf Club.
The Low Overall Boys score and MJT Junior Boys title was captured by Calgary, AB-player Carson Rody. The 17-year old junior golfer carded a pair of 73s (146) to come from behind and claim a three-shot victory after being down by one after the first round. With a packed leaderboard, Rody commented, “I tried not to think about any of the other players that were in contention; I tried staying positive and grinded out every shot.”
Logan Graf, 16, of Sylvan Lake, AB, recorded his first 2020 win in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division shooting a pair of 74s (148) to win by a two-shot margin. Having a one-shot lead going into the final round, Graf survived late surges by Red Deer, AB-golfer Cole Bergheim, 16, and Calgary-golfer Nikko Sebjanic, 16, to close out the victory. “I wanted to play conservative golf and make lots of pars,” mentioned Graf, who made 14 pars in his opening round of play.
13-year old Jayden Brar, of Calgary, took the MJT Bantam Boys Division title after an impressive second day of scoring. Brar, who fired an opening round of 77 to sit in a three-way tie for second three shots behind the lead, climbed up the leaderboard with a final round of 71 (-1) to win by three shots (148). “I stuck to my gameplan,” remarked Brar after the event. “I hit solid shots and trusted my putter.”
The MJT Peewee Boys Division saw fantastic play from 12-year old Brady Durkin, of Sylvan Lake. Durkin fired scores of 78 and 76 (154) to win his division by a convincing 13 shots. “I was just trying to take things one shot at a time. I had a game plan and I did everything I could to stick to that game plan,” he said.
The MJT Girls 15-19 Division saw a tight leaderboard come together at the very end with 18-year old Stephanie Chelack, of Calgary, claiming the division title and Low Overall Girls score. Chelack was consistent in her scoring recording a pair of 78s (156), holding off second-round charges from 16-year old Brooke Brezovski, of St. Albert, AB and 16-year old Jenna Bruggeman, of Edmonton, AB. “There was definitely a strong field of players,” remarked Chelack. “It was very close, but I was able to focus on my game and the golf course.”
Jayla Kucy, 14, of Camrose, AB, won the MJT U15 Girls title with rounds of 79 and 81 (160). “I really focused on my putting,” said Kucy. “I played everything safe and let the putts fall.” Kucy, who recorded two wins in the two events she played in on the MJT last year, picked up right where she left off with another victory.
Full results of the event can be viewed here. The next stop on the Alberta circuit will be on July 1 and 2 in Lethbridge - the MJT Alberta Series presented by SAIT Trojans Athletics at Paradise Canyon Golf Resort.
About the MJT: The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour 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 supported by valued Premier, Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts close to 90 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 12U and multi-day events for competitive players aged 11-19. The program has annual awards, scholarships and incentives to help reward 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 the provincial, national, university and professional levels.