West and Tunall’s seven birdies snag titles at MJT’s Tor Hill stop
Regina, SK – (July 8, 2020) - Continuing with new policies for player health and safety protocols, the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour held its second event of the 2020 Saskatchewan season in the province’s capital city of Regina, where junior golfers competed for titles in six divisions at the MJT- Golf Saskatchewan Order of Merit Series at Tor Hill Golf Club held on July 6 and 7.
The MJT Junior Boys Division witnessed 17-year old Theoren West, of Wawota, SK, fire an opening round of 73 with four birdies to take a four shot lead over the field. He continued that fine play on the second day making three more birdies to shoot 74 (147), winning the division by six shots and claiming the Low Overall Boys score of the event. “I stayed patient,” West commented. “I didn’t hit any crazy shots and attacked the pin when I could.”
A close finish took place in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division where only five shots separated the top five players. Emerging victorious after an impressive comeback on day two was Kindersley, SK-resident Cort Tunall. The 16-year old golfer fired a 76 on the first day to put himself five shots back of the lead. But Tunall turned up the heat, making five birdies and holing out for eagle on his last hole to finish with a 72 and 148 total score, good enough to take the title by a single shot. “I didn’t know where I sat in the middle of the round,” he said. “Closer to the end, I realized I was up there and It feels good to win.” 15-year old Luke Cote, of Regina, fired rounds of 73 and 76 (149) to come back and place second.
Max Regier, 14, of Saskatoon, SK, made a comeback to take the MJT Bantam Boys title. Regier fired a 79 to sit one shot back of the lead before taking it low on the second day, finishing his second round one-under par in his last five holes to win by three shots (79-73=152). “My putting was pretty strong,” he commented, attributing his win to the flatstick. “I’m proud of myself to win, but I know I can still play better.” After finishing runner-up at Elmwood Golf and Country Club in the first MJT event, this win at Tor Hill Golf Club was Regier first of the 2020 season.
Sarah Grieve, 17, of Saskatoon, continued her solid play on the MJT in this event picking up her second consecutive win of 2020 in the MJT Girls 15-19 Division. “I got lots of practice in on the course,” she said. “I just tried to play my own game and keep that the focus.” Grieve finished the event with scores of 75 and 78 (153) and will be looking to continue her strong performance in the upcoming Saskatchewan provincial championship.
Ella Kozak, 14, of Yorkton, SK, continued to dominate the top of the MJT Girls U15 leaderboard, recording scores of 86 and 81 (167) to win the division. “I was focused on hitting good shots and not as much on technique,” remarked Kozak after the event. “I stayed focused on my own game and I’m happy to win.”
The MJT Peewee Boys Division saw 12-year old Jack Maharaj return to the top of the podium with his second consecutive win of the 2020 MJT Saskatchewan season after the Saskatoon golfer carded rounds of 79 and 85 (164) to win by four shots. “I never gave up and tried my best,” commented Maharaj. “It got close at the end and I just stuck to my game plan.”
Full results of the event can be viewed here. The next junior tour stop in Saskatchewan will take place in Saskatoon on July 20 and 21, the MJT - PGA of Canada Saskatchewan Zone Junior Championship at Moon Lake Golf and Country Club. More information can be found online on the MJT website, www.maplejt.com.
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 which also offer qualifiers for international tournaments. 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.