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The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
April 29-30, 2006
Paradise Canyon Golf Resort • Lethbridge, AB
Fox Shows Why He Is Canadian Junior Champion
LETHBRIDGE, AB — The Alberta season-opener on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) was held this past weekend at Paradise Canyon Golf Resort in Lethbridge, where a full field of junior golfers from Saskatchewan, B.C. and Alberta competed for spots to the FCWT National Championship in Florida, U.S.A.
The MJT tournament, sponsored by 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union, played out in weather that went from near perfect to terrible. Players enjoyed warm, sunny conditions during round one, but round two saw the temperature drop over 20 degrees, accompanied by freezing rain and fierce winds. Snow then fell, forcing shortening of the event to 27 holes.
Managing the conditions with panache was Mitchell Fox, reigning Canadian Junior Boys Champion, who shot 67-39 for a 106 total over 27 holes, winning the Boys 17 & up division by six strokes. “I had a good, solid first round – a great start to the season,” said Fox, 18, who plays out of Redwood Meadows Golf Club. “This win shows I’m playing well and gives me confidence for the year.” There was a four-way tie for second place with Darren Hupfer, 17, of Edmonton and Mayfair Golf Club, and St. Eugene Mission Golf Resort’s Dale Stypula, 17, of Cranbrook, B.C. both scoring 74-38 (112) while Sean Hovelkamp of St. Paul Golf Club and Casey Hiebert of Land-O-Lakes Golf Club in Coaldale each shot 72-40 (112).
A great opening round of 68 posted by Calgary’s Jack Wesche, 16, assured him a victory in the Boys 14-16 division after closing with a 39 on the front nine for a 107 total score. “The highlight for me was playing in the snow!” said Wesche, a junior member at Country Hills Golf Club, who will be able to enjoy better weather in Florida at the end of May after earning a spot into the FCWT National Championship at PGA National Golf Club in West Palm Beach. Wesche won by four strokes over runner-up Rhys Royer, 16, of Calgary and Earl Grey Golf Club, who shot 76-35 and was the only player to break par on day two in the tough conditions. Tied in third with total scores of 116 were Will Parker, 16, of Edmonton and Windermere Golf Club (78-38) and Taylor Smith from Swift Current, Saskatchewan who plays out of Elmwood GC who shot 77-39.
Evan Cowan, 13, of Land-O-Lakes Golf Club in Coaldale, posted scores of 73-41 (114) to win the Boys 13 and under division title and the Boys 13-15 spot to Florida. “I get to experience great competition and great courses playing the MJT,” said Cowan. “This is a good start of my season.” On day one, Carson Kallis, 13, of Red Deer Golf Club in Red Deer, took an 11 on the 11th hole, a Par 4, and still shot 75-41 (116) to finish in second place, testament to his fantastic recovery. Ryan Werre, 13, of Riverview Golf Club in Redcliff, shot 74-45 (119) to place third in the division.
Juanita Rico, 16, of Calgary, ran away with the Girls exemption to Florida and the division title after firing rounds of 75-43 (118). “I feel very excited about winning,” said the Cottonwood Golf Club junior, “and also about qualifying for the FCWT National Championship in the States!” Second spot amongst the girls went to Laeni Bendzik, 17, who plays out of Bearspaw Golf Club in Calgary (79-49=128), while third place was claimed by Kylie Barros, 14, an Edmonton Petroleum Golf Club junior in Edmonton (82-47=129).
The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Carson Kallis, J.D. Duffy, 16, of Calgary, Mac Walrath, 17, of Edmonton, and Kylie Barros. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were Dillon Batsel, 13, of Medicine Hat, Sean Jedrusiak, 14, of Calgary, Ryan Tofani, 18, of Red Deer, and Kylie Barros.
The MJT continues its Alberta schedule on May 6th and 7th with the MJT 1st Choice Savings Series at Land-O-Lakes Golf Club in Coaldale – a qualifier for the 54th International Junior Masters in East Aurora, New York, U.S.A. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.
About the MJT
As a not-for-profit association, the national Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) presented by Boston Pizza is Canada’s only major junior tour run exclusively by Canadian PGA Professionals. The program helps develop Canada's junior golfers, offering clinics, tournaments, international competitions and more. From free introductory clinics sponsored by Ford to the major CPGA Zone-sponsored junior championships, the MJT offers a quality experience for players. For more information please visit www.maplejt.com.
Contact:
Elaine Denton,
Marketing & PR, MJT
T: 604-943-1645
Email: edenton@maplejt.com