LOG IN
Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour
The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
May 20-21, 2006
Lacombe GC • Lacombe, AB
Playoff Decides Team Mates for Scotland
LACOMBE, AB — Scores from the first round in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s (MJT) tournament this past weekend at Lacombe Golf Club in Lacombe reflected the windy and cool conditions, with not many low scores to the observer but well managed ones under the circumstances. Round two of the event, which was to qualify two players aged 14 to 18 for Maple Leaf Team Canada to Scotland, played out in perfect conditions - warm and no wind, resulting in most players making up a lot of ground with improved scores.
Kyle Morrison, 19, of Red Deer, who plays out of River Bend Golf Club, fired 74-70 (144) to win low overall score and the Boys 17 and up division title by one stroke over runner-up Darren Hupfer, 17, of Edmonton (73-72=145). Morrison missed out on the team spot due to being 19 years of age. “The highlight for me was defeating such a talented field,” said Morrison. “I am disappointed I can’t go to Scotland but it’s a great feeling to win the tournament. My goals are to play well week in and week out and playing MJT events helps me with this and to get ready for the Amateur.”
Hupfer, a junior from Edmonton Petroleum Club, and a member of MJT Team Canada in the CAN-USA matches in Tempe, Arizona, last December, secured the first spot on MJT Team Canada that will compete in the Scotland Kingdom of Fife Team Matches, August 22-24.
Three strokes behind Hupfer was Andrew Funk, 17, also of Edmonton, who shot 75-73 (148) to place third in the Boys 17 and up division and tie for the second spot on the team with Travis Kemp, 16, in the Boys 14-16 division.
The drama unfolded when Travis Kemp, of Lethbridge, shot 72 in the howling wind on Saturday to get into position for Scotland. Kemp, of Lethbridge Golf Club, who has played on the MJT for the past four years, triple-bogeyed the 35th hole to shoot 76 (148 total score)– winning his division title but letting Funk back into contention for the team spot. Ultimately Funk beat Kemp on the first hole of a sudden death playoff to qualify for Scotland with Darren Hupfer.
“I proved to myself I can compete at a higher level,” said Kemp. “Breaking through to win an event was the highlight.” In this division, Jack Wesche, 16, of Calgary, placed second with scores of 74-78 (152), and third place went to Nicholas Morelli, 15, of Red Deer, who shot 83-73 (156).
The Boys 13 and under title was claimed once again by Evan Cowan, 13, of Coaldale, who is enjoying a sterling season on the MJT with three wins in as many starts under his belt. “I enjoyed playing better the second day,” said Cowan, who posted scores of 85-72 (157), “This builds my confidence; this is great competition.” Both Cowan and Wesche are leaving for the Future Collegiate World Tour National Championship in Florida this week, after having qualified through the MJT at an earlier tour stop.
Carson Kallis, 13, of Red Deer, came second in Boys 13 and under with scores of 85-80 (165), while Ryan O’Donnell, 13, of Lethbridge, took third place after shooting 85-89 (174).
Jen McLean, 18, of Devon, who plays out of Windermere Golf Club, reported that she enjoyed “playing with a wonderful lady for two days,” after beating her competitor, Alex Steffens, 16, of Chestermere, in the Girls division. McLean shot 83-84 (167) while Steffens posted scores of 90-89 (179).
The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Steffens, Evan Cowan, Will Parker, 16, of Edmonton, and Jimmy Cowan, 17, of Calgary. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were McLean, Derek Rucki, 12, of Chestermere, Rhys Tosczak, 14, of Calgary, and Peter Dushenski, 19, of Edmonton.
The MJT continues its Alberta schedule on June 29th and 30th with the MJT 1st Choice Savings Series at Picture Butte Golf Club in Picture Butte – a qualifier for the 5th International Junior Golf Team Invitational in Cuernavaca, Mexico, August 14-18. 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