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The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
May 27-28, 2006
Winkler GC • Winkler, MB
Manitoba Junior Joins Maple Leaf Team Canada to Scotland
WINKLER, MB – The Manitoba season-opener on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s only national junior tour run exclusively by Golf Professionals, was held this past weekend at Winkler Golf Club in Winkler, where young players competed for a spot on Maple Leaf Team Canada to Scotland.
The two-day tournament, which was cut short to 18 holes after rain rendered the course unplayable, was to qualify one boy for the Canadian contingent in the Scotland Kingdom of Fife Team matches in St. Andrews, Scotland, August 22-24, 2006. The rest of the eight-player squad for 2006 is selected from other qualifiers across the country.
The course on Sunday was extremely wet and the day started out windy and cold. Matt Loewen, 17, of Winkler, grinded it out in the tough conditions to muster up a solid 73, taking the Boys 17 & up division title by two strokes to secure his spot on the team to Scotland. “This is huge – I have never won a tournament before,” said Loewen. “I just tried to keep warm; the key was my attitude as it was an up and down round on a very wet course.”
Tyler Friesen, 18, of Kane, placed second in the division after shooting 75. Third place went to Tristan Schneider, 17, of La Salle, who posted a 77.
Champion of the Boys 14-16 division was Riley Unger, 14, of Plum Coulee, and Pleasant Valley Golf Club, who posted a fine 71 for a four stroke victory. “The main reason for my win was that I hit a lot of greens,” stated Unger. “It feels really good to win the division title.” There was a four-way tie for second place in the division with a 75 score, between Burke Wiebe, 15, of Winnipeg, Kody Fawcett, 15, of Clandeboye, Austin Steinberger, 15, of East Selkirk, and Jeff Havixbeck, 15, of Winnipeg.
Scott Mazur, 13, of Winnipeg, a Transcona Golf Club junior, shot two solid nines of 35 and 38 for a
73 to capture the 13 and under category. “This means a lot to me because it is my first MJT win,” said Mazur, who beat runner-up Myles Sullivan, 13, of Portage la Prairie (76), by three strokes. Jay Mactavish, 13, of Winnipeg, took third place (82).
In the Girls division, Danielle McGurry, 16, of Winnipeg, claimed the winner’s trophy with a score of 95. “I’ve been out a few times to hit balls and putt and chip but other than that I haven’t been out much at all,” said McGurry. “The course was pretty wet but in okay condition, considering, so I just tried to keep focusing on the next shot. I have a little more confidence now.” Kayla Ketcheson, 15, of St. Andrews, and Jenna Roadley, 12, of Winnipeg, tied behind McGurry with scores of 110.
The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Myles Sullivan, Riley Unger, Reese Feder, 17, of Winnipeg, and Kayla Ketcheson. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were Scott Mazur, Kody Fawcett and Reese Feder.
“All competitors are to be commended on their great attitudes and toughness in the brutal weather,” said Golf Professional and MJT Tournament Director, Ed Boge. “The Winkler staff and Greg Hesom, Head Professional at Winkler, were a great help and did everything possible, especially with the course, to make this event a go.”
The MJT continues its Manitoba schedule on July 9-10 at St. Boniface Golf Club in Winnipeg – a qualifier for the CAN-USA Junior team matches at ASU Golf Course in Tempe, Arizona, this December. 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