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Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour
The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
June 28-29, 2007
Picture Butte, AB
Funk Goes Low Overall at Picture Butte
Gibson and Chong Join MJT Team Canada to Texas
PICTURE BUTTE, AB – The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) made a two-day stop at Picture Butte Golf Club in Picture Butte, AB, this Thursday and Friday, where junior golfers from all over the province posted very close scores in each of the four divisions. The tournament was part of the 1st Choice Savings Series on the MJT, and also offered up two spots for specific age divisions to the Texas Junior Masters at Colovista Golf Club in Bastrop, TX, this July.
Andrew Funk, 18, of Edmonton, blazed the field, getting his score to five-under-par on day two and finishing just one stroke ahead of first round leader, Jack Wesche, 17, of Calgary. Funk fired 74-67 (141) to win the Boys 17 and up division as well as low overall score for the tournament. “I made a plan and stuck to it – ‘hit every green’!” he said. “I had five birdies today; I knew I had won when my two foot putt lipped in.” Wesche followed up his fine opening round score of 69 with a 73 and finished second in the division. Craig Klassen, 17, also of Calgary, shot 71-75 (146) to place third.
In the Boys 14-16 division, Chris MacDonald, 16, of Calgary, and local Jordan Gibson, 15, of Picture Butte, tied for the lead at a total score of 151 after shooting 77-74 and 74-77 respectively. MacDonald took home the winner’s trophy – his first on the MJT - based on countback. “I never gave up. I kept firing at pins and it worked out,” he said. “I birdied three out of the last four holes coming in.” Runner-up Gibson takes home the spot on MJT Team Canada to Texas, however, as he falls into the specific age category of 13-15. Kevin Kang, 16, of Calgary, and Evan Cowan, 15, of Coaldale, tied for third place in the division at 152 total score, with rounds of 78-74 and 76-76 respectively. Cowan is already on the nine-player team to the Texas Junior Masters after winning a previous MJT qualifying tournament.
Anisha Chong, 16, of Lethbridge, played extremely well in her final preparation for the Alberta Junior Girls Championship this July and recorded scores of 77-76 (153) to win the Girls division. “The highlight for me was to play two solid rounds heading into the provincials,” said Chong, who now also qualifies for Texas and will be one of the three girl players on this team. Laura Jensen, 18, of Picture Butte, finished second among the Girls (87-82=169) while Justine Stevens, 14, of Calgary, placed third (87-85=172).
Riley Fleming, 13, of Airdrie, and Ian Mmbando, 12, of Lethbridge, tied for the lead in the Boys 13 and under division at 153 total score after both firing 76-77. Fleming made the best of his last event as a 13-year-old and secured the top trophy based on countback. “I wanted to win my last tournament in this division,” he said. “I hit the driver well, my putting was good.” Colin Williams, 13, of Calgary, placed third just two shots back, after scoring his best two tournament rounds ever (78-77=155).
The Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition winners in each division were Andrew Funk, Riley Fleming, Anisha Chong and Jamie Cartwright, 15, of Canmore. The Sundog Skills Competition divisional winners were Riley Fleming, Gage Murphy, 16, of Rosebud, Dylan Dalgas, 17, of Canmore, and Laura Jensen.
The Alberta schedule on the MJT continues July 23rd and 24th at Carstairs Golf Club in Carstairs, a qualifier for the Canada-International Friendship Cup at Beach Grove Golf Club in Delta, BC, this August. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.
About the MJT
Boston Pizza is the Presenting Sponsor of the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada's premier and only national junior golf tour run exclusively by Golf Professionals. The MJT is proud to play a role in developing young players, including several Canadian National Champions and many Future Links and Provincial Champions. The MJT is also focused on providing opportunities for young Canadians to learn how to golf and introduces players as young as four years old to the game via free instructional clinics. In addition, the MJT encourages young players to further their education with scholarship awards. For more information, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-GOLF. MJT - developing champions, in golf, in life.
Contact:
Elaine Denton,
Marketing & PR, MJT
T: 604-943-1645
Email: edenton@maplejt.com