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Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour
The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
July 16-18, 2007
Vernon, BC
First Time Winners Dominate MJT Sun Mountain Okanagan Junior Championship
VERNON, B.C. – A full field of junior golfers from Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and all over British Columbia competed on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour at Predator Ridge Golf Resort in Vernon, B.C., this past week, in the 54-hole Sun Mountain Okanagan Junior Championship. There was a cut after 36 holes to the top 40 and ties among the players, who endured 35 degree Celsius weather for two days followed by hard rain during the final round.
Jeff Wright, 19, of Mission, BC, blitzed the course with a four-under-par 68 on day one to gain a large lead in the Boys 17 and up division that he never let go. “I drained two long putts during the tournament for eagle, and it’s a huge relief to finally get my first win,” he said, after firing 68-74-81 to finish with a 223 total score and low overall for the field. Runner-up in his division was Luke Richardson, 17, of Kelowna, BC, who shot 78-80-75 (233). Third place went to Zed Dhalla, 17, of Garibaldi Highlands, BC (82-73-79=234).
There was a tight race in the Boys 14-16 division between Spencer Lightburn, 16, of Abbotsford, BC, and Henry Griffin, 15, of West Vancouver, BC, with Lightburn managing to edge Griffin by one stroke on day three. “I kept a level head throughout the three rounds and playing with Henry the last two days helped me play my best,” said Lightburn, who fired 73-74-78 (225). “My highlight was a tap-in eagle from about two inches on the 8th hole on Peregrine, and I feel proud, fulfilled to have won.” Griffin shot 73-74-79 (226). Three strokes back in third spot was Braden Chown, 16, of Nelson, BC, who posted scores of 77-74-78 for a 229 total.
Local Danny Todosychuk, 12, made a great first impression on the MJT with his win in the Boys 13 and under division, firing 74-80-75 (229) to beat Devon Swallow, 13, of Westbank, BC, by five strokes. “When I came into this tournament I wasn’t looking to place. My goal was to make the cut. The win was just a bonus,” said Todosychuk. “It makes me feel pretty good inside although I just came in this tournament for the experience.” Runner-up Swallow shot 73-77-84 (234) and third place finisher, Kieran Standen, 13, of Edmonton, AB, shot 76-84-84 (244).
The Girls division was won by Goeun Lee, 16, of Richmond, BC, who shot 76-84-81 (241) and cited the main reason for victory as the ‘good other golfers’. “This is the first tournament I have won on the MJT. It feels awesome!” she said. Manitoba’s Kayla Ketcheson, 16, of St. Andrews, and Emery Anne Bardock, 13, of Armstrong, BC, tied for second place at 276 total score.
The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Devon Swallow, Patrick McEachran, 15, of Squamish, BC, Stefan Schneider, 17, of Vernon, and Keanna Mason, 10, of Maple Ridge, BC. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were Lucas Gatto, 12, of Burnaby, Scott Robertson, 15, of Surrey, BC, Douglas Cheung, 17, of Richmond, and Keanna Mason.
The MJT continues its British Columbia schedule on July 23rd and 24th at Swan-e-set Bay Resort in Pitt Meadows, BC, followed by the MJT-PGA of British Columbia Junior Championship presented by Odlum Brown Limited at Northview Golf Club in Cloverdale, July 31st to August 2nd. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.
About the MJT
The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) is presented by Boston Pizza, and is 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 also provides 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