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Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour
The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
May 17-18, 2008
Regina, SK
Gibson grabs spot to China in play-off at MJT-CPGA of Saskatchewan Junior Championship
DEER VALLEY, SK: Known for being one of the most challenging courses in Saskatchewan, the Deer Valley Golf and Estates layout was made even more difficult for the young golfers in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s (MJT) season opener in Saskatchewan this long weekend with relentless winds of up to 70km/h. MJT Tournament Director and CPGA Head Professional, Jeff Chambers, estimated that par would be at plus 10 in the conditions weathered during the two day MJT-CPGA Saskatchewan Junior Championship, which featured players from all over the province as well as from Manitoba competing for a spot to the China Junior Open.
Jesse Gibson, 16, of Saskatoon, claimed the spot on MJT Team Canada to China by winning low overall honours and the MJT-CPGA Saskatchewan Boys 14-16 Champion’s trophy after an exciting two-hole play-off with hot contender Jordan Arndt, 15, of Furdale. “We both made birdies on (the first hole) and then I won with a par. Jordan played great though! The course was playing so hard,” said Gibson, who shot 75-79 (154). Arndt shot 81-73 (154). Third place in the division went to Scott Pinder, 16, of Saskatoon, who posted rounds of 82-79 (161).
A play-off between Nathan Corrin, 11, of Moose Jaw, and Liam Courtney, 13, of Saskatoon, also decided the winner of the Boys 13 and under division, after they both tied at 189 total score. Courtney clinched victory on the second play-off hole. “The highlight for me was just being able to come out and play and have a lot of fun, and then winning,” said Courtney. “It means a lot. I have come second before but it was awesome to just get past that.” Just one stroke back in third place in the division was Connor Shaw, 12, of Thompson, Manitoba, who shot 98-92 (190).
MJT-CPGA Junior Boys 17 and up Champion was Jay Hodgson, 18, of Saskatoon, who fired 80-76 (156) to win his division by five strokes. “Eagling the first hole of the tournament and shooting 35 on the back nine on day two would be highlights for me,” he said. “Playing the MJT gives me a chance to play competitive golf and a chance to play on different golf courses than I normally would. My goals are to play well at provincials and win a couple more tournaments.” Runner-up to Hodgson was Brennan Rumancik, 17, of Maple Creek, who shot 80-81 (161), while third spot was a tie at 171 total score between Mark Johnston, 17, of Swift Current, and Jordan Johns, 17, of Fort Qu-Appelle.
Saskatoon girls dominated their division where Thea Hedemann, 15, ran away with the MJT-CPGA Saskatchewan Junior Girls Champion title after firing 85-82 (167). “I loved seeing so many girls out!” she said. “It put more pressure on me as a golfer. I also loved the course. It was in great shape and challenged me in so many aspects.” Danielle Pinder, 15, placed second with scores of 98-85 (183) while Anna Young, 14, who is off to represent Canada in the World Youth Team Challenge in Illinois next month, tied for third at 189 total score with Lindsay Stewart, 17, of Selkirk, Manitoba.
Each of the boys champions also won their divisional Mr. Lube Long Drive competition; Kaitlyn Jahnke, 16, of Hebert, won among the girls. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were Brendan Baldwin, 13, of St. Adolphe, Manitoba, Michael Nielsen, 16, of Saskatoon, Tanner McGregor, 17, of Saskatoon, and Thea Hedemann.
The MJT continues its Saskatchewan schedule on June 7th and 8th in North Battleford with the ACT/UCT Junior Classic presented by FINORA at North Battleford Golf Club – a qualifier for MJT Team Canada spots to Mexico and Scotland. 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 nationally by Boston Pizza and is Canada's premier and only 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.
Media Contact:
Elaine Denton
Marketing & PR, MJT
T: 1-877-943-1645
Email: edenton@maplejt.com