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Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour
The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
June 7-8, 2008
North Battleford, SK
Gibson and Jenkins join MJT Team Canada after MJT's Finora Event
NORTH BATTLEFORD, SK – Decent weather led to some great scores on a difficult course during the two-day Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s (MJT) ACT/UCT Junior Classic presented by FINORA at North Battleford Golf Club in North Battleford, SK, this past weekend. Competitors from all over Saskatchewan as well as from Alberta and Manitoba took part, with eligible players vying for spots on MJT Team Canada to the Scotland Kingdom of Fife Team Matches in St. Andrews, U.K. and the International Junior Golf Invitational in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Jesse Gibson, 16, of Saskatoon, SK, continued his winning ways on the MJT and blasted a 5-under-par 67 on day two to edge Travis Jenkins, 16, of Prince Albert, SK, to scoop low overall score and the Boys 14-16 division title. Gibson, who won an exemption into the China Junior Open at the MJT’s Deer Valley tournament in May, now adds a spot on the team to Scotland to his resume with his scores of 74-67 (141). “My putter was rolling a little better the second day which led to birdies,” he said. “It feels good (to win) because I wanted to go to Scotland.” Division runner-up, Jenkins, who finished second low overall as well with his back-to-back scores of 71 for a 142 total, earned a spot on the team to Mexico. Jerry Christiansen, 15, of Air Ronge, SK, took third place (70-73=143) in a division so tightly contested that only one stroke separated each of the top six places.
The Boys 17 and up division title went to four-year MJT veteran Brad Blair, 18, of Lanigan, SK, who won by three strokes after firing 71-72 for a 143 total. “My putter saved me this weekend,” he said, adding, “I play MJT because it allows me to compete against the best players in the province and test my game on top-notch courses.” Brennan Rumancik, 17, of Maple Creek, SK, closed with a great round of 69 to tie for second place in the division at 146 total score with Troy Bulmer, 17, of Saskatoon (74-72).
Conley Kriegler, 13, of Saskatoon, easily won his first MJT tournament out of the gate this season in the Boys 13 and under division after posting rounds of 81-77 (158). Garrett Blair, 13, of Lanigan, placed second (84-83=167) and Liam Courtney, 13, of Saskatoon, came in third (88-80=168).
Thea Hedemann, 15, of Saskatoon, repeated as champion of the Girls division after shooting 80-85 (165). “My highlight was the fantastic weather and the great condition of the course – it’s a great experience playing different courses,” said Hedemann, who is enjoying her third season on the MJT. “I am so excited! I can’t wait for the next MJT event.” Breanna White, 17, of Fort Qu’Appelle, SK, placed second among the girls with scores of 87-88 (175) and Danielle Pinder, 15, of Saskatoon, finished in third place one stroke back (90-86=176).
The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Tanner Afseth, 13, of Saskatoon, Jesse Gibson, Troy Bulmer and Kaitlyn Blackmer, 17, of Swift Current. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were Zachary Taylor, 13, of Saskatoon, Scott Piett, 15, of Eston, Cory Southam, 18, of Strongfield, and Thea Hedemann.
The next tournament on the MJT’s Saskatchewan schedule is the MJT Finora Classic on June 14th and 15th at Elmwood and Chinook Golf Clubs in Swift Current, a double qualifier for the Texas Junior Masters in San Antonio, TX, and the CKG Tour World Championship in Myrtle Beach, SC. The final stop is June 21st and 22nd at Perdue Oasis Golf Resort near Saskatoon, a double qualifier for the Canada International Friendship Cup in British Columbia and the CAN-USA Team Matches in Arizona. 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