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The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
June 6-7, 2009
North Battleford, SK
GIBSON ACES MJT’S FINORA CLASSIC; CHRISTIANSEN QUALIFIES FOR SCOTLAND
North Battleford, SK.- (June 9, 2009) – A full field of 74 young golfers on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) took part in the Finora Classic at North Battleford Golf and Country Club in North Battleford, SK, this past weekend. The tournament, which was also a qualifier for MJT Team Canada to the Scotland Kingdom of Fife Matches in St. Andrews, UK, saw players battling quick, tricky greens and a tough layout in the cool weather.
After a chilly start, things began to sizzle for former MJT Cleveland Golf Player of the Year, Jesse Gibson, 17, of Saskatoon, who aced the 110 yard par three 12th hole with a wedge off the tee, spinning it back seven feet. He followed up his day one score of 67 with a 72 to finish at 139 total score, winning low overall and the Boys 17-19 division. “I hit the ball well and putted pretty good and my hole-in-one was awesome!” said Gibson. “I play MJT because there are always good fields so it feels good to win.”
Tied for second place in the division behind Gibson were Mike Herperger, 17, of Humbolt, who had a great second day with a two-under-par (77-70=147), and Mike Boymook, 17, of Saskatoon, who fired a solid one-under first day for a 147 total (71-76). Fourth spot went to Dallas Mengel, 17, of Saskatoon, who posted 75-73 (148) for the tournament.
Jerry Christiansen, 16, of Saskatoon, shot great back-to-back scores of 70 to net a 140 four-under total for victory in the Boys 14-16 division, qualifying for the coveted spot on MJT Team Canada as Gibson, a repeat winner, will not return to Scotland in 2009. “I hit 17 greens both days and didn’t make any major mistakes,” said Christiansen. “The MJT is a great way to see how my game measures up to the other players. I would have liked to have finished stronger but I am still happy that I finished ahead.” Second place in this division went to Danny Klughart, 16, of Prince Albert, who shot 71-73 (144), while Jordan Arndt, 16, of Saskatoon, was two strokes back in third (74-72=146).
Playing in his first ever MJT event, an enthusiastic Tyrin Foley, 13, of Bengough, shot 78-83 (161) to win the Boys 13 and under division title, edging MJT veteran Nathan Corrin, 12, of Moose Jaw, by two strokes. Foley said he was ‘pretty excited’ about his win and his goals this season are to ‘play better than last year.’ Connor Shaw, 13, of Thompson, Manitoba, placed third after shooting 84-80 (164).
It was a close battle for top spot in the Girls’ division, with Thea Hedemann, 16, of Saskatoon firing 80-75 (155) to beat runner-up Anna Young, 15, of Saskatoon, by two strokes. “There is always a great turnout of girls in the MJT tournaments which is really great to see,” said Hedemann. “I was happy about my finish after a shaky round yesterday. On the last day, my irons were really accurate and that helped me hit a lot of greens.” Danielle Pinder, 16, of Saskatoon, finished in third place after carding 89-82 (171) for the tournament.
The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Connor Shaw, Taylor Afseth, 16, of Saskatoon, Braeden Mueller, 17, of Regina and Anna Young. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were Nathan Corrin, Jessy-Lee Lacher, 14, of Swift Current, Mike Herperger, 17, of Humboldt, and Kaitlyn Jahnke, 17, of Herbert.
The MJT continues its Saskatchewan schedule on June 13th and 14th with the second Finora Classic at Elmwood Golf Club in Swift Current, a qualifier for the Texas Junior Masters at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort, San Antonio, Texas. 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.
Contact:
Elaine Denton, Marketing & PR, MJT
T: 1-877-859-4653; Email: edenton@maplejt.com