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The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
July 14-15, 2009
Saskatoon, SK
For Immediate Release
HERPERGER ON FIRE TO WIN MJT SPOT TO AUSTRALIA
Saskatoon, SK - (July 15, 2009) – An extremely windy and cold day greeted players in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s (MJT) Srixon Series CPGA of Saskatchewan Junior Championship at the Willows Golf Club in Saskatoon on July 14th, where the course was barely able to open due to copious rainfall. Better weather followed on July 15th, and some great scores were recorded by the competitive young golfers from Alberta and Saskatchewan in the final MJT stop here this season.
Mike Herperger, 17, of Humboldt, SK, went on to win the two day tournament after he followed up his opening round of 68 with a scorching back nine on day two to close with a 71 and 3-under-par total of 139, winning the MJT Boys 17-19 Srixon CPGA of Saskatchewan Junior Championship title and a spot on MJT Team Canada to the Jack Newton International Junior Classic in Australia this October. “I feel good about winning. My iron play was key,” said Herperger about his victory. “I play MJT because it is a great opportunity to develop my game.” The rest of the six player team to Australia, which is outfitted by Travel Underwriters as the International Events Partner of the MJT, is selected from other qualifiers across the country.
Runner up in the 17-19 division was Braeden Mueller, 17, of Regina, who fired 72-70 (142), while Scott Pinder, 17, of Saskatoon, closed with a great round of 69 to move into third place (74-69=143).
Jerry Christiansen, 16, of Air Ronge, SK, continued his fine play on the MJT and shot an outstanding 69-71 (140) to claim the title of MJT Boys 14-16 Srixon CPGA of Saskatchewan Junior Champion. “My putting was strong throughout the tournament and my birdie on the par five 15th hole was a highlight,” he said. “The MJT offers a good way to see where my game is at. I feel good about winning the division but I would have liked to qualify for Australia.”
Close on Christiansen’s heels in the division was Jordan Arndt, 16, of Furdale, SK, who fired 72-70 (142) to place second, and there was a tie for third place at 145 total score between Mitchell Matichuk, 16, of Melville, SK, (72-73), and Jared Tupper, 16, of Meadow Lake, SK (71-74).
Boys 13 and under champion, Tyrin Foley, 13, of Bengough, SK, won his second MJT title this season after shooting 77-76 (153). “I had a close hole-in-one,” he said. “I feel really relieved and excited (about winning). I play MJT because I like to have fun.” Runner-up in the division was Nathan Corrin, 12, of Moose Jaw, SK, who carded 79-79 (158). Alberta’s Nolan Mastel, 12, of Medicine Hat, shot 80-82 (162) to take third place.
Kaitlyn Jahnke, 17, of Herbert, SK, fired 78-76 (154) to be crowned the MJT Srixon CPGA of Saskatchewan Girls Junior Champion, after beating Danielle Pinder, 16, of Saskatoon, by four strokes. “My key was to stay positive even if I didn’t make a great shot. I feel pretty good (about winning) and I’m just really happy that I played well both days,” said Jahnke. Danica Cox, 16, of Riverside Estate, shot 97-96 in her first MJT outing to finish third.
The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Nolan Mastel, Matthew Erickson, 15, of Saskatoon, Braeden Mueller and Danielle Pinder. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were Zac Newman, 13, of Saskatoon, Jehremy Ryde, 16, of Eston, SK, Chris Schneider, 18, of Saskatoon, and Kaitlyn Jahnke. There were also many draw prize winners in the tournament.
With the Saskatchewan season at an end players will now wait for notice on qualification for the MJT National Tour Championship at the Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa in Phoenix, AZ, November 21-22. For more information, 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: 1-877-943-1645 Email: edenton@maplejt.com