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Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA Professionals

Press Release

July 14-15, 2011
Kelowna, BC

For Immediate Release

Guterson, Hoodikoff and Hazelmere’s team harvest top spots in MJT Okanagan Event

Kelowna, BC. – (July 16, 2011) – The superb Harvest Golf Club in Kelowna, BC, was the sunny setting for the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s first Okanagan stop of the season, where players from BC and Alberta competed in four divisions over 36 holes of individual stroke play as well as the inaugural playing of the MJT Interclub competition. This new feature on the MJT has junior golfers representing their home golf clubs in a team net format.

In the individual competition, Alberta’s David Guterson, of Calgary, and BC’s Jordan Hoodikoff, of Grand Forks, tied for low overall, each winning their respective division titles of Boys 14-16 and Boys 17-19. It took a six hole putt-off to decide Guterson as the winner of an international exemption to the Texas Junior Golf Tour Holiday Classic in Austin, Texas, a well-scouted event in American junior golf.

David Guterson, 16, who got off to a sizzling start in the Kelowna heat with his opening round of four under 68, closed with a 75 for a 143 total and a one stroke victory among Boys 14-16. “It feels fantastic, it’s my first win!” he exclaimed, as this is indeed his first win ever and a great one at that. Lucas Gatto, 16, of Burnaby, BC, was runner-up after firing back-to-back rounds of even par 72, and third place in the division was a tie at 154 total score between 15 year olds Colin Wang of Vancouver (77-77) and Pitt Meadow’s Ryan Hunt (76-78).

Jordan Hoodikoff, 17, shot 71-72 (143) to win the Boys 17-19 title by two strokes over Justin Fram, 19, of Kelowna. Fram and Hoodikoff shared the lead after round one, each with a one-under 71, however it was Hoodikoff that would come in with an even par 72 to close out the title over Fram’s final round 74 (71-74=145). “It’s shocking really, I don’t think it will really set in for a couple more days,” said Hoodikoff of his victory. “I hit my irons really well both days so as a result I was able to make quite a few birdies.” Third place prize was collected by Langley’s Dylan Reichelt, 18, who carded 73-74 (147).

An Okanagan sweep in the Girls Division saw all three top spots taken by Kelowna and Summerland players. Kelowna’s Madison Kapchinsky, 16, was the winner after shooting two great rounds in the 70’s of 78-76 (154), overtaking first round leader, Jessica Claggett. “My mom heard about the tour and thought it would be a good way to gain experience,” said Kapchinsky. “It feels great (to win), I had some good competition out there.” Claggett, 16, fired 76-81 (157) to finish second three strokes back. Rounding out the division was 14 year old Summerland golfer, Rachelle Nielsen, who scored 85-86 (171).

Vancouver’s Christopher Ballesteros (76+70=146) played a great tournament in the Boy’s 13 and Under division and won by a considerable advantage, taking the lead early and building on it through the two days. After recording impressive scores for a 12 year old, Ballesteros commented, “I feel great but I’m not going to let it get to me too much and be over-confident; keeping my focus is what I need.” Second place belonged to Kelowna junior golfer, Nicholas Jones, 13, who carded rounds of 83-79 (162), and third place went to Mitchell Thiessen, 12, of Chilliwack, BC (91-88=179).

The MJT Interclub competition between 13 teams was won by Hazelmere Golf Club, with the Reichelt brothers and Tyler Roope scoring 139 to beat Two Eagles Golf Club by three. Hazelmere Golf Club, in South Surrey, BC, has a strong group of junior golfers who compete on the MJT all year and now with their win these players receive paid entries into the MJT Okanagan Junior Championship at Predator Ridge Golf Resort in Vernon on August 8-9.

The Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition winners during the tournament were Christopher Ballesteros (Northlands Golf Club), Matthew McEachran-Law (Vernon Golf Club), Jesse Reichelt (Hazelmere Golf Club) and Madison Kapchinsky (Kelowna Springs Golf Club, while the Sundog Closest to the Pin prizes went to Nicholas Jones (Kelowna Golf Club), Lucas Gatto (Vancouver Golf Club), Dylan Reichelt (Hazelmere Golf Club) and Mackenzie Field (Christina Lake Golf Club). For best second day comeback, the Golf Town Comeback Award winners were Ballesteros, Ben McNiven (Merritt Golf Club), Daniel Richardson (The Harvest Golf Club) and Kylie Jack (Two Eagles Golf Club).

Next stop on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is the MJT Odlum Brown Classic - PGA of BC Junior Championship at Northview Golf Club in Cloverdale on July 25-27. This 54 hole event, sponsored by Odlum Brown Limited, is the top tournament on the MJT schedule and is ranked by Golf Canada/Golf British Columbia, with exemptions into the Provincial Championships 2012 and the San Diego Junior Amateur. Online registration is at www.maplejt.com or juniors can call 1-877-859-4653.

About the MJT:
The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour presented by Boston Pizza is Canada’s premier and only national junior tour run exclusively by Canadian PGA Professionals and the ‘Road to College Golf’ for aspiring young players. The organization hosts more than 60 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7-13 year olds, and multi-day events for competitive players which also qualify juniors for international competitions. The MJT offers annual awards, scholarships, and frequent player incentives to help reward player's performance and participation throughout each season. MJT alumni include many Professional Tour players and Canadian PGA Professionals, as well as Canadian Amateur, National and Provincial Junior Champions. The MJT aims to develop champions, in golf and in life, promoting the game from grassroots through to provincial, national, university and professional level. For more information please visit www.maplejt.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: MJT - Elaine Denton - edenton@maplejt.com - 1-877-859-GOLF