LOG IN
  User:   Pass:
Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA Professionals

Press Release

August 8-9, 2011
Vernon, BC

Playoff at Predator caps off MJT Okanagan Junior Championship

For Immediate Release - Vernon, BC – (August 10, 2011) –
Scorching Okanagan temperatures were endured by junior golfers from as far as Manitoba and all provinces in between during the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s MJT Okanagan Junior Championship at Predator Ridge Golf Resort in Vernon, BC, on August 8th and 9th. It was a sold-out field of young talented players who battled the heat, which hovered around 36 degrees Celsius for two days over 36 holes, posting some incredible scores to provide exciting action for spectators.

In the Boy’s 14-16 Division, three players who stood out during the tournament were Marcus Brown, 15, of Surrey, BC, Lucas Gatto, 16, of Burnaby, BC and David Guterson, 16, of Calgary, AB. Guterson would open his tournament with a two under par 69 and the overnight lead, while Brown followed closely behind at 70 and Gatto at 71. Unfortunately for Guterson, his pace would drop off and a final round 77 would see him finish in third place (69+77=146). Brown and Gatto however would continue their scoring into round two where Gatto made a tremendous final putt to force a playoff. Brown (70+71=141) and Gatto (71+70=141) would take their fight all the way to the fifth sudden death playoff hole where Brown would get a twenty foot putt to drop and seal his win. “Lucas made a great putt to force the playoff. My driver was the key to victory this week and it feels great (to win),” said Brown of his second MJT title this season, which comes with an exemption into the Golfweek Championship at McCormick Ranch this December in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The low tournament round, however, belonged to the eventual winner of the Boy’s 17-19 Division, John McKiernan of Calgary, AB. McKiernan, 17, opened with a three under par 68 for the tournament lead and needed only a second day 77 to win his division by two strokes (68+77=145). “I backed up today but managed to keep it together…..great event!” he said. BC boys rounded out the top three with Langley’s Jesse Reichelt, 18, carding two solid rounds (75+72=147) to snag his second silver medal finish of the season together with a Mr. Lube Long Drive prize. Two strokes back in third place was Vernon’s Brad Jones, 18, who shot 77+72 (149).

The Girl’s Division featured quite the battle as Kelowna’s Madison Kapchinsky, 16, would come from behind to win her division title (74+77=151). Kapchinsky’s comeback was in part thanks to ball-striking as demonstrated by her also winning her division’s Sundog Eyewear Skills Competition. “I really capitalized on my opportunities on the back and maintained my focus,” she summed up. “It feels fantastic and I’m proud of myself.” A stellar opening round of 72 by another Kelowna girl, 16 year old Jessica Claggett, was followed by 83 on day two, placing her in a tie for second with the steady play of Breanne Fredette, 17, of Winnipeg, MB (78+77=155).

Landon Stellingwerff, 12, of Calgary, AB, has competed in three provinces this year on the MJT, from his hometown tournaments in Alberta, to events in Manitoba and now British Columbia. That experience paid off as Stellingwerff collected his first win this season after firing rounds of 83+80=163. “It feels good because I haven’t been playing well lately,” he said, adding that he plays MJT because he likes the age divisions and the nice staff. Only one shot back was the division’s Mr. Lube Long Drive Champion, Rossland, BC’s Braden McKay, 13, who shot 81+83=164. Third place went to Brendan Kesterke, 12, of Headingley, MB, who posted consistent scores of 83+83=166 and who also won his division’s Sundog Skills Competition.

Other divisional winners of the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Brandon Fong of Calgary and Ella Williams of Calgary. In the Sundog Eyewear Skills Competition, the winners not already mentioned were Cole Briggs of Langley and Matthew Vician of Calgary. Golf Town Comeback Awards in each division went to Nathanael Dubland of Armstrong, BC, Alexander Jewkes of West Vancouver, BC, Brady Stead of Vernon and Tiegan Taylor of Kelowna.

The Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour concludes its multi-day BC schedule on August 29-30 at Hazelmere Golf and Country Club in Surrey. This event is also a qualifier for the Golfweek Championship at McCormick Ranch - a highly scouted tournament. For full details and online registration, interested juniors can visited www.maplejt.com or 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