Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 26-27, 2012
Spruce Grove, AB

Saunders sizzles with a 67 at MJT’s Spruce Grove stop

Spruce Grove, AB – (May 28, 2012) – A full field of junior players on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) were treated to two warm, spring-like days on May 26 and 27 in the MJT Alberta Series at The Links at Spruce Grove golf course, which was a Golf Alberta-ranked event and also a qualifier for an exemption into the Future Champions Golf World Championship this July in La Quinta, California.

Located 20 kilometres west of Edmonton, The Links is a great facility nestled in the community of Spruce Grove, and is the host for the Canadian Tour qualifying site for the Edmonton Telus Open later this summer. “The players were treated to a fun golf course, which was a good test, and received first rate service from the staff,” said Tournament Director Trent Matson.

Tyler Saunders, 16, of Sturgeon County, AB, posted tournament low rounds each day, with a stellar performance on Sunday blazing the golf course with eight birdies en route to 67, making the win look easy. “I hit it quite well each day, and made a ton of putts today,” said Saunders. “It is a great way to start off the year with my low tournament round. I just want to play well and post other low rounds throughout the year.” Runner-up with two solid rounds of 80-72 was Matt Codd, 16, of Red Deer, AB, who holed out with his second shot on number 18 on Sunday. Third place went to Jon Fry, 16, of Calgary, AB, who carded 73-81 to take home the bronze medal.

12-year-old Brendan Brown of Calgary continued his winning ways and claimed another MJT Boys 13 and Under title after firing rounds of 78-74 to edge out the competition. “It feels great to win again. I made some putts this weekend but I also chipped in for birdie on number one both days!” said Brown of his highlights. Finishing in the top three were Landon Stellingwerff, 13, also of Calgary, who carded 81-80, followed by Francois van Tonder, 13, of Fort McMurray, AB, who shot 90-81.

In the Boys 17-19 Division, Geoff Fry went low with rounds of 75-74 to claim the gold medal and edge out Jason Fritz, 19, of Lethbridge, AB, by four shots. Fry, 17, of Calgary, “definitely hit it well today! I tried to keep the ball below the hole all weekend, and would like this to keep going for the year as I would love to qualify for Nationals this summer.” Finishing one shot back of Fritz in third place was Kierna Standen, 18, of Edmonton, AB, who played solidly with rounds of 80-74.

In the Girls Division, Jaclyn Lee, 15, of Calgary, played solidly over the long links-style golf course with rounds of 79-82 to win the gold medal and also qualify for the Future Champions Golf World Championship which is to be held at PGA West in La Quinta, California, USA, this July. “It feels great to win my division coming back from an injury,” stated Lee. “I just want to play consistently this year, with no real goals in mind.” Finishing in second place, with low round of the tournament for the Girls Division, was 14 year old Bria Jansen of Cochrane, AB, who carded 87-76, while Jaclyn’s sister Carolyn Lee, 17, finished in third place with rounds of 82-82.

Divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Brendan Brown, Zack Thys of Spruce Grove, Michael Harrison of Camrose, AB, and Brianna Carrels of Lethbridge, while the Sundog Closest-to-the-Pin were won by Brown, Dakota Smith of St. Albert, AB, Jason Fritz and Gina Kowalchuk of Lethbridge. The Golf Town Comeback Awards went to Ross Geiger of Calgary, Jonathan Pigeon of Edmonton, Quinn Bunten-Walberg of Morinville, AB, and Rachel Clark of Edmonton.

The MJT Alberta schedule continues in Olds on June 9-10 with the MJT Mountain View Credit Union Classic at Olds Central Highlands Golf Club, a qualifying event for MJT Team Canada to the Srixon International Junior Classic in New South Wales, Australia, this October. 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 presented by Boston Pizza is Canada’s premier and only national junior tour run exclusively by PGA of Canada 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 7–12 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.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Elaine Denton, MJT
edenton@maplejt.com
1-877-859-GOLF
www.maplejt.com