Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 16-17, 2012
Calgary, AB

Brown best with 8-under-par victory on MJT Prodigy Series

DeWinton, AB – (July 18, 2012) – Humid weather, a little rain and a course in excellent condition were enjoyed by a full field of juniors on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) during the two-day MJT Prodigy Series at Carnmoney Golf Club in DeWinton, Alberta, on July 16 and 17, where four division titles were up for grabs plus the chance to qualify for the Rocky Mountain Junior Golf Tour’s (RMJGT) Tournament of Champions in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, this December.

Brayden Brown, 17, of Calgary, AB, fired a brilliant eight-under-par 69-67 on his home course to win Low Overall and the Boys 17-19 title over Brandon Zimmerman, 18, of Edmonton, AB, and Windermere Golf Club, who had shot 70 on the second day only to watch Brown close with a career tournament low 67 to move farther ahead. When Brown, who receives the RMJGT Tournament of Champions exemption, was asked what his thoughts were on the tournament, he said, “I made eagle on the second hole today, and that got things going. It was fun, and it feels great to win!” Third place in the division went to Priddis Green’s junior Ryan Hounjet, 18, of Calgary, who carded 75-72.

Calgarians dominated the podium in both the Boys 14-16 and Girls divisions where Derek Roach, 16, a junior at Glencoe Golf and Country Club, won his second MJT title this season with fine scores of 75-73 (148), beating fellow Glencoe junior member Brendan MacDougall (81-71), age 14, by four strokes. First round leader Christopher Murray, 16, of Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club, came in third in the division with scores of 72-81. MJT veteran Roach said that his highlight was making a 60 foot putt on the 16th hole of the second day to increase his lead. “I putted well all week – the greens were great! They were nice speed, the course was in great shape and I hope that we can come back here.”


In the Girls division, Ella Williams, 16, another Glencoe junior, made her late entry pay off by shooting back-to-back rounds of 83 to win over runner-up Daphne Rantung, 15, of Silver Spring Golf Club, who shot 87-91. Third place went to Emily Phoenix, 17, a Bearspaw Golf Club junior member, who carded rounds of 93-88.

Silverwing Golf Club junior, Brendan Brown, 12, of Calgary, AB, fired 70-75 from the white tees to coast to victory in the Boys 13 and under division, racking up his record sixth MJT title this season. “The highlight was my great start. I was three under through five holes on the first day, and just kept it going,” he said, adding, “I am excited to get back on top again, adding to my lead in the Alberta Order of Merit.” Runner-up was Eric Chantler, 13, of Fort McMurray and Fort McMurray Golf Club, AB, who shot 81-80, while third place went to Michael Lavorato, 13, of Calgary and Canyon Meadows Golf, who carded 82-81.

Mr. Lube Long Drive Awards went to Jamie Rome of Calgary, Zach Thys of Spruce Grove, Brandon Fong of Calgary, and Daphne Rantung, while Sundog Eyewear Skills Awards were taken home by Brayden Provost of Brocket, Andrew Chelak of Calgary, Brendan Stasiewich of Cochrane and Ella Williams. The Golf Town Come Back Awards went to MJT first timer Zach Friesen of Calgary, Kyle Gfrerer of Coleman, Dexter Wood of Calgary and Erin Farner of Calgary.

The MJT Alberta schedule continues at Red Deer Golf and Country Club in Red Deer on July 28 and 29, 2012, which is also a qualifier for the Future Collegiate World Tour (FCWT) Notre Dame University event in the USA 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 CONTACT:
Elaine Denton, MJT edenton@maplejt.com 1-877-859-GOLF www.maplejt.com