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The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
August 30-September 1, 2004
Redwood Meadows GC, Calgary, AB
AT MAPLE LEAF JUNIOR GOLF TOUR?S FINAL ALBERTA STOP
Calgary, AB ? The Alberta PGA Junior Championship presented by Mazda, the final regular season event in Alberta for the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), concluded this week at the Redwood Meadows Golf Club in Calgary with top performances from Canada?s rising junior talent.
A quality field of MJT players from five different provinces converged for the Golfweek-ranked 54 hole tournament on the immaculately groomed Redwood Meadows course, which was in outstanding shape after hosting the recent Nationwide PGA Tour event. The event was part of the Mazda-sponsored Canadian PGA Junior Championship series in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, all conducted by the MJT.
An unusual feat of three holes-in-one was recorded during the tournament, aced by Red Deer?s Kyle Morrison on the 8th hole, and on the 15th hole by Selkirk?s Austin Steinberger and Calgary?s Juanita Rico.
Steinberger, all the way from Manitoba, trumped his hole-in-one with victory in the Boys 13 and under division and added another Canadian PGA Junior Championship title to his resume with his outstanding performance at Redwood Meadows. Steinberger, who was also the MJT Manitoba PGA Junior Boys 13 and under Champion this past July, posted scores of 72-75-69 for an even-par total of 216.
?I came just to play somewhere different and I did well. It feels really good,? said Steinberger. ?My tee shots, my putting ? in fact everything was on,? he remarked, adding that the course was tough but in great shape.
MJT veteran Dallas Mengel from Watrous, Saskatchewan, placed second in the division with rounds of 75-81-79 for a 235 total score, edging third place finisher Carson Kallis from Red Deer (81-79-76=236) by one stroke.
The Alberta PGA Junior Boys 14-16 Champion was Canadian National Junior Team member Mitchell Fox from Okotoks, who shot an excellent final round score of 72 to win. ?On the last day I drove my ball really well and was never in trouble,? said Fox, who posted a 222 total score . ?To me this (win) is a great end to the season and gives me confidence going into the International Matches against Ireland.?
Second and third place finishers in the Boys 14-16 division were the two talented juniors, Dustin Zhang from Calgary (77-71-76=224) and Jesse Galvon from Dewinton (75-75-76=226).
In the older boys division, Davis Poscente from Calgary used his local knowledge to carve his way around the difficult Redwood Meadows layout and post three great rounds of 73-71-75 for a 219 total score to claim the Alberta PGA Junior Boys 17 and up Champion?s trophy.
?The greens were awesome,? said Poscente. ?I just played solid and safe and didn?t make any mistakes. This gives me some confidence to end the year ? I?m glad to win on my home course.?
Another two golfing greats in the junior circuit, Brandon Markiw from Sherwood Park and Dallas Bassen from Strathmore, placed second and third with scores of 222 and 224 respectively.
The Alberta PGA Junior Girls Champion, rated one of the best juniors in Canada by Canadian Ladies National Team Coach and MJT Director Dean Spriddle, was Bari-Lynn Erais from Lethbridge. Erais played exceptionally well, posting scores of 71-73-75 for a 219 total to win by a significant margin.
?I stayed consistent for three days ? I didn?t throw away any shots,? said Erais. ?This was my first win this summer so it feels really good.?
The hole-in-one by Juanita Rico was capped off with a second place finish to Erais with scores of 83-78-77=238, and in third place was Mackenzie Renner from Coaldale (77-82-85=244).
Division winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Steinberger, Markiw, Cornel Smith (Regina, SK) and Megan Claxton (Calgary.)
The Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin Competition division winners were Rico, Michael Murray (Thornhill, ON), Joseph Knight (Calgary) and Scott Genoway (Calgary).
The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is endorsed by PGA Tour veterans Dave Barr and Ray Stewart and is the only major junior tour in Canada run exclusively by Canadian PGA Professionals. The 2004 schedule culminates in the invitation-only Boston Pizza National Tour Championship at Crown Isle Golf Resort on Vancouver Island, BC, on September 18-19.
For more information call 604-943-1645 or visit www.maplejt.com