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The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
July 23-24, 2006
Transcona GC • Winnipeg, MB
PROVINCIAL CHAMPION GIESBRECHT TAKES MJT-MANITOBA PGA JUNIOR CROWN
WINNIPEG, MB – The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s annual MJT-Manitoba PGA Junior Championship presented by Bieber Securities successfully concluded at Transcona Golf Club in Winnipeg on July 24th, after two days of hot, sunny weather. The full field of competitive juniors came from Saskatchewan, Ontario and all over Manitoba, to compete for their respective division titles in the championship, which was sponsored by local financial services firm, Bieber Securities.
Fresh off his victory as the 2006 provincial Junior Boys Champion, Kevin Giesbrecht, 16, of Carman, MB, continued to show his stuff as the best player and fired 73-71 to edge Spencer Harris, 18, of Winnipeg (73-72) for the low overall score. Giesbrecht won the Boys 14-16 Champion's trophy in this, his first MJT event, as well as the low overall honours. “My driver was very solid – it feels good to get another win under my belt,” said Giesbrecht, who birdied the 16th hole both days. Second to Giesbrecht in this division was Steve Minion, 14, of Winnipeg, MB, who continued his great play in MJT events and fired 78-72 (150). Jeff Bassey, 15, also of Winnipeg, (81-70=151), rounded out the top three after shooting one-under-par on day two, the best round of the tournament.
Harris played solid golf and won the MJT-Manitoba PGA Junior Boys 17 and up Champion's trophy after fighting off Bobby Wiebe, 17, of Headingley, MB (76-72=148), who made it extremely close on the final day. Harris closed it up nicely, however, birdying on the 16th hole and draining a 30-foot putt for par on 18. “Making a couple of clutch putts on the last few holes enabled me to catch Bobby and take back the lead,” he said. “Bobby gave me some intense moments. It feels good to win even though I felt like it was handed to me on the last two holes.” Just one stroke back in the division’s third place was Maple Leaf Team Canada member, Matt Loewen, 17, of Winkler, MB, (77-72=149).
The 13 and under champion was Myles Sullivan, 13, of Portage la Prairie (76-82=158), who has enjoyed the competition on the MJT this year. “The two kids who were close to me worried me a little bit,” he said, “I think my putting saved me.” Scott Mazur, 13, and Garrett Neiles, 13, both of Winnipeg, finished second and third in the division with scores of 82-80 and 84-83 respectively.
MJT-Manitoba PGA Junior Girls Champion was NaEun Park, 16, of East St. Paul, who won her first MJT event with scores of 90-96. 12-year-old Jenna Roadley and Bri-Ann Tokariwski, 14, both of Winnipeg, tied for second place.
“Overall the competitors did an awesome job keeping their cool out there,” said Ed Boge, CPGA and MJT Tournament Director. “A big thanks to Gatorade for all their drinks in the 30 to 34 degree Celsius weather.”
The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Garrett Neiles, Bryan Giesbrecht, 16, of Winnipeg, Matt Loewen and NaEun Park. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were Jay Mactavish, 13, of Winnipeg, Kevin Giesbrecht, Ryan Cook, 17, of Winnipeg, and Jenna Roadley.
The tournament at Transcona wraps the 2006 Manitoba schedule for the MJT, a not-for-profit association presented by Boston Pizza and Canada’s only major junior tour run exclusively by Canadian PGA Professionals. The program helps develop Canada's junior golfers, offering clinics, tournaments, international competitions and more. From free introductory clinics sponsored by Ford to the major CPGA Zone-sponsored junior championships, the MJT aims to develop champions, in golf and in life. For more information please visit www.maplejt.com.
Contact:
Elaine Denton,
Marketing & PR, MJT
T: 604-943-1645
Email: edenton@maplejt.com