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Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour
The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
June 14-15, 2008
Swift Current, SK
DEJA VOUS FOR SMITH AT MJT’S FINORA STOP IN SWIFT CURRENT
SWIFT CURRENT, SK: Finora, a substantial Canadian-based supplier and processor of lentils, peas, mustard and beans, sponsored the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s stop in Swift Current over the Father’s Day weekend, where local Taylor Smith, 19, was the cream of the crop. The tournament, which played out on both Chinook and Elmwood Golf Courses, was a double qualifier for the Texas Junior Masters in San Antonio, TX, and the CKG Tour World Championships in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Smith, of Swift Current, blasted a four-under-par 68 on day two to close at 140 total score, taking the Boys 17 and up division title and low overall. It was deja vous for the MJT veteran, whose first MJT win was in Swift Current in 2002. Smith, who cited his highlight as his long eagle putt on the 15th hole, said “The MJT has helped me develop consistency in my game. I’ve learned what it takes to compete and play against some of the better players in Western Canada.” Second place in this division was Brennan Rumancik, 17, of Maple Creek, SK, who shot 73-74 (147). Jordan Johns, 17, of Fort Qu’Appelle, SK, came in third with scores of 78-72 (150).
Patrick Sanchez Mitchell, 14, of LaFleche, SK, shot 72-74 (146) and won the Boys 14-16 division title by three strokes over a hard charging Jordan Arndt, 15, of Furdale, SK. “I want to do well at the junior worlds and international tournaments and keep playing well on the MJT,” said Sanchez Mitchell, who lives part of the year in Mexico and is now exempt for the Texas Junior Masters this August. Arndt closed with an excellent 69 to vault into second place in the division (80-69=149) while Mickey Wallace, 16, of Swift Current, finished third with scores of 79-72 (151).
Close competition among boys 13 and under saw the top three finishers all within one stroke of each other, with Conley Kriegler, 13, of Saskatoon, claiming his second MJT division title after posting scores of 84-78 (162). “It means a lot to me (to win) because it was a tough field,” said Kriegler, who now receives an exemption into the CKG Tour World Championships. Nathan Corrin, 11, of Moose Jaw, SK, was runner-up in the division at 84-79 (163), and a great final round of 75 from Zachary Taylor, 13, of Saskatoon, moved him up to third place (89-75=164).
The two Kaitlyn’s in the Girls division went into a playoff after tying for first place at 170 total score – Kaitlyn Blackmer, 17, of Swift Current, shot 87-83 and Kaitlyn Jahnke, 16, of Hebert, SK, shot back-to-back rounds of 85. Blackmer, who won the playoff, said, “The highlight for me was talking and building relationships with the other girls.” Kristen Klatt, 13, of Fort Qu’Appelle, SK, shot 102-94 to finish third.
The Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition divisional winners were Zach Walker, 13, of Medicine Hat, AB, Jordan Arndt, Taylor Smith and Kristen Klatt. The Sundog Skills Competition divisional winners were Conley Kriegler, Tanner Hall, 16, of Saskatoon, Michael Hiltz, 17, of Coronach, SK, and Kaitlyn Blackmer.
The final stop in the MJT Saskatchewan Series this season is at Perdue Oasis Golf Resort near Saskatoon on June 21st and 22nd - a double qualifier for the Canada International Friendship Cup in British Columbia and the CAN/USA Team Matches in Arizona. For more information or to register, visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-GOLF.
About the MJT
The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) is presented nationally by Boston Pizza and is Canada's premier and only junior golf tour run exclusively by Golf Professionals. The MJT is proud to play a role in developing young players, including several Canadian National Champions and many Future Links and Provincial Champions. The MJT also provides opportunities for young Canadians to learn how to golf and introduces players as young as four years old to the game via free instructional clinics. In addition, the MJT encourages young players to further their education with scholarship awards. For more information, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-GOLF.
Media Contact:
Elaine Denton
Marketing & PR, MJT
T: 1-877-943-1645
Email: edenton@maplejt.com