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The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
August 24-25, 2009
Picture Butte, AB
MURPHY MANAGES THE WIND AT MJT’S 1ST CHOICE SAVINGS STOP
Picture Butte, AB - (August 25, 2009) – The weather for the past two days of the 1st Choice Savings Series at Picture Butte Golf Club hosted by the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) could not have been any different. On the first day, the weather was warm and the wind was non-existent. The players ate up the course as it was defenseless without the wind, and confidence ran high that this would happen two days in a row. But on Tuesday August 25 (day two), the wind blew 30-40km per hour, and the scores rose to the level of the conditions. Many a head hung after the second round which was won by both the wind and the course for the final MJT multi-day tournament in the province this season.
In the boys 13 and under division, Patrick Murphy, 12, of Crossfield, played exceptionally well and proved once again that he is the force in his age group at the MJT, firing 70-71 (141). Murphy cruised to a 20 shot win over his closest rival, and his three-under-par total is his lowest of the year which carried him to his fourth straight win on the MJT. “I kept the streak alive! It was nice to play this well under tournament pressure,” Murphy quoted, following the round. In distant second was Theoren Olver, 13, of Three Hills, who carded 82-79, followed by Brett Pasula, 12, of Red Deer who posted 83-80.
In the boys 17-19 division, Ryan Werre, 17, of Redcliff, continued to beat the field as he fired even par 144 (71-73) over the two days on the perfectly manicured Picture Butte course where the greens were perfect, running fast and true. The 17-19 division was tight until hole 14 where Andrew Ritchot, 17, of Lethbridge, and Jordan Gibson, 17, of Picture Butte, made some mistakes and Werre ‘just tried to play smart through that stretch, making solid pars and making someone make it happen.’ Werre said he ‘made some key 10 foot par saves coming in, it was a big grind day’ as he never really got comfortable over the ball. First round leader, Gibson (70-76), and Steven Scheidt, 18, of Calgary (75-71), finished tied for second at 146 total score.
Nick Scrymgeour, 14, of Calgary, snuck in from the second to last group to shoot the low round of the day in his division on day two, claiming the boys 14-16 title with scores of 78-74. Scrymgeour credited his driving and putting for his success, and when asked about winning his first MJT event since moving up a division, said, “it feels surreal – I have come a long way since the beginning of the year!” Scrymgeour beat out Riley Fleming, 16, of Airdrie, by one shot, as Fleming (74-79) struggled coming in with the wind playing havoc with some shots. Finishing alone in third place was Jason Fritz, 16, of Lethbridge (77-80) who said “I played okay but just could not get anything in the hole.”
In the girls division, Kristen Jensen, 17, of Picture Butte, kept her mini-streak alive as well, winning her fourth straight MJT title with rounds of 76-81 (157). “I am very excited to win at my home course, to win four in a row, and to win the last one of the year,” she said. “I drove the ball well – in play and quite long for both days and feel that I can score when I do that. I wasn’t really in trouble either day.” In second place was Becky Martin, 16, of Medicine Hat, who posted rounds of 77-82 (159), making a double on the final hole to lose to Jensen. Finishing in third place was Breanne Fredette, 15, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, who posted rounds of 84-84 (168), boosting her order of merit standing for the National Tour Championship.
The divisional winners of the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Derek Roach, 13, of Calgary, Derek Rucki, 15, of Chestermere, Steven Scheidt and Kristen Jensen. The Sundog Skills Competition winners were Patrick Murphy, Brett Sheridan, 14, of Lethbridge, Jordan Gibson and Devon Spriddle, 14, of Lethbridge.
The MJT now moves into the MacLeod Savings and Credit Union One Day Series on September 6th and 12th at the Bridges at Claresholm Golf Club in Claresholm, and Nanton Golf Club in Nanton, respectively. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.
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.
Contact:
Elaine Denton, Marketing & PR, MJT
T: 1-877-943-1645
Email: edenton@maplejt.com