Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 26-27, 2010
Picture Butte, AB

For Immediate Release

GIBSON LOW OVERALL IN 1ST CHOICE SAVINGS STOP; FRITZ HEADING DOWN UNDER

Picture Butte, AB – (July 29, 2010) – Over the July 26thand 27th weekend, the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) held its first Alberta stop following the Provincial Championships, another event on the 1st Choice Savings Series, at Picture Butte Golf Course in Picture Butte. The flawless greens caused havoc as they were extremely quick and undulating, rewarding patience which overall winner, Jordan Gibson of Picture Butte, had, as he “tried not to get down on himself. I have been in a slump for most of the year so it is nice to play well here.”

Gibson, 18, a member of Picture Butte Golf Club, shot 76-74 and claimed the boys 17-19 title, the Gold Medal, a Cleveland Golf Bag and $50 Boston Pizza Gift card for his victory. Runner-up in this division was Jason Fritz, 17, of Lethbridge (79-72), who is the eligible qualifier for a spot on MJT Team Canada that will be heading to New South Wales, Australia, for the Srixon International Junior Classic this October. Fritz took the Silver Medal and the Odyssey White Ice Putter for his second place finish. Placing third was Ryan O’Donnell, 17, of Lethbridge (79-80) who received the Bronze Medal, a Canterbury Golf Belt and an OGIO prize.

Defending his title in the boys 14-16 division was Nick Scrymgeour, 15, of Cochrane (78-75), who edged out John McKiernan, 16, of Calgary (74-79) via retrogression after both players had tied for the lead at 153 total score. Scrymgeour won the division in 2009 and was “proud to defend his title! It feels excellent to win here and on the MJT. I am not sure why but I just seem to play well at this course.” Finishing in the division’s third place and receiving the Bronze Medal was Jay Hollingsworth, 16, of Lethbridge (75-79).

In the Girls Division, Kat Kennedy, 15, of Okotoks, claimed her first win on the MJT with outstanding rounds of 74-77 over the tough Picture Butte course and claimed the Gold Medal. Kennedy “just tried to play my best, and have fun out there. I just thought to myself that I just needed to beat the course. These are my two best consecutive rounds that I have shot, and 74 is my lowest round ever in tournament play.” Finishing in second place and receiving the Silver Medal was Mieke Heyns, 17, of Lethbridge (82-75), while Kristen Jensen, 18, of Picture Butte (77-80), played steady golf on her way to the Bronze Medal.

Nolan Mastel, 13, of Medicine Hat, continued his strong play in the boys 13 and under division and carded excellent rounds of 77-76 to win the Gold Medal. Mastel was just “trying to hit consistent shots, hit lots of greens in regulation. It is great to win on a good course like this!” Mastel beat MJT newcomer, Ethan Leier, 13, of Calgary (91-88), who took the Silver Medal and the Odyssey Putter in his first MJT outing.

The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition included Nolan Mastel, Ian Mmbando of Lethbridge, Colton Mohl of Brooks and Kristen Jensen. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were John McKiernan, Jeremy Austin-Evelyn of Lethbridge, and Jensen. The winners of the Golf Town Comeback Awards were Ethan Leier, Mieke Heyns, Tyler Shackman of Calgary and Daine Biluk of Calgary.

The Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour continues its Alberta schedule on August 3rd, 4th, and 5th with the MJT – PGA of Alberta Junior Championship at McKenzie Meadows Golf Club in Calgary, a qualifier for the Texas Junior Golf Tour’s Holiday Classic at Barton Creek. 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 Canadian PGA Professionals. The organization hosts more than 50 events across Canada and also qualifies players for spots to international events in England, Australia, Thailand and many cities in the USA. The MJT offers annual awards, scholarships, and frequent player incentives to help reward player's performance and participation throughout each season. MJT alumni include PGA tour player Chris Baryla, players on the Nationwide and Canadian Tours, several Canadian National Junior Champions and many Future Links and Provincial Junior Champions.

Contact: Elaine Denton, Marketing & PR, MJT T: 1-877-943-1645 Email: edenton@maplejt.com