Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 23-24, 2011
Saskatoon, SK

Nine-Under Par Crowns Christiansen MJT-CPGA Saskatchewan Junior Champion

For Immediate Release - Saskatoon, SK – (July 25, 2011) – Saskatchewan’s 2011 Junior Men’s Champion, Jerry Christiansen, was back in action this weekend on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour where he posted an impressive nine-under par (68-67=135) to win low overall and the MJT-CPGA of Saskatchewan Junior Boys 17-19 Champion’s title in the MJT-CPGA of Saskatchewan Championship presented by Lethbridge College at The Willows Golf and Country Club in Saskatoon, July 23 and 24.

With the final day being windy and most of the competitors from across Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta shooting higher, Christiansen, 18, of Saskatoon, continued his amazing play and worked his way around the course with a smooth 67, taking the victory over Aaron Vogel, 17, of Regina, who shot very impressive scores of 71-70 (141). “I played well tee to green and was able to make a few putts,’ said Christiansen, a five-year MJT veteran. “It feels good to play two good rounds for the tournament.” There was a tie for third place in this division between Rylan Visser, 17, of Lethbridge, AB and Jehremy Ryde, 18, of Eston, SK, after both players shot 75-75 (150).

A playoff was needed to crown the MJT-CPGA of Saskatchewan Boys 14-16 Champion after two Regina boys, Daegan Wall, 16 and Drew Kocur, 15, both recorded rounds of 71 and 77 for a 148 total to tie for the lead. Wall stole the show with an eagle two on the par 4 first hole. Kocur hit a solid shot in to have a look at birdie but with a massive drive, Wall smoothed in his pitch shot right in the hole for an eagle to capture the title. “It feels good to win my second MJT age division,” Wall said. “My highlight was during the playoff when I chipped in for eagle. The course was in good shape and the greens were rolling great, although the wind made it tough to score well.” Just missing the action by a few strokes after a disappointing second day was Garrett Blair, 16, of Lanigan, SK, who carded 68-83 (151) to settle for third.

The MJT-CPGA of Saskatchewan Boys 13 and under champion was Michael Martin, 13, of Calgary, AB, who fired 73-76 (149) and stated, “The putting kept me going and didn’t let me down either day. I’m excited to win my first tournament and the competition gave me a good run!” One of the Manitoba juniors in the field, 12 year old Brendan Kesterke of Headingley, collected the silver medal after firing 77-79 (156) and also snagged the Sundog Skills Competition for his closest to the pin shot. Rounding out the top three was Regina’s Matthew Douglas, 13, who scored 77-85 (162) and who also took home the Mr. Lube Long Drive prize for his division.

Jamieson Smeaton, 18, of Lethbridge, AB, won the MJT-CPGA of Saskatchewan Girls Champion title with her steady play of 81-82 (163). “I was able to recover after a bad shot was made and am so proud of myself! Feels great,” she said. Katie Griffiths, 15, of Red Deer, AB, finished second after shooting 84-89 (173) and also won the Sundog Skills Competition among the girls In third was Kayla Sawchuck, 12, of Prince Albert, SK (95-104=199), who scooped the Mr. Lube Long Drive competition.

The other skills competition winners for the weekend included Eric Nielsen (Holiday Park Golf Club) and Justin Paradis (Cooke Municipal Golf Club) for the Mr. Lube Long Drive; Anthony Neufeld (Riverside Golf Club) and Bryan Matkowski (Saskatoon Golf Club) for the Sundog Skills Competition; as well as Dhrake Berezowski (Cooke Municipal Golf Club), Justin Simpson (Wakaw Lake Golf Club) and Zach Friesen (Paradise Canyon Golf Club) for the Golf Town Comeback Award.

The Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour completes its Saskatchewan schedule in Waskesiu Lake with the MJT Saskatchewan Series at Elk Ridge Resort on August 27-28. This final 36 hole event is a qualifier for the Golfweek Championship at McCormick Ranch, a major American junior golf tournament. Registration is still open and spots are limited. For full details and online registration, interested juniors can visited 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 and the ‘Road to College Golf’ for aspiring young players. The organization hosts more than 60 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7-13 year olds, and multi-day events for competitive players which also qualify juniors for international competitions. The MJT offers annual awards, scholarships, and frequent player incentives to help reward player's performance and participation throughout each season. MJT alumni include many Professional Tour players and Canadian PGA Professionals, as well as Canadian Amateur, National and Provincial Junior Champions. The MJT aims to develop champions, in golf and in life, promoting the game from grassroots through to provincial, national, university and professional level. For more information please visit www.maplejt.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: MJT - Elaine Denton - edenton@maplejt.com - 1-877-859-GOLF