Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

April 28-29, 2012
Lethbridge, AB

Murphy’s five under par Low Overall out of 104 Juniors at MJT’s 1st Choice Savings Stop

Lethbridge, A.B. – (April 30, 2012) – The junior golf season in Alberta started off in outstanding fashion at the popular Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT)’s Golf Alberta-ranked stop at Paradise Canyon Golf Resort in Lethbridge, Alberta, where mild temperatures and very little wind benefitted the 104 top calibre players from four different provinces in the packed field on April 28 and 29.

Sponsored by long time Tournament Partner 1st Choice Savings Credit Union, the two day tournament yielded some impressive scores for so early in the season. Patrick Murphy, 15, of Crossfield, AB, dueled with Matt Williams, 16, of Calgary, AB, right to the final hole, where Murphy made a right to left 10 foot putt to beat Williams by a single shot and claim both Low Overall honours and the Boys 14-16 Division Title, securing him a paid entry for his attempt to qualify for the US Junior Amateur Championship later this summer.

Williams came out of the gate quickly on day one, firing a fantastic tournament low round of 65 to lead by four over Murphy, but Murphy “played steady, patient golf and really trusted and tried to stick to his game plan.” His game plan would eventually be correct, as he closed with a final round 68 (for a five under par total of 137) to edge Williams by a shot. “It feels great to make a putt on the final hole to win, what a great way to finish! It was nice to see that my game would hold up down the stretch in tight competition,” said Murphy following Sunday’s prize presentation, where he was awarded the funding for the US Junior Amateur Championship qualifier by the MJT and Travel Underwriters, the Official International Events Partner of the MJT. Finishing in third place was Jared Du Toit, 16, of Kimberly, BC, who carded rounds of 71-73.

12-year-old stand out Brendan Brown of Calgary continued to dominate the Boys 13 & Under with two solid rounds of 74-76 to claim the Gold Medal. Brown has won both starts on the MJT Alberta schedule this year, and credits his “putting inside 6 feet, where he made almost everything this weekend” as his key to victory. Finishing Runner-Up was Chris Horton, 13, also of Calgary, who was tied after day one but slipped on day two with a final round 80. In third place was Calgarian Michael Lavarato, 13, who carded rounds of 83-75.

Ian Mmbando, 17, of Lethbridge, Alberta, was low score for day two shooting a 69 (two under par) to claim the Boys 17-19 Division title via retrogression over Brett Hogan, 18, of Calgary, after both players finished with a two-day total of 143. “Patience and making all the five foot putts today and lipping out for eagle on number nine (a Par Four) was a highlight,” said Mmbando. Finishing in third place was Brett Sheridan, 17, of Lethbridge, AB, who carded 73–74.

In the Girls Division, Sabrine Garrison, 16, of Calgary, won in her first start on the MJT in 2012, firing rounds of 74-77 and finishing two strokes ahead of nearest rival Carolyn Lee, 16, also of Calgary. Lee was low round on day two shooting 74 to move into second position, while Gina Kowalchuk, 16, of Lethbridge, finished three back carding 79-75 to claim bronze. “After the front nine, I didn’t think that I would win, but played steady coming home and I finished with eight straight pars,” stated Garrison. “I just kept steady on the back, and just stayed patient.”

Mr. Lube Long Drive Awards went to Brendan Brown, Alex Basilis of Calgary, Mack Penner of Lethbridge and Carolyn Lee. Sundog Skills Awards were taken home by Landon Stellingwerff of Calgary, Matt Williams, John McKiernan of Calgary and Sydney MacDonald of Calgary.

The Alberta schedule continues with the MJT Chinook Credit Union Classic at Nanton Golf Club in Nanton on May 12 and 13, which is also a qualifier for the Callaway Junior World Golf Championship in San Diego, California, July 2012. 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 PGA of Canada 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 7–12 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.