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Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA Professionals

Press Release

August 15-16, 2012
Calgary, AB

Field bows out on a high at MJT Bow Valley Credit Union Classic

Calgary, AB – (August 18, 2012) – A huge storm rolled through North East Calgary on Tuesday August 14, causing large branches to fall from trees at Bearspaw Country Club in Calgary, AB, and flags to be pulled out of the holes, plus a full power outage, but you could not tell on Wednesday morning. With the maintenance staff working feverishly, the course was in pristine condition for a full field of junior golfers on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), competing in the two-day MJT Bow Valley Credit Union Classic on August 15 and 16. “The greens were a real treat – they are difficult, undulating and very fast,” said MJT Tournament Director and PGA Professional, Trent Matson. “The entire golf course was in fantastic condition, but the greens may be the best we have seen all year!”

Derek Field, 19, of Calgary, fired 69-72 to win the final junior event of his MJT career, claiming low overall and the MJT Bow Valley Credit Union Classic Boys 17-19 title over Evan Holmes, 17, also of Calgary, who shot 69 on the second day only to watch Field close with solid golf to finish one shot ahead. When asked what his thoughts were on the tournament, Field said, “I was trying to stay aggressive as Evan was getting very close. It was a great match throughout the day.” Holmes, however, is the age-eligible qualifier for an exemption into the San Diego Junior Amateur Golf Championship this January in San Diego, CA, USA. The Boys 17-19 third place went to Calgary’s Brayden Brown, 17, who carded 72-76.

Derek Roach, 16, of Calgary, won the Boys 14-16 Division title in a very tight battle with scores of 74-72, beating runner-up Brett Pasula, 15, of Red Deer, AB, (75-72) by one shot. Veteran winner Roach said that his highlight was winning his third event of the year on the MJT circuit, which should ensure him a spot in the MJT Boston Pizza National Tour Championship presented by Callaway Golf at the Legacy Golf resort in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, this November. Third place in the division went to Matt Codd, 16, of Red Deer, who carded rounds of 78-71.

In the Girls division, Gina Kowalchuk, 16, of Calgary, shot back-to-back rounds of 85 to win over runner-up Emily Phoenix, 17, also of Calgary, (88-88). “It was a nice way to end the year, even though I didn’t play great,” stated Kowalchuk. “The greens were very difficult, I just couldn’t figure them out.” Third place went to Bria Jansen, 15, of Cochrane, AB, who posted scores of 86-92.

The MJT Bow Valley Credit Union Classic Boys 13 and Under title was won by Brendan Brown, 13, of Calgary, who fired 74-78 from the white tees to coast to his eighth MJT victory this season. “The highlight was making birdie on hole number three and getting my round going,” he said, adding, “I am excited to get back on top again, it is a great way to end the year!” Runner-up was Alex Smith, 13, of Calgary, who shot 80-84, and third place went to Eric Chantler, 13, of Fort McMurray, AB (86-83).

Mr. Lube Long Drive Awards in each division went to Alex Smith of Calgary, Jeremy Rietze of Lacombe, Brett Hawken of Wetaskiwin, and Melanie Murchison of Calgary. Sundog Eyewear Skills Awards were taken home by Brendan Brown, Drew Dougherty of Calgary, Andrew Rados of Chestermere, and Melanie Murchison. Golf Town Comeback Awards were all won by Calgarians: Bradley McKeating, Jordan Biollo, Dexter Wood and Shelby Unger.

The MJT Bow Valley Credit Union Classic wraps up the MJT Alberta Schedule for the 2012 season during which players have earned valuable Order of Merit points to earn their spot in the MJT Boston Pizza National Tour Championship in Arizona this November. 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.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Elaine Denton, MJT edenton@maplejt.com 1-877-859-GOLF www.maplejt.com