Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 26-27, 2013
Vernon, BC

15-year-old from Smithers, BC, wins Low Overall on MJT at Predator Ridge

Vernon, BC – (August 28, 2013) – Canada’s number-one played Junior Golf Tour, the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, ended the multi-day tournament schedule for British Columbia with a packed field at the MJT Prodigy Series at Predator Ridge Golf Resort in Vernon on August 26 and 27, where players competed for titles in four divisions plus the chance to qualify for the January 2014 Future Champions Golf (FCG) San Diego Junior Amateur.

Adam Veenstra, 15, of Smithers, BC, made his emotional family proud by winning his first MJT Low Overall and Juvenile Boys 15-16 title, also securing the exemption in the San Diego Junior Amateur, after standing up to meet the entire field with his fine scores of 70, 73=143. “My personal highlight was making eagle on hole 14,” he said. “The course was in mint condition. I wasn’t really thinking about winning coming down the stretch – my group was great and kept me relaxed. It is my first MJT win so it feels awesome.” Runner-up in the division was Brandon McManus, 15, of Surrey, BC, who shot 72, 77=149, edging out Devin Kelly, of White Rock, BC, who finished third (77, 73=150).

Winning his third consecutive MJT Junior Boys 17-19 title was Steven Lee , 18, of Kelowna, BC, whose opening round of 68 proved to be too hard to catch. Lee, who finished 68, 77=145, said, “My highlight would be two-putting from a long way down the hill on 18. The greens were super fast, the pins impossible. Honestly, the win feels surprising considering my back nine.” Lee managed to just hold off by one stroke both Matthew McEachran-Law, 17, of Coldstream, BC, (74, 72=146) and Nick Krystal, 17, of Port Moody, BC, (73, 73=146) who tied for second place in the division.

From the MJT’s Bantam tees, shooting the lowest tournament round, was Boys 14 and under champion Andrew Spalti, of Vancouver, BC, who closed with a brilliant 67 for a total score of 78-67=145. “I just made tons of putts,” he said. “It’s a reassurance (to win) and gives me the confidence to keep playing golf.” Runner-up in the division was first-round leader Kristian Oppenheim, 13, of Kelowna, who shot 74, 77=151. Third place went to Mitchell Thiessen, 14, of Chilliwack, BC (75, 79=154).

In the Girls division, Madison Kapchinsky, 19, of  Kelowna, racked up her seventh MJT win in three years with fine scores of 71, 79=150, stating that her highlight was ‘having fun laughing with Lauren (Rutherglen).’ She added, “This is my seventh gold medal and it feels great every time.” Julia Dereniwsky, 17, of Kimberley, BC, placed second (76, 77=153), followed by Jessica Claggett, 18, of Kelowna, in third place (78, 79=157).

Divisional winners of the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Rachelle Nielsen of Summerland Golf and Country Club, Andrew Spalti, Mitchell Turko of Smithers Golf Club, and James Baker of Pitt Meadows Golf Club. Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners were once again Nielsen and Spalti, together with Adam Veenstra (Smithers Golf and Country Club) and Christopher McEachran-Law of Vernon Golf and Country Club. Golf Town Comeback Awards for best second day improvement went to Rhiannon Jones of Shannon Lake Golf Club, Brandon Chai of Vernon Golf and Country Club, Davide Kaiser of Kelowna, and Brett Hantiuk-Zalapski of Predator Ridge Golf Resort.

Detailed highlights and photo gallery of the MJT Prodigy Series at Predator Ridge Golf Resort can be found online at http://www.maplejt.com/tour.php?id=2013009.

MJT members have earned valuable Cleveland Golf Order of Merit points throughout the season and now await invitations to the prestigious MJT Boston Pizza National Championship at The Reunion Resort in Orlando, Florida, on November 8-10, 2013, where Annika Sorenstam, LPGA Legend, will host a clinic for the fortunate participants. The MJT Fall One Day Series now finishes the season in BC, at Redwoods Golf Course in Langley on September 21, and University Golf Club in Vancouver on October 5. 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 number-one played Junior Golf Tour as well as the only national junior tour run exclusively by PGA of Canada Professionals and the ‘Road to College Golf’ in Canada. The organization is generously supported by Boston Pizza and Premier Partners Cleveland Golf, Srixon, Ford, Mr. Lube, Golf Town and Travel Underwriters, in addition to valued Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT 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 program 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 CONTACT: Elaine Denton, MJT edenton@maplejt.com 1-877-859-GOLF  www.maplejt.com.