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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

May 4-5, 2013
Lethbridge, AB

Packed field and playoff highlight MJT Alberta season opener at Paradise Canyon Four shortlisted for Callaway Junior World Golf

LETHBRIDGE, AB – (May 6, 2013) –The Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s (MJT) two-day Albertan season opener on May 4th and 5th at Paradise Canyon Golf Club in Lethbridge was packed with an oversubscribed field of 113 competitors from Alberta, Saskatchewan and BC in the Golf Alberta-ranked tournament, and needed a playoff to decide the Overall Champion. Four players also qualified for age-specific shortlisted spots into the Callaway Junior World Golf Championship in San Diego, CA, this July, with the final winners to be announced once all MJT qualifiers across the country have completed.

“The event was a resounding success,” said Tournament Director and PGA Professional, Trent Matson. “Two great days without wind in the spring is unheard of in Lethbridge, but the players were treated to just that. It was great to see all the players and their families out this weekend, and good to get the competitive season started in Alberta.”

It took a playoff to determine the Low Overall and Junior Boys 17-19 Champion, with Nicholas Scrymgeour, 17, of Cochrane, AB, making a birdie on the first playoff hole to beat Jared du Toit, 17, of Kimberly, BC, after both players finished regulation tied at 139 (70-69).  Scrymgeour was excited to say, “I hit it well after a long winter of hitting balls, and glad that my ball striking has not left me.”  Finishing third in the division was Greg Billingsley, 18, of Calgary, AB, who carded rounds of 70-70 (140).

Patrick Murphy, 16, of Crossfield, AB, had a back and forth round, making five birdies and then giving them back en route to the MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 title with fine scores of 69-71 (140), claiming a shortlisted spot into the Junior World Golf Championships for Boys 15-17.  Murphy cited his good tempo and ability to come back after a few bad shots as the key – “I hit only five greens on the first day, and had a good up and down day to stay at two under, and feel I am two or three swings away from playing really well.’ He added, “Paradise Canyon was where it started out for me – my first tournament so it is very special for me to come back every year.” Matthew Kadatz, 16, of Calgary, shot 75-70 (145) and Brett Pasula, 16, of Red Deer, AB, shot 72-73 (145) to finished tied for second in the division. 

Devon Spriddle, 17, of Lethbridge, shot 75-77 (152) to win the MJT Girls Division title in a “home victory”, as she played in front of family and friends on her way to the top.  Spriddle credited ‘hitting it in play all weekend’ as the key, and added, “I just tried to follow my game plan out there.  I really wanted to stay calm and play in control.”  Finishing two back was another Lethbridge native, Brianna Carrels, 17, who shot 75-79 (154) to place second, while Kat Kennedy, 17, of Okotoks, AB, carded 76-79 (155) to place third.

MJT veteran Brendan Brown, 13, of Calgary, claimed the MJT Bantam Boys 14 and under title by two shots with his great rounds of 74-72 (146), also joining the shortlist for Boys 13-14 in the Junior World Championships. “It feels awesome to win today!” he said. “My goal is to break par this year in competition and play there consistently.”  Landon Stellingwerff, 14, also of Calgary, applied as much pressure as possible, shooting the low round of the tournament for the Bantam Boys on the second day but came up just short (77-71=148). Finishing third in the division was Michael Valk, 14, of Medicine Hat, AB, who played steady golf shooting 76-74 (150).

Divisional winners of the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Devon Spriddle, Brendan Brown of Calgary, Matthew Kadatz and Greg Billingsley. Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners were Ella Williams of Calgary, Trey Brandt of Lethbridge, and Drew Dougherty of Calgary, while Golf Town Comeback Awards went to Amanda Zeglan of Calgary, Lukas Ferguson of Lethbridge, Will Gretton of Calgary, and Daniel Ahn of Calgary.

Results for the full field in the MJT Junior Worlds Qualifier at Paradise Canyon Golf Resort can be seen here

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in the province is the MJT Nationwide Series / Golf Alberta Order of Merit Series at The Links at Spruce Grove in Spruce Grove on May 18th and 19th, a qualifier for the FCG World Golf Championship in La Quinta, California. 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.