Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 29-30, 2013
Leduc, AB

Peskens caps off junior career with a win on MJT at Leduc - Qualifies for FCWT at ASU Karten

Leduc, AB – (July 31, 2013) – Despite players being pulled off the course three times due to rain and lightning and having to slug it through to finish during the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s (MJT) two-day stop on July 29th and 30th at Leduc Golf Club in Leduc, AB, the new venue for the MJT’s schedule proved to be just what Pieter Peskens needed to win what could be his last junior event of his career.

Peskens, 19, of Leduc, shot 74-76=150 to win low overall and the MJT Junior Boys 17-19 title, qualifying for the Future Collegiate World Tour’s event at ASU Karsten in Phoenix, Arizona, this December. “It feels good to win at home, kind of home field advantage,” he said. “It has been tough year for me. I started playing better a week ago and hope it carries over to the Leduc Club championship where I will be defending my title.” 

Runner-up to Peskens in the division was Michael Griffin, 17, of Victoria, BC, who carded rounds of 78-74=152, while Josh Gorieu, 17, of Stony Plain, AB, shot low round of the tournament on the second day and finished third (83-70=153).

A tie for the lead in the MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 division at 152 total score between Justin Berget, 15, (78-74) of Spruce Grove, AB, and Brendan MacDougall, 15, of Calgary, AB, (75-77), forced a playoff where MacDougall made birdie on the first playoff hole to claim his second MJT tournament victory in a row.  “I made a clutch 15 footer on number 14 to keep my round going, and then made a 15 foot birdie on the first playoff hole,” said MacDougall of his tournament highlight. “I would like to play solid and qualify for the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship in Florida, so would like to keep it going for the rest of the summer.”  Third place in the division went to 15-year old Michael Hoang of Calgary who shot 84-73=157 in his first event as a juvenile.

Emily Creaser, 16, of Edmonton, AB, shot 88-83=171 to win the MJT Girls Division with two solid scores.  Creaser wants to ‘continue to play well, improve and get ready for Australia,’ as she is on MJT Team Canada who is heading to New South Wales, Australia, this September to play in the SRIXON International Junior Classic. Finishing second was Rayna Oosterhuis, 17, of Edmonton, who shot 94-83=177, followed by Rachel Clark, 18, also of Edmonton, who scored 101-99=200.

14-year old Landon Stellingwerff of Calgary played steady, patient golf and carded rounds of 74-72=146 to claim the MJT Bantam Boys 14 & under title.  “I was very consistent the whole tournament,” said Stellingwerff. “I felt pressure of having a big lead.  I didn’t want to blow it but it feels great to win.”  Second place in the division went to Ben Farrington, 13, of Fort McMurray, AB, who shot 82-80=162, and third place to Brock Chelle, 14, of Edmonton, (83-84=167).

Divisional winners of the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Rachel Clark, Nish Pillay of Edmonton, Ryan Morrell of Red Deer, AB, and Derrick Morrell of Red Deer, while the Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners were Rayna Oosterhuis, Francois Van Tonder of Okotoks, AB, Josh Lumgair of Calgary, and Barrett Belland of St. Albert, AB.   Golf Town Comeback Awards went to Oosterhuis, Eric Chantler of Fort McMurray, AB, Michael Hoang, and Josh Gorieu of Stony Plain.

“It was very tough out there,” summed up Trent Matson, MJT Tournament Director and PGA of Canada Professional, “but this golf course is a treat.  This is the MJT’s first time here and the facility is a gem.” Results for the full field in the MJT Collegiate-Bound Series at Leduc Golf Club can be seen here. 

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in Alberta is the MJT-PGA of Alberta Junior Championship at Lakeside Greens Golf Club in Chestermere, a Golf Canada-ranked event. 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.