Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 8-9, 2013
Winnipeg, MB

Kesterke King at MJT’s Bel Acres stop - Lavallee secures FCWT TPC Sawgrass spot

Winnipeg, MB – (July 10, 2013) –The Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) held the MJT Nationwide Series at Bel Acres Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg, MB, this past weekend, where a solid field of 78 junior golfers teed it up in a two-day tournament which also featured qualifying for the Future Collegiate World Tour’s (FCWT) event at the famed TPC Sawgrass Course in Ponte Vedre, Florida, this December.

“Everything was awesome!” said MJT Tournament Director and PGA of Canada Professional, Ed Boge. 13-year old Brendan Kesterke of Headingley, MB, was crowned ‘king’ of the tournament after shooting impressive rounds of 70-73 (143) from the Bantam division tees to win his second MJT Boys 14 and Under title this season in style. Kesterke cited his highlight and key to victory as “shooting under par and making birdies,” and added that his golf goals are to shoot more rounds under par this season. Finishing second in the division at 149 total score was Marco Trstenjak, 13, of Winnipeg, who carded 75-74, while Ryan McMillan, 13, also of Winnipeg, finished third 77-75 (152).

The eligible winner of the spot to the FCWT TPC Sawgrass event was MJT veteran, Stefan Lavallee, 15, of Steinbach, MB, who shot 79-72 (151) and won the MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 title. “It felt like a million bucks to play my best on the last day and give it a shot at winning or maybe placing,” said Lavallee. Finishing second in this division was Myles Panciera, 16, of Winnipeg, who carded 76-78 (154), and Josh Neufeld, 16, of Altona, MB, (78-77) placed third.

Derek Solman, 19, of Winnipeg, fired rounds of 76-77 (153) to win the MJT Junior Boys 17-19 title by three strokes over three other players.  “My personal highlight was hitting it four feet by the hole on 18 for birdie after making a seven the hole before,” said Solman. “It feels great. I have been in the first group into the second day before and blew it. I have also come in second before so finally winning a tournament feels good.” The three-way tie for second place at 156 total score was between Darren Kelpin, 18, of Stony Mountain, MB (78-78), the recently crowned Manitoba Junior Champion and 2012 MJT Cleveland Golf Player of the Year, Travis Fredborg, 17, of Selkirk, MB, (77-79), and Garrett Kristjanson, 17, of Warren, MB, (77-79).

Katie McGlenen, 15, of Winnipeg, shot two solid rounds of 81-83 (164) to win the Girls division title. McGlenen, who said all she was thinking about coming down the stretch was ‘Pizza!’ due to the Boston Pizza pizza served to all players after every MJT tournament, added, “It is exciting (to win) because I proved to myself I could do it.” Marissa Naylor, 15, of Winnipeg, finished two shots back after carding rounds of 84-82 (166) while finishing third was McKyla Poponick, 16, of Selkirk, (88-89=177).

Divisional winners of the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Katie McGlenen, Zak Bannatyne of Winnipeg, Stefan Lavallee and Travis Fredborg. Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners were Marissa Naylor, Auzzie Loewen of St. Andrews, MB, Izac Silagy of Winnipeg, and Travis Fredborg. Golf Town Comeback Awards went to Bobbi Uhl of Erickson, MB, Dalton Joye of Selkirk, Joel Barron of Carberry, MB, and Brett Multan of Winnipeg.

Complete details on the MJT Nationwide Series at Bel Acres Golf Club can be found here. 

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in Manitoba is the MJT Collegiate-Bound Series at Teulon Golf Club in Teulon on July 25th and 26th. 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 PGA of Canada 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.
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