Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 17-18, 2014
Lacombe, AB

100 young golfers tee it up at MJT’s Junior Worlds Qualifier in Lacombe

Lacombe, AB. – (May 19, 2014) – 100 young golfers teed it up at the Boston Pizza-presented MJT Junior Worlds Qualifier and Golf Alberta Order of Merit Series at Lacombe Golf Club in Lacombe, AB, on May 17th and 18th, competing for titles in eight divisions and the chance to qualify for the Callaway Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego, CA, this July, subject to the outcome of the other MJT qualifiers across the country.

The field comprised players on the MJT Mini Tour for ages 12 and under, as well as players up the age of 19 on the regular Tour. Mini Tour players competed over 18 holes only, on May 17th, and the division winners – who are now all shortlisted for spots in the Junior World Championships - were Jayla Kucy, 8, of Camrose, AB, for Atom Girls (85), Annabelle Ackroyd, 12, of Calgary, AB, for Peewee Girls (84), Cole Bergheim, 10, of Red Deer, AB, for Atom Boys (73), and Marko Banic, 11, of DeWinton, AB, for Peewee Boys (79).

On the MJT for players up to age 19, good weather Saturday made for some great golf, whereas rains and wind on Sunday caused short delays on a course which had endured a rough winter.  Solid golf from the long 5957 yard Ladies tees by Team Canada Member Jaclyn Lee, 17, of Calgary, AB (78, 76=154), delivered the MJT Girls division title and a shortlisted spot in the Junior World Championships. “It was tight this weekend between Brianna and I, it was back and forth,” said Lee. “I would like to thank the Lacombe Golf Club, they worked hard to get the course in shape for our event." Brianna Carrels, 18, of Lethbridge, AB, shot 78, 78 (156) to place second, while Emily Creaser, 17, of Edmonton, AB, came third (82, 79=161).

It was another great start for Brendan Brown, 14, of Calgary, who fired 74, 75 (149) to win the MJT Bantam Boys title and a shortlisted spot in the Junior Worlds. Brown said, "I would like to thank Lacombe. They were hard pressed for time as they only opened Thursday, and they did a great job getting the course ready.  The greens were a little beaten up but the event was first class."  Carter Graf, 13, of Red Deer, AB, came second with back-to-back scores of 81, 81 (162) and there was a tie for third at 163 total score between Kai Iguchi, 13, of Banff, AB (84, 79) and Ben Farrington, 13, of Fort McMurray, AB    (84, 79).           

Landon Stellingwerff, 15, of Calgary, won his first MJT event as a Juvenile with a par on the first playoff hole against Jaxon Lynn, 16, of Sylvan Lake, AB, after both boys tied for first place with identical scores of 74-71 (145) in regulation. "My highlight and the turning point today was making birdie on number 11, and then chipping in for eagle on number 12 to get us close,” said Stellingwerff. “Jaxon and I were tied coming into 18 and I made birdie and he made bogey to force a playoff." Ryan Rody, 16, of Calgary, placed third in the division (75, 76=151).

Geoff Fry, 19, of Calgary, who attends McNeese State University, won his first event back in Canada, taking the MJT Junior Boys 17-19 title with fine scores of 70-74 (144). “"I worked hard at McNeese this winter and it was a lot of fun coming to Lacombe this weekend.  I am looking forward to the rest of the summer to keep things rolling," he said. Runner-up was Jared Nicolls, 17, of Ponoka, AB (77, 70=147), followed by Michael Vlieg, 17, of St. Albert, AB (73, 77=150).

The two-day tournament also featured Skills Competitions, where divisional winners were Daria Leidenius of Ponoka, Scott Shugg of Cochrane, AB, Chris Horton of Calgary, and Jon Fry of Calgary in the Mr. Lube Long Drive. In the Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin they were Sharmaine Rapisura of Calgary, Scott Shugg of Cochrane, Ryan Rody of Calgary, and Alex Corrigan of Calgary. Golf Town Comeback Awards for best second day improvement in score went to Grace Cho, Joshua Burlet  and Nishaylan Pillay – all from Edmonton, together with Will Gretton of Calgary.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in Alberta is the wait-listed MJT Bow Valley Credit Union Classic at Banff Springs Golf Club in Banff on May 24th and 25th. For more information please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.

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About the MJT:

The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour presented by Boston Pizza is Canada¹s 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 Ford of Canada, Mr. Lube, Cleveland Golf, Srixon, Gatorade and Travel Underwriters, in addition to valued Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts more than 70 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.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour: Elaine Denton, Director of Marketing and Administration   edenton@maplejt.com   1-877-859-GOLF