Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

June 28-29, 2014
Chestermere, AB

Rose survives terrible weather conditions to qualify for North American Junior Amateur on MJT

Chestermere, AB. – (June 30, 2014) – 17-year old Jeremy Rose of Calgary, AB, survived the elements to claim low overall in the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s MJT Eat Sleep Golf Series at Lakeside Greens Golf Club in Chestermere, AB, on June 28th and 29th, qualifying for a spot in the North American Junior Amateur Championship in Phoenix, Arizona this December.

“The conditions were very difficult for the players,” said MJT Tournament Director and PGA Professional, Trent Matson. “It blew near 70km on the first day, and did not get much better for the second day.  The players fought through it, and posted some great scores despite the wind.”

Rose, playing in his first MJT event, fired 76-75 (151) to defeat long time MJT veteran Greg Billingsley by one shot in terrible weather.  “This was in the top five toughest rounds that I have ever played in,” said Rose of the second round.  “I tried to keep in play, keep it low out of the wind, hit it to the middle of the green and played for par.”  Billingsley, 19, of Calgary, shot 74-78 (152) to finish second place in the MJT Junior Boys 17-19 division followed by Derek Roach, 18, also of Calgary, who finished at 79-76 (153) to secure third.

15-year old Alex Smith of Calgary claimed top spot in the MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 division after carding 81-79 (160).  “I made a lot of putts on the front nine today,” said Smith of his key to victory, “it feels great to win again.  It is a real confidence boost heading into the Western Future Links and Provincials next week.”  Three strokes back was Eric Sheard, 16, of Edmonton, who carded 83-80 (163) for second place, and there was a tie for third in the division at 165 total score between Michael Valk, 15, of Medicine Hat (82-83=165) and Matthew Jackson, 16, of Edmonton (79-86=165).

In the MJT Bantam Boys 14 and under division, 14-year old Korbin Allan of Lyalta, AB, carded two solid rounds of 80-74 (154), shooting the low round of the second day to claim his first victory on the MJT.  “I am very proud of my 74 today,” said Allan. “I gave a few shots away yesterday but grinded it out today in very tough conditions with the wind and rain.”  Finishing second and third respectively were Kai Iguchi, 13, of Banff, AB, who carded 82-77 (159) and Lucas Ferguson of Lethbridge, AB (83-81=164).

In the MJT Girls Division, 17-year old Emily Creaser of Edmonton, AB, played very solid golf to claim gold over a solid field in preparation for the Western Future Links. “I scrambled well this weekend, getting it up and down a lot,” said Creaser, “but it was hard to play in.  I grinded it out and was glad to finish how I did.”  Finishing second was Jaden Baustad, 15, of Calgary, who carded rounds of 85-89 (174). There was a tie for third place at 177 total score between Edmonton’s Rayna Oosterhuis (91-86) and Calgary’s Sharmaine Rapsiura (84-93).

Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition divisional winners were Sharmaine Rapisura, Mitchell McQuiggin of Calgary, Colton Leslie of Camrose and Joel Douglas of High River, while in the Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin, the winners were Cassidy Couture of Calgary, Carson Rody of Calgary, Riley Fortin of High River, and Derek Roach. Golf Town Comeback Awards for best second day improvement in score went to Lauren Koenig of Redcliff, Ben Wilson of Calgary, Rylan Plante-Crough of Airdrie, and Riley Pas of Calgary.

Full results and a photo gallery can be seen here.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in Alberta is the MJT Ford Series / PGA of Alberta Junior Championship at McKenzie Meadows Golf Club in Calgary on July 21-23, 2014. For more information or to register 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