Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 18-19, 2014
Swift Current, SK

Wood works wonders at MJT-Golf Saskatchewan Order of Merit season opener

Swift Current, SK. – (May 19, 2014) – Over 80 young golfers teed it up at the Boston Pizza-presented MJT Junior Worlds Qualifier and Golf Saskatchewan Order of Merit Series Season Opener at Elmwood Golf Club in Swift Current, SK on May 18th and 19th, competing for titles in seven divisions and the chance to qualify for the Callaway Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego, CA, this July.

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 19th, and the division winners – who are now all shortlisted for spots in the Junior World Championships - were Tess Bakus, 9, of Swift Current for Atom Girls (128), Koby Faubert, 10, of Wadena, SK, for Atom Boys (112), and Rylie Seaman, 11, of Lethbridge, AB, for Peewee Boys (86).

On the MJT for players up to age 19, players endured rain and lightning delays on day one, but persevered to post some decent scores for their first time out this season.  Justin Wood, 19, of Unity, SK, won Low Overall and the MJT Boys 17-19 Junior Boys title after working wonders with excellent rounds of 69, 70 (139). “Being under par both days was nice to do,” he said. “I was most nervous waiting in the clubhouse to see if I was low overall. I feel very happy with this win – I’ve put a lot of work in and to finally break through is really rewarding.” Runner-up in the division was Mike Flegel, 19, of Moose Jaw, SK, who carded 71, 73 (144). Tyrin Foley, 18, of Bengough, SK, shot 69 on day two to snag third (78, 69=147).

Playing up a division, Noah Kozack, 14, of Regina, SK, closed with the low round of the tournament (73, 68=141) and won the MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 title by three strokes over Carson Harcourt, 16, of Kipling, SK (71, 73=144). “It feels good to start off the year right,” said Kozack, who cited being able to read the greens and make putts when needed as key to his victory. Matt Bean, 15, of Saskatoon, SK, shot 71, 75 (146) to place third.

Bradley McKeating, 13, of Calgary, AB, made the trip worth his while by firing 75, 76 (151) to take the MJT Bantam Boys 14 and under title by two strokes over Saskatoon’s Bradley Moser, 14, and Connor Scissons, 14, who each shot 78, 75 (153) to tie for second. “It was a race from hole 10 on – the lead changed so quick I was just able to pull it off and make a putt on 18 for the win,” said McKeating. “It’s the best feeling in the world because it is my first junior win.”

In the Girls division, it was an easy win for Lisa Reid, 19, of Regina, who shot 80, 78 (158) and ‘played her own game’, eagling the 17th hole for a highlight. “It feels good! I’m very proud of myself,” she said. Chloe Sies, 15, of Melville, SK (86, 89=175) and Lauren Koenig, 14, of Redcliff, AB (96, 85=181) rounded out the top three.

Sies and Koenig are now shortlisted for the Junior World Championships, together with Kozack and Harcourt. Final spots are subject to the outcome of the other MJT qualifiers across the country.

The two-day tournament also featured Skills Competitions, where divisional winners were Lisa Reid, Keighton McNab of Saskatoon, Matt Bean and Drew Kocur of Regina in the Mr. Lube Long Drive. In the Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin they were Chloe Sies, Adam Forbes of Saskatoon, Roman Timmerman of Saskatoon, and Logan Tisdale of Swift Current. Golf Town Comeback Awards for best second day improvement in score went to Noah Bankowski of Saskatoon, Jordan Unger of Saskatoon, Tisdale and Tyrin Foley of Bengough, SK.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in Saskatchewan is the MJT-Golf Saskatchewan OOM Series at Deer Valley Golf and Estates in Deer Valley on June 14th and 15th, a qualifier for MJT Team Canada to Australia. 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