Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 10-11, 2014
Winkler, MB

Sackett and Vetesnik repeat as winners of MJT Team Canada qualifier in chilly Winkler

Winkler, MB. – (May 11, 2014) –  Zack Sackett and Veronica Vetesnik, both of Winnipeg, MB, won their respective division titles in the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s MJT Manitoba Season Opener at Winkler Centennial Golf Club in Winkler on May 10th and 11th, renewing their spots on MJT Team Canada to the Srixon International Junior Classic in Australia this October.

“Day two was an absolute battle,” said MJT Tournament Director and PGA Professional, Ed Boge. “It was cold, a little rainy at times, very windy with some huge gusts.  The kids did an awesome job battling the elements.”

Sackett, 18, fired 71-77 (148) to win Low Overall and the MJT Junior Boys 17-19 title by two strokes over Kirk Markowski, 17, of Dryden, ON (73, 77=150). “My shot from the bunker on 12 to 15 feet (of the pin) was a highlight,” said Sackett, who re-qualifies for MJT Team Canada as a result. Third place in this division went to Bart Kaminski, 17, of Winnipeg, who shot 80, 72 (152).

“Another win for Zach but it wasn’t easy,” said Boge. “Kirk and Bart were doing their best to put some pressure on him.  Bart’s round of 72 in the gusting winds was huge and leaped him passed many to snag third place.”

17-year-old Veronica Vetesnik of the Annika Academy in Florida fired 76-78=154, battling all day right down to the last hole to pull off a one stroke victory over fellow Winnipegger Dana Todd, 18, (76-79=155), securing the MJT Girls Division title and a repeat appearance in Australia. “It’s a great way to start the year,” stated Vetesnik, who cited ‘sticking to my plan and not giving up’ as key to her win. Alexandra Demko, 15, of Thunder Bay, ON, played solid both days to capture third (79-80=159).

Ryan McMillan, 14, of Winnipeg, followed his nice 72 with a decent 76 to win the Bantam Boys 14 and under title by five strokes over Brendan Kesterke, 14, of Headingley, MB (80, 73=153) and Cole Uzat, 14, of Selkirk, MB (85, 76=161).  Kesterke did his best to try and catch McMillan with a great final round of 73, and Uzat’s strong 76 today slid him into his first top three finish at an MJT event. “The up and down I made on 10 the first day and winning three MJT’s in a row are tournament highlights for me,” said McMillan. “My goal this season is to make it to Arizona again (to the MJT National Championship).”

 “Izac Silagy’s 73 on day one gave him a nice lead going into today and he needed it as leaked a little oil but got the job done for his first MJT win in Juvenile Boys 15-16,” said Boge. Silagy, 16, of Winnipeg, carded 73, 85 (158) to beat both Ted Glass, 15, of Winnipeg and Aaron Ogrodnick, 16, of The Pas, MB, who matched scores of 78-82 on both days and  tied for second. Silagy, whose goals for his game this season are to contend in a good number of tournaments and break par in competition, attributed his win to making a lot of long putts and having a positive attitude during the cold.

The two-day tournament also featured Skills Competitions, where divisional winners were Vetesnik, Wyatt Brooks of Oakbank, MB, Ted Glass and Zack Sackett in the Mr. Lube Long Drive, and Dana Todd, Sean Gula of Balmertown, ON, Stefan Swandel of Winnipeg and Aaron McIntyre of Winnipeg in the Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin. Golf Town Comeback Awards for best second day improvement in score went to Angela Dueck of Morris, MB, Josh Shuster of Winnipeg, Harley Hoydalo of Selkirk, MB, and Justin Dyck of Winnipeg.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop is the MJT Junior Worlds Qualifier at Shilo Golf Club in Shilo on May 17-18 (this coming long weekend). 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