Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 9-10, 2014
Mactaquac, NB

Belanger, Hadley, Gourley and Jones win MJT titles at Mactaquac

Mactaquac, NB. – (August 11, 2014) – Despite Mactaquac Golf Course in Mactaquac, NB, bearing the brunt of Tropical Storm Arthur last month, it was in great shape for the young golfers on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour this past weekend where Alexandre Belanger won Low Overall and the MJT Juvenile 15-16 division, and 2014 MJT National Champion, Danek Hadley, won the Junior Boys 17-19 in a playoff. As described by Graham Gourley, winner of the MJT Bantam Boys division, “Mactaquac is my favourite course in New Brunswick. I love the big, soft greens here that are forgiving but challenging at times.”

Graham Gourley, 14, of Fredericton, NB, shot 74, 71 (145) to run away with the Bantam Boys 14 and Under title for the August 9th and 10th event. “Both rounds, I had three birdies, which ties for my most ever,” he said. “I won the East Coast and Provincial Bantam titles already this year and this win was just as satisfying. My goal is to take the MJT Order of Merit points race for the Atlantic Bantam division. This win puts me one step closer.” Lukas Cormier, 12, of Ste-Marie-de-Kent, NB, came second (76, 85=161) and there was a tie for third at 162 total score between Alexandre Boudreau, 14, of Dieppe, NB (83, 79) and Billy Smith, 14, of Waasis, NB (80, 82).

Alexandre Belanger, 16, of St-Jacques, NB, fired three-under-par for victory in the Juvenile division (71, 70=141). “My driver and my irons were very sharp,” he said. “You have to keep the ball in the fairway – it’s a beautiful course. Calvin Ross was playing very well in the last round with a 69 so it feels very good to win, I’m happy about my play this weekend.” Calvin Ross, 16, of Fredericton, shot 74, 69 (143) to place second while Braeden Burgess, 16, of Petitcodiac, NB, came in third in the division (74, 74=148).

Danek Hadley , 17, of Bathurst, NB, opened with a brilliant 68 which he followed up with a 75 to tie for the lead in Junior Boys at 143 total score with  Joshua Dominie, 19, of Oak Haven, NB, who had carded great rounds of 71, 72 (143). The ensuing playoff was won by Hadley, who said, “I drained a lot of key putts. Mactaquac has always been one of my favourite courses, and it feels good to win, especially in a playoff in front of a big crowd.” Third place on the podium went to Alexandre Paillard, 17, of Edmundston, NB, who shot even-par 73, 71 (144).

15-year-old Laura Jones of Berry Mills, NB, played solid golf to shoot 80, 82 (162) and win the MJT Girls title over Annick Duguay, 17, of Bathurst  (96, 89=185). “I’m really excited to have an MJT win this summer and I can’t wait to play in the Royal Oaks tournament later in the month,” said Jones. “My highlights were my birdie on hole number 14 and that I didn’t lose a ball. I had a lot of fun over the past two days!”           

Divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Laura Jones, Ryan O'Hearn of Waverley, NS, Raj Chettiar of Richmond Hill, ON, and Ryan Rohrback of Oromocto, NB, while in the Sundog Closest-to-the-Pin Competition they were Annick Duguay, Marc-Andre Gaudet of St-Ignace, NB, Alexandre Belanger, and Ryan Rohrback. Golf Town Comeback Awards for best second day improvement in score went to Duguay, Nash Smith of Moncton, NB, Tyler Carroll of Bathurst, and Luke Chase of Anagnce, NB.

Tournament highlights and a photo gallery can be seen here.

The final stop in the province on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is the MJT-PGA Atlantic Canada Junior Champoinship/Golf NB Player of the Year Series at Royal Oaks Golf Club in Moncton on August 23rd and 24th. For more information or to register 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 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