Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

June 29-30, 2015
Kelowna, BC

Taylor shoots scorching six-under-par at MJT Ford Series in Kelowna - Northview Golf Club Team wins Interclub Competition

Kelowna, BC – (July 1, 2015) – Searing temperatures seemed to bring out some scorching scores during the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Ford Series at The Harvest Golf Club in Kelowna, BC, this past week, where junior golfers battled for division titles, international exemptions, and a team interclub victory on June 29th and 30th .

A sizzling score of 68 in the fierce heat, followed up by an impressive 70 on day two, secured Low Overall and the MJT Junior Boys title for local MJT veteran, Lionel Taylor, 19, of Kelowna, BC (68,70=138), who managed to hold off past champion, Steven Lee, 19, also of Kelowna, who had shot excellent rounds of 69, 71 (140). “I didn’t make very many mistakes, and made about five forty-footers,” Taylor said. “I feel really good about winning – I’ve been up there every year and it was nice to win.” Third place in Junior Boys went to Matthew Kreutz, 18, of Coldstream, BC, who came in at even par for the two days (71, 73=144).      

After starting out four shots back on day two, Marcus Apchin, 16, of Kelowna, pulled ahead and won the MJT Juvenile Boys title, firing 76, 74 (150) for a three-stroke victory over runner-up Mitchell Thiessen, 16, of Chilliwack, BC (72, 81=153). “My putting saved me lots during these two days. Hopefully this win is the first of many to come!” Apchin said. Tanner Marshall, 15, of Peachland, BC, shot a solid final round of 72 to place third in the division (82, 72=154)

Winning his first two-day tournament ever was MJT newcomer Matt Hopley, 13, of Kelowna, who carded excellent scores of 72, 75 (147) to edge Braeden Cooper, 14, of Vernon, BC (77, 71=148) for the MJT Bantam Boys title. “I hit 30 greens and was confident throughout the tournament,” said Hopley. “The highlight for me was having the chance to shoot under par on the first day which I had never done before.” Third place in Bantam boys went to Philipp Kaiser, 14, of Kelowna, who shot back-to-back rounds of 82 (164 total).        

Two 12-year-old Calgary, Alberta boys were on the MJT Peewee Boys podium, after Cooper Lindberg shot 73, 83 (156) for the win, and Richard Dou (84, 77=161) tied for second with eight-year-old Ryan Vest of Vernon, who shot phenomenal scores for his age of 83, 78 (161). Lindberg cited his highlight as making a big birdie putt on hole 16. “It felt very good (to win) and I’m proud of myself.”

Several scores in the 70’s were recorded in the Girls division, where rock-solid rounds of 74-74 (148) awarded a three stroke victory to MJT veteran Haley Hewer, 18, of Penticton, BC. “I had a great group of girls to play with,” she said. “I love this golf course and this is my first win, so it feels pretty great!” Lauren Rutherglen, 18, of Kelowna, came second (77, 74=151) and there was a tie for third place at 153 total score between Rhiannon Jones, 17, of Westbank, BC (77, 76) and Tiegan Taylor, 16, of Kelowna, (76, 77).                             

The team of Morgan Benko, Noah Kerins and Justin Gaukel from Northview Golf and Country Club in Surrey, BC, won the MJT Interclub part of the tournament with a total net score of 276, earning a free entry into the MJT Ford Series at Predator Ridge Golf Resort in Vernon this August as a result.

In addition, Apchin and Hewer both won age–specific exemptions into the North American Junior Amateur in Arizona, USA, this December, and divisional winners of the Long Drive, Closest-to-the-Pin and Comeback awards were as follows:

Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition winners:

Girls: Anastasia Stolzenberg • Newlands Golf Course • Langley, AB
Peewee Boys: Richard Dou • River Spirit GC • Calgary, AB
Bantam Boys: Matt Hopley • Gallaghers Canyon • Kelowna , BC
Juvenile Boys: Justin Gaukel • Northview Golf & Country Club • Surrey, BC
Junior Boys: Jared Larsen • Vernon Golf and Country Club • Vernon, BC

Sligo Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners:

Girls: Tiegan Taylor • Kelowna G&CC • Kelowna, BC
Peewee Boys: Matt Altwasser • Springbank Links • Calgary, AB
Bantam Boys: Philipp Kaiser • Kelowna Golf and Country Club • Kelowna, BC
Juvenile Boys: Davide Kaiser • Kelowna Golf and Country Club • Kelowna, BC
Junior Boys: Steven Lee • Millwood G&CC • Kelowna, BC

Golf Town Comeback Award winners for best second day improvement in score:

Girls: Lauren Rutherglen • The Harvest GC • Kelowna, BC
Peewee Boys: Marshall Smith • Glencoe Golf and Country Club • Calgary, AB
Bantam Boys: Braeden Cooper • Vernon G&CC • Vernon, BC
Juvenile Boys: Tanner Marshall • Two eagles • Peachland, BC
Junior Boys: Morgan Benko • Northview G&CC • Cloverdale, BC

Detailed highlights of the MJT Ford Series at The Harvest Golf Club, including a photo gallery, can be found online.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in British Columbia is the MJT Odlum Brown Classic- PGA of BC Junior Championship at Northview Golf and Country Club on July 27th, 28th and 29th, which is a qualifier for the MJT Indian Wells International Players Championship 2015. For more information 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 Canada’s 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 Cleveland Golf, Srixon, Ford, Mr. Lube, Golf Town and Travel Underwriters, in addition to valued Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts more than 60 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 Canadian PGA 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. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Elaine Denton, MJT edenton@maplejt.com 1-877-859-GOLF  www.maplejt.com.