Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 10-11, 2015
Vernon, BC

69’s seal second MJT victories for Barrie and Taylor at Predator Ridge

Vernon, BC – (August 12, 2015) – Both Mackenzie Barrie and Lionel Taylor ended their junior careers on a high with repeat MJT victories at the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Ford Series at Predator Ridge Golf Resort in Vernon, BC, on August 10th and 11th . Scores were as hot as the weather, highlighted by a hole-in-one by Zach Gardner of Penticton, BC, who aced the fourth hole and won a Miura Gift Certificate for his achievement.

Lionel Taylor, 19, out of Kelowna, BC, went low overall in the tournament in addition to capturing his second MJT Junior Boys trophy in as many starts with a stellar two day score of 72-69 (141), fending off fellow Kelowna resident Drew Harvie and Calgary native Chris Murray who both shot 74-73 (147).  “Putting saved me when I was struggling,” Taylor said, adding, “My birdies on 16 and 17 coming in to shoot 69 were my highlight. This was my last MJT and it feels great to win.”        

Vernon’s Mackenzie Barrie, 19, battled it out with Penticton native, 18-year-old Haley Hewer, for the MJT Girls 15-19 division title. Trailing Hewer by four strokes after day one, Barrie made a stellar comeback on day two and improved her score by ten strokes (79-69=148) to repeat as champion in this event and win her last junior tournament by one over Hewer’s 75-74 (149). “I felt confident playing on my home course and I just came off of a victory last week,” said Barrie.

MJT Juvenile Boys division winner was veteran Mitchell Theissen, 16, of Chilliwack, BC, who won his second MJT title of the year with solid play both days shooting 75-74 (149) to secure a five stroke lead. “My bunker play the second day saved me and I made two pars out of the three bunkers I was in,” he said. “The MJT always hosts great tournaments and I love playing Predator Ridge. I am excited to come from behind to win.” It was a tight race for second with Brandon Chai of Coldstream, BC, Samuel Hamelin of Stettler, AB, and Parker Wadsworth of Vernon, tying for second with scores of 154.

MJT newcomer, 14-year-old George Wilkins of Lake Country, BC, cruised to his first victory in the MJT Bantam Boys division, shooting an outstanding two day score of 72-71 (143) to win by four strokes. Wilkins’ second day under-par round was enough to fend off Jackson Jacob of Fort Langley, BC, who also fired great scores going 73-74 (147). When asked about how it felt to win his division, Wilkins said, “Happy, because I didn’t think I would be as good as some of the other players.”

Cooper Lindberg in Peewee Boys managed to edge out a two-stroke victory after being tied on day one with 9-year-old Ryan Vest from Vernon. Lindberg, a 12-year-old Calgarian, shot 77-74 (151) and said, “My putting was consistent. I felt really good that I am improving.”

The MJT Interclub competition which ran in conjunction with the tournament was won by Team Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club, while divisional winners of the on-course competitions were as follows:

Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition winners:

15-19 Girls: Veronica Vetesnik • Reunion • Winnipeg, MB
Peewee Boys: Ryan Vest • Spallumcheen Golf & CC • Vernon, BC
Bantam Boys: George Wilkins • Predator Ridge • Lake Country, BC
Juvenile Boys: Nik Federko • Two Eagles • Kelowna, BC
Junior Boys: Matthew Cook • Priddis Greens • Calgary, AB

Sligo Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners:

15-19 Girls: Tiegan Taylor • Kelowna G&CC • Kelowna, BC
Peewee Boys: Ryan Vest • Spallumcheen Golf & CC • Vernon, BC
Bantam Boys: Braeden Cooper • Vernon G&CC • Vernon, BC
Juvenile Boys: Kyle Henrikson • Pitt Meadows Golf Club • Maple Ridge, BC
Junior Boys: Chris Murray • Calgary, AB

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

15-19 Girls: Tiegan Taylor • Kelowna G&CC • Kelowna, BC
Peewee Boys: Charlie Gingras • Glencoe • Calgary, AB
Bantam Boys: Adam Niles • Rivershore Golf • Kamloops, BC
Juvenile Boys: Davide Kaiser • Kelowna Golf and Country Club • Kelowna, BC
Junior Boys: Cole Radbourne • Grande Prairie Golf and Country Club • Grande Prairie, AB

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour event in British Columbia is the MJT Ford Series at Hazelmere Golf and Tennis Club in Surrey, B.C, which is also a double qualifier for the IMG Academy Junior World Championship – Florida Challenge 2015, as well as the MJT International Players Championship. 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 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 Tugo, 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