Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 23-24, 2015
Banff, AB

Beautiful Banff hosts 95 Juniors for MJT Bow Valley Credit Union Classic Every western province represented in division champions

Banff, AB – (May 25, 2015) – The spectacular scenery of iconic Banff Springs Golf Course in Banff, Alberta, created a dramatic backdrop for every shot played in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s MJT Bow Valley Credit Union Classic on May 23rd and 24th. A wait-listed field of 95 young golfers, who travelled to the two-day tournament from far and wide in Western Canada, were competing for titles in six divisions plus the chance to qualify for the new MJT International Team Challenge at Hunters Pointe Golf Club in Niagara Falls, ON, this September.

For the past three years Bow Valley Credit Union has sponsored this event, which saw every western province represented among the champions. Manitoba’s Garrett Kristjanson, 19, of Warren, fired an excellent final round score of 69 to win Low Overall and the MJT Bow Valley Credit Union Classic Junior Boys 17-19 title (74-69=143) by two strokes over Darin Bertschi of Lethbridge, AB (73-73=146).

Hot scoring continued in the Juvenile Boys 15-16 division where Saskatchewan’s Matt Bean, 16, of Saskatoon, shot 72-73 (145) for his first MJT title over a three-way tie for second place at 152 total score between Colton Hamm of Calgary, AB, Michael Valk of Medicine Hat, AB, and Justin Loro of Calgary. “This course is so beautiful and a pleasure to play,” said Bean. “It’s a great feeling to win my first tournament – it’s a large confidence boost.”

Albertan Carter Graf, 14, of Red Deer, put together rock solid rounds of 74-71 (145) to claim the MJT Bow Valley Credit Union Bantam Boys 13-14 title by four strokes over Connor Ackroyd of St. Albert (73-76=149). “My highlight was making birdie on the final two holes to win,” summed up Graf.

In the Girls 15-19 division, it was terrific to see British Columbia’s Rachelle Nielsen, 18, of Summerland, card back-to-back rounds of 79 to win her first MJT, holding off the Leidenius sisters, Daria (81-81) and Shaye (79-84) from Ponoka, AB. Nielsen, who is an eight-year MJT veteran, said, “I have played this event before and I enjoy Banff Springs. This is my first MJT win and I am very excited and happy to have one now!”

The MJT Girls U15 title went to Amanda Graham, 14, of Canmore, AB, who shot 86, 85 (171) to beat Sydney Scraba of Calgary for the title. “I stayed positive and focused on each shot one at a time,” said Graham. “It feels wonderful to win and I hope to improve as the season goes along.”

Thomas Sluka, 11, of Canmore, won the MJT Bow Valley Credit Union Classic Peewee Boys 12 and under title after shooting 79, 81 (160) to hold off both Carson Rody of Calgary (80, 86) and Luke Quanson of Edmonton, AB (84, 82) who tied for second place at 166. “Getting an eagle on the par five ninth hole was my highlight,” said Sluka. “To win feels amazing!”                                   

Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition winners:

U15 Girls: Sydney Scraba • Canyon Meadows • Calgary, AB
Girls: Daria Leidenius • Wolf Creek Golf Resort • Ponoka, AB
Peewee Boys: Devin Kucy • Camrose Golf Club • Camrose, AB
Bantam Boys: Jack Baldwin • Pinebrook Golf &CC • Calgary, AB
Juvenile Boys: Noah Nagle • Bearspaw Country Club • Calgary, AB
Junior Boys: Drew Harvie • Kelowna Golf & CC • Kelowna , BC

Sligo Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners:

U15 Girls: Amanda Graham • Canmore Golf & Curling Club • Canmore, AB
Girls: Taylor Stone • Pinebrook Golf and CC • Calgary, AB
Peewee Boys: Devin Kucy • Camrose Golf Club • Camrose, AB
Bantam Boys: Bradley McKeating • Bearspaw CC • Calgary, AB
Juvenile Boys: Matt Bean • Riverside GC • Saskatoon, SK
Junior Boys: Jeff Masse • Lethbridge Country Club • Lethbridge, AB

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

U15 Girls: Sydney Scraba • Canyon Meadows • Calgary, AB
Girls: Sydney Weber • Carstairs Golf Club • Carstairs, AB
Peewee Boys: Luke Quanson • The Derrick Golf and Winter Club • Edmonton, AB
Bantam Boys: Andrew Makarchuk • Taber Golf Club • Taber, AB
Juvenile Boys: Justice Stella • CNP Golf Club • Blairmore , AB
Junior Boys: Christopher Zeglen • Bearspaw CC • Calgary, AB

Age -eligible players now shortlisted for the MJT International Team Challenge in Niagara Falls, ON, are Darin Bertschi, Matt bean and Rachelle Nielsen. Official invitations will be sent out once qualifying is complete during the regular season.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour event in Alberta is the MJT Mountain View Credit Union Classic at Olds Central Highlands Golf Club in Olds on June 13th and 14th, 2015, a qualifier for MJT Team Canada to the Srixon International Junior Classic in Australia this October. For more information or to register please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.

About Bow Valley Credit Union:

Bow Valley Credit Union, coming up on 60 years, has been providing financial services to members in the Bow Valley corridor. Bow Valley Credit Union’s six branches serve over 9,500 members in Airdrie, Banff, Calgary, Canmore and Cochrane. The credit union has prospered by knowing and responding to the unique needs of urban centers along the Bow Valley corridor. The credit union’s expertise in the unique needs of their market is unsurpassed. To ensure the continued success of its members and communities, Bow Valley Credit Union provides a full range of financial services that help individuals and their families – as well as local entrepreneurs – get ahead and stay ahead. For more information visit www.bowvalleycu.com.

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