Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

June 13-14, 2015
Olds, AB

Kowalchuk low overall in MJT Mountain View Credit Union Classic

Olds, AB – (June 15, 2015) – Gina Kowalchuk, 19, of Lethbridge, AB, shot an even-par final round of 72 to win the MJT Girls 15-19 division title and low overall in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Mountain View Credit Union Classic at Olds Central Highlands Golf Club in Olds, AB, which played out in tough, cold and wet conditions on June 13th and 14th.

Kowalchuk, a five-year MJT veteran, said that her putts were rolling better on day two (80, 72=152), adding, “This win gives me confidence in my game.” 

In the younger Girls 14 and under division, 11-year-old Tillie Claggett of Calgary, AB, won with scores of 86, 96 (182), and cited her chipped-in birdie on hole number 18 on day one as her highlight.

12-year-old Cooper Lindberg of Calgary won the MJT Peewee Boys 12 and under title by ten strokes after shooting 87,78 (165). “I was consistent, even in the rain,” he said. “It wasn’t the best score but really tough conditions. On the last hole, I sunk a long putt for birdie. I’ve finished second a couple of times but now I’ve won – it feels really nice.”  

Ethan de Graaf, 14, of Edmonton, AB, claimed the MJT Bantam Boys 13-14 title by a four stroke margin. “I had a good first day cushion so played easier the second day,” said de Graaf, who shot 75, 83 (158). “I’ve had a couple of chances, but it feels great to finally win.”

The MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 title went to Zach Rivard, 16, of Calgary, who fired back-to-back 77s for a three-stroke victory in a fiercely competitive division. “I minimized my mistakes and when I made one I recovered pretty well,’ he said. “This is my first win! My dad has been pushing me for 13 years – this one is for him.”

The sixth and final division title was won by Grant Numrich, 17, of Red Deer, AB, who edged out a one-stroke victory in the MJT Junior Boys 17-19 division with scores of 75, 78 (153), racking up his second win at this Spruce Grove event in three years. “I came back after a poor start, and made some clutch putts today as I knew it was close,” he said. “I plan to get out to more MJT events before heading off to   next year.”

The Mountain View Credit Union-sponsored tournament was also a qualifier for MJT Team Canada to Australia, which will compete in the Srixon International Junior Classic this fall. Players now shortlisted for spots are Rivard and Numrich. The finalists will be announced once the other qualifiers finish across the country.

Each division had a Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition, a Sligo Closest-to-the-Pin Competition and a Golf Town Comeback Award for best second day improvement in score, and below are names of the 18 winners.

Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition Winners

U15 Girls: Tillie Claggett • Pinebrook • Calgary, AB
Girls: Daria Leidenius • Wolf Creek Golf Resort • Ponoka, AB
Peewee Boys: Cooper Lindberg • Springbank Links • Calgary, AB
Bantam Boys: Tysen Johansen • Paradise Canyon • Lethbridge, AB
Juvenile Boys: Chase Broderson • Lacombe Golf & Country Club • Lacombe, AB
Junior Boys: Christopher Zeglen • Bearspaw CC • Calgary, AB

Sligo Closest-to-the-Pin Competition Winners

U15 Girls: Tillie Claggett • Pinebrook • Calgary, AB
Girls: Shaye Leidenius • Wolf Creek Golf Club • Ponoka, AB
Peewee Boys: Cooper Lindberg • Springbank Links • Calgary, AB
Bantam Boys: Cole Bateman • McKenzie Meadows • Calgary, AB
Juvenile Boys: Brandon Maxwell • Pinehills • Rocky Mountain House, AB
Junior Boys: James Robillard • Sandpiper G&CC • St. Albert, AB

Golf Town Comeback Award Winners

U15 Girls: Sydney Scraba • Canyon Meadows • Calgary, AB
Girls: Gina Kowalchuk • Henderson Lake Golf Course • Lethbridge, AB
Peewee Boys: Cooper Lindberg • Springbank Links • Calgary, AB
Bantam Boys: Nick Sprovieri • Cottonwood GCC • Calgary, AB
Juvenile Boys: Keighton McNab • The Willows G&CC • Saskatoon, SK
Junior Boys: Eric Hollman • Spruce Grove, AB

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in Alberta is this coming weekend – the MJT Ford Series at The Links at Spruce Grove Golf Club in Spruce Grove, AB, June 20th and 21st, which is still open for registration; for more information please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.

About Mountain View Credit Union:

Mountain View Credit Union is a proud supporter of a variety of community activities and groups. This Credit Union supports such groups directly through donations or the involvement of Credit Union staff and management. We consider this to be important in terms of assisting in the growth and development of Delia, Crossfield, Linden, Carbon, Morrin, Didsbury, Olds, Sundre, Cremona and Beiseker. We also provide scholarships and sponsorships to high school students in the communities we serve. Mountain View Credit Union is committed to providing support and assistance to non-profit community organizations and worthwhile community events. For more information visit www.mvcu.ca

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 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: Elaine Denton, Director of Marketing and Administration edenton@maplejt.com 1-877-859-GOLF