Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 18-19, 2015
Jasper, AB

Meppem goes 5-under to win MJT Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge event

Jasper, AB– (August 20, 2015) – On August 18th and 19th, young golfers on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour were lucky enough to play the number-one ranked resort golf course in Canada, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course in Jasper, AB, where six division champions were crowned in the race to qualify via MJT order of merit points for the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship at Reunion Resort in Florida this November. The Jasper course was in amazing shape, the views were breathtaking and the weather was perfect, eliciting many comments from players and parents on the almost untouched and non-commercialized beauty of the park.

Berkeley Meppem of the MJT Juvenile Boys division was the star of the show, firing phenomenal back-to-back under-par rounds of 68-69 (137) to go Low Overall in the tournament for his first-ever MJT victory. The 16-year-old from Okotoks, AB, held off former champion, 15-year-old Ronnie Postnikoff of Medicine Hat, AB, who shot rock-solid rounds of 71-73 (144). Meppem said, “It feels great to win as I haven’t been playing very well this year. This was my lowest round ever.” Third place in the division was taken by Jake Huculak, 16, of Jasper, AB, who shot 76-70 (146).

Zack Thys of Spruce Grove, AB, sealed off his junior career by taking the MJT Junior Division title, also his first MJT win. The 19-year-old carded two great scores over the two days, going 73-74 (147) to hold off hard-charging Red Deer native Grant Numrich, who came back with a sizzling 69 on day two after 82 on day one (151 total score). Thys said, “It’s relieving to finally win, I have wanted to win for so long and I am glad to finally win in my last junior event ever.”  Alec Simpson, 17, from Calgary, was one shot behind Numrich to place third, going 76-76 (152).

The MJT Bantam Boys division saw Jordan Cooke, 14, of Sylvan Lake, AB, winning by a commanding 19 strokes with scores of 77-72 (149). “This is my first win and it is a great accomplishment and a real step up! It’s been a great year,” said Cooke.  14-year-old Calgarian Mitchell McQuiggin shot 82-86 (168) for second place in the division.

Thomas Sluka, 12, from Canmore, AB, notched up his second win of the year in the MJT Peewee Boys division thanks to solid rounds of 77-73 (150).  “73 is my lowest tournament round ever!” he said. Second place was won by Tate Bonertz, 12, from Calgary, who shot 79-86 (165), tailed closely by both Brady Brenner of Calgary (82-84=166), and Tyson Dyck of Abbotsford, BC (82-84=166).

In the MJT Girls 15-19 division, Clare McMahon of Red Deer won her second MJT event of the season with a two day score of 80-76 (156). The 17-year-old held off twin sisters Shaye and Daria Leidenius, 18-year olds from Ponoka, AB. Shaye shot a solid 83-77 (160) to come second, while Daria shot 84-77 (161) to place third. McMahon said about her win “I am really excited about my win today. There was good competition in the field today and I feel blessed in how I played the last two days.”

Grace Cho, 14, of Edmonton, AB, shot 98-91 to beat Alanna Makarchuk, 12, of Taber, AB (120-119), for the MJT Girls U15 title. “It is a good feeling winning in the sport that you like to play,” said Cho. “I had a good attitude out there.”         

The divisional winners of the on-course competitions were as follows:

Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition:

U15 Girls: Alanna Makarchuk • Taber Golf Club • Taber, AB
15-19 Girls: Lauren Koenig • Redcliff Riverview GC • Redcliff, AB
Peewee Boys: Brady Brenner • Silverwing Links • Calgary, AB
Bantam Boys: Andrew Makarchuk • Taber Golf Club • Taber, AB
Juvenile Boys: Colton Leslie • Camrose golf course • Camrose, AB
Junior Boys: Christen Rose • Gunby Ranch Debolt • Crooked Creek, AB

Sligo Closest-to-the-Pin Competition:

U15 Girls: Grace Cho • Edmonton, AB
15-19 Girls: Lauren Koenig • Redcliff Riverview GC • Redcliff, AB
Peewee Boys: Tyson Dyck • Ledgeview GC • Abbotsford, BC
Juvenile Boys: Nathan Stewart • River Spirit • Calgary, AB
Junior Boys: Ethan Rimmer • Fort McMurray Golf Club • Fort McMurray, AB

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

U15 Girls: Grace Cho • Edmonton, AB
15-19 Girls: Teagan Macza • Canyon Meadows Golf & CC • Calgary, AB
Peewee Boys: Gavin Barr • Fort McMurray Golf Club • Fort McMurray, AB
Bantam Boys: Daniel Theal • Pinebrook Golf & Country Club • Calgary, AB
Juvenile Boys: Nathan Stewart • River Spirit • Calgary, AB

MJT members in the province have now earned valuable Cleveland Golf Order of Merit (OOM) points throughout the season and await invitations to the prestigious MJT Boston Pizza National Championship at Reunion Golf Resort, Kissimmeee, FLA, November 6-8, where a number of Division 1 college coaches will be in attendance. 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