Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

June 27-28, 2015
Yorkton, SK

Johnson triumphs over stellar MJT field in Yorkton

Yorkton, SK – (June 29, 2015) – A total of 74 of the Prairie’s top junior golfers competed for titles in six age divisions and the chance to be shortlisted for MJT Team Canada to the Srixon International Junior Classic in Australia in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s MJT Team Canada Qualifier/Golf SK Order of Merit Series at Deer Park Municipal Golf Course in Yorkton, SK, on June 27-28. They were challenged by hot weather and a tough course which is set to host both the Golf Saskatchewan Provincial Junior Championships and the Golf Canada Junior Girls Championship in the coming weeks.

A competitive MJT Juvenile Boys division saw some very solid scores, with Low Overall for the entire field going to local Kade Johnson, 16, of Yorkton, who defeated Roman Timmerman, 16, of Saskatoon, SK, by just two strokes in a very tight race. Tied after the first day, Johnson was able to come out the victor by shooting under par in the second round (72-70=142). “I was able to be four-under through 13 holes on the last day,” said Johnson, “and I was able to prepare lots for this tournament since it was at my home course.”

The MJT Junior Boys champion was 17-year-old Carson Harcourt of Kipling, SK, who came out victorious in a very tight race to win by two strokes over Stacey Farron Genaille of Mafeking, MB. Harcourt, who shot 72-74 (146) to collect his first MJT victory of the 2015 season, commented, “I made a 60 foot putt for birdie on hole 16 to get into a tie for the lead. I putted well and hit the ball well off the tee.” He added that he played in this tournament because he enjoys playing the MJT tour and he wanted practice for the provincial championship.

Saskatoon native Steven Duchsher, 14, made an astounding comeback on the second day shooting an 84-68 (152), a solid enough improvement to win him the comeback award plus the MJT Bantam Boys title. Edging out the competition by just one stroke, Duchsher said, “My 68 on the second day was my highlight. I just love being with my friends and playing tournament golf. It feels very good to get the first win of the year.”

In the MJT Girls 15-19 division, Camryn Roadley, 16, of Winnipeg, MB, pulled off her second victory of the year, coming out on top of competitor and fellow Winnipeg resident Brynn Todd with solid scores of 85-72 (157). Roadley said the key to her success in the event was her putting, and the highlight of the two rounds was her eagle on hole two on the second day.

Braxton Kuntz, 11, of Winnipeg, won the MJT Peewee Boys 12 and under title after shooting 82-75 (161) to win by a whopping 14 strokes on the way to his second MJT victory of the season. Kuntz was happy with his win, saying his high point was “hitting the ball to two feet on hole eight, the short par three."

The 18 divisional winners of the Skills Competitions which ran during the tournament were as follows:

Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition winners:

U15 Girls: Delihja Sparvier • Regina, SK
Girls: Camryn Roadley • Glendale GC • Winnipeg, MB
Peewee Boys: Boston Walker • Carnduff • Carnduff, SK
Bantam Boys: Jordan Bean • Wildwood GC • Saskatoon, SK
Juvenile Boys: Matt Bean • Riverside GC • Saskatoon, SK
Junior Boys: Eric Nielsen • Riverside CC • Saskatoon, SK

Sligo Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners:

U15 Girls: Hallie Burke • Rocanville • Rocanville, SK
Girls: Camryn Roadley • Glendale GC • Winnipeg, MB
Peewee Boys: Braxton Kuntz • Breezy Bend GC • Winnipeg, MB
Bantam Boys: Josh Shuster • PRGC & EGCC • Winnipeg, MB
Juvenile Boys: Rylan Lukey • Saskatoon G&CC • Saskatoon, SK
Junior Boys: Eric Nielsen • Riverside CC • Saskatoon, SK

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

U15 Girls: Delihja Sparvier • Regina, SK
Girls: Sydney Lautenslager • Regina, SK
Peewee Boys: Cort Tunall • Kindersley • Kindersley, SK
Bantam Boys: Steven Duchscher • Riverside Golf and Country Club • Saskatoon, SK
Juvenile Boys: Kenley Lewis • St. Walburg • Onion Lake, SK
Junior Boys: Tyrell Wees • Wascana Country Club • Regina, SK

Age -eligible players now shortlisted for MJT Team Canada to Australia are Kade Johnson and Camryn Roadley. Official invitations will be sent out once qualifying is complete during the regular season.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour event in Saskatchewan is the MJT-CPGA of SK/Golf SK Order of Merit Series at the Willows Golf and Country Club in Saskatoon, July 2-3, which is also a qualifier for the North American Junior Amateur Championship (NAJA), as well as the MJT International Players Championship 2016. For more information please visit www.maplejt.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