Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 9-10, 2015
Winkler, MB

Great Field Tees Off MJT Manitoba Season at Winkler

Winkler, M.B. – (May 11, 2015) – A full field of 70 young golfers turned out for the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Manitoba’s Season Opener at the Winkler Golf Club in Winkler, MB on May 9th and 10th, excited to be playing some competitive golf again and braving the cold temperatures over the two days. The tournament was also a shortlist qualifier for the IMG Academy Junior World Championships in San Diego, CA, this July.

17 year old Izac Silagy out of Winnipeg was Low Overall Champion and MJT Junior Boys winner after shooting 71-75 (146).  He was able to hold off Stefan Lavallee, 17, from Steinbach by one shot. “I’ve played in MJT events over the past five years and it’s great to finally play a tournament again,” said Silagy. “It’s a honour to win – there are a number of good players and it’s very tough to compete with them.”

Spencer Norrie, 15, from Morden, MB, won his first MJT event with a solid score of 75-74 (149) in the Juvenile Boys division. “I am pretty excited (to win) but I’ve never been more nervous in my life,” he said, stating that he chose to play because ‘Winkler’s a great course and there are always strong competitors here.’

Jonathan Size, 14, from Winnipeg, captured the MJT Bantam boys division shooting 87-77 (164), only one shot over fellow Winnipeg native Sylvain Ruest, 14. It was a great battle by both.

Bailey Bjornson, 11, from Winnipeg, came back from two shots over Braxton Kuntz, 11, also from Winnipeg, to take the new MJT Peewee boys division shooting 83-76 (159). Bjornson, who almost aced the 15th hole, cited his attitude as the key – “I would not have been able to make the comeback and hang in there without it.”  Ryan Blair, 11, who represented the province in the Drive, Chip and Putt at the Masters this year, was solid with a pair of 89’s to finish third.

In the MJT Girls (15-19) Division there was a battle between several players and a playoff was needed to decide the winner.  Veronica Vetesnik, 18, hit her three wood onto the green two feet from the pin on hole number 17 for an eagle, and ended up tied for the lead with Brynn Todd, 17, also from Winnipeg, MB, forcing a playoff which started on the Par 5 first hole.  It didn’t take long as Vetesnik made a birdie and took the title with scores of 81-77 (158).

Kate Gregoire, 14, from Ste. Anne, MB, was able to hold off Reece Carter’s charge on day two to win by a shot with an 88-91 (179) in the new MJT Girls 14 & under division. “My key to winning was to have fun – and to make solid contact with the ball,” said Gregoire, adding that meeting other kids was the highlight of her tournament. “I feel proud and happy to win because it was my first tournament!”

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; Click here for the names of the 18 winners.

Players now shortlisted for the IMG Academy Junior World Championships are Hayley Shanks, Brynn Todd, Bailey Bjornson, Jonathan Size and Izac Silagy. The finalists will be announced once the other qualifiers finish across the country.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in the province is the MJT Prodigy Series at Rossmere Country Club in Winnipeg on June 6th and 7th. There is also a MJT Mini Tour event for players aged 12 and under at Transcona Golf Club in Winnipeg on May 24th. 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 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