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Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA Professionals

Press Release

May 7-8, 2016
Lethbridge, AB

120 Junior Golfers in Paradise at MJT’s Alberta Season Opener MacDougall qualifies for International Junior Masters

Lethbridge, AB. – (May 9, 2016) – A heavily wait-listed field of 120 junior golfers teed off the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Alberta Season Opener last weekend, competing for titles in six divisions at the superb Paradise Canyon Golf Club in Lethbridge on May 7th and 8th.  At Paradise Canyon, wind is the challenger, and it fought the players with gusts to 75km per hour on day two. Lightning in the area then caused a delay with only two holes left, but the golf course staff took great care of the players which resulted in all 36 holes being completed.

Brendan MacDougall, 18, of Calgary, AB, fired excellent rounds of 70-70 (140) to win Low Overall and his second MJT Junior Boys 17-19 title this season, which comes with his second exemption into the 2016 International Junior Masters in East Aurora, New York. MacDougall had a six stroke margin over no less than three joint runners-up: Logan Hill of Red Deer, AB (76, 70), Darin Bertschi of Lethbridge (72, 74), and Jeremy Rose of Calgary (72, 74), and commented, “I had a positive attitude over the weekend and kept things in check. I’m happy with my play and the ability to play well under these difficult circumstances. It feels awesome to win again as I won in BC as well and I could not be happier with my start to this season.”

Carter Graf, 15, of Red Deer, shot 70-72 (142) to edge Chandler McDowell of Springbrook, AB (70, 73=143) for the MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 Champion’s trophy, stating, “My putting made the difference all weekend.  I am very happy with this win - I battled back after a triple today and feel that this event gets my season off to a great start.” Third place in the division went to Ronnie Postnikoff of Medicine Hat, AB, who shot 71, 75 (146).

The MJT Bantam Boys division was won by Caleb Kinch, 14, of Medicine Hat, after he carded solid back-to-back rounds of 74 for a 148 total score. “I drove the ball well today and putted very well,” he said. “I started with a double the first day and played the remaining holes at one under, which is my highlight.  This is my first win, so I’m very excited.” Runner-up was Tysen Johansen of Lethbridge, (76, 77=153) and third spot went to Jordan Cooke of Sylvan Lake, AB (74, 80=154).

Canmore’s Thomas Sluka, 12, followed up his great opening round of 70 with a 79 for a wide winning margin in the MJT Peewee Boys division, noting that his highlight was being below par in a tournament for the first time ever. “I was playing well and then got to number 12, the closest-to-the-pin hole, and hit it to 6 inches, made birdie and got my round going,” he said. “I’ve never played at Paradise Canyon before, and heard lots of good things about it.  It’s the first event in Alberta and was a must play on my schedule.” Second and third spot on the podium went to Bradin Stahl from Priddis, AB (84, 84=168) and Cole Bergheim from Red Deer (84, 87=171).  

In the MJT Girls 15-19 division, Kenna Hughes, 18, of Calgary, shot solid scores of 79, 75 (154) to hold off a trio of tough competitors who finished all tied at 157 (Reese Martin of Brooks, AB, with Calgarians Annabelle Ackroyd and Kehler Koss) and win the title. “I stayed calm considering the conditions, and played one shot at a time,” said Hughes. “My tournament highlight was a long par save on 16 to keep my round going.  I’m extremely happy with how I played and the win feels great.”

The MJT Girls 14 and Under title went to Camryn Frasz, 14, of Brooks, who fired 85, 89 (174) for the victory, and said afterwards, “I played the best I could and made some good shots.  It was the first time I broke 90 in a tournament and did it both days, so I’m very happy with my performance.” Second and third in the division went to Calgarians Grace Bell (87, 91=178) and MacKenzie Baustad (94, 86=180).

A total of 18 prizes were also awarded to Long Drive, Closest-to-the-Pin and Golf Town Comeback Winners in the tournament whose names are all listed on the tournament page on the MJT website.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in Alberta is the MJT IMG Academy Junior Worlds Qualifier at Carstairs Golf Club in Carstairs on May 14th and 15th. 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, TuGo, Cleveland Golf, Srixon, and Aquafina, in addition to valued Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts more than 60 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