Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 22-23, 2016
Banff, AB

Fort McMurray player rises like a Phoenix to win MJT Banff event

Banff, AB – (May 24, 2015) – The spectacular scenery of iconic Banff Springs Golf Course in Banff, Alberta, created a dramatic backdrop for every shot played in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s MJT Srixon Series on May 22nd and 23rd, where a packed field of 97 young golfers who had travelled to the two-day tournament from far and wide in Western Canada were competing for titles in six divisions plus the chance to qualify for the MJT International Players Championship (IPC) presented by Miura Golf at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Jasper, AB, this August.

Fort McMurray’s Ben Farrington,15, rose like a Phoenix from the ashes of his home town to the top of the field with an outstanding five-under-par final round of 67 and tied for Low Overall at 140 total score with last year’s champion, Matt Bean, 17, of Canmore, AB, who also blazed around the course shooting stellar scores of 72-68. Farrington won the MJT Juvenile Boys title, Bean the MJT Junior Boys title, and both receive automatic exemptions into the IPC event.

“It feels great to win my first MJT event on such a beautiful golf course like Banff Springs,” said Farrington. “It was also the first time I shot in the 60’s in an MJT event which is special...the highlight of the tournament for me was making a 20ft eagle putt on the 9th hole (which was my 15th) and being able to close out with three pars.”

Bean commented, “I started with a birdie on the first hole both days - having my three wood dialed in enabled me to hit it on almost every par four and five this weekend. I won this event last year and this year I had the boys (friends) from Saskatoon out to play in the tournament.  It’s been a blast having them here for the long weekend and can’t wait for next year.”

Runner-up to Farrington in Juvenile Boys was Brandon Chai, 15, of Coldstream, BC, who shot even par at 70, 74 (144) and third spot was scooped by Connor Dunlop, 16, of Strathmore, AB (78, 73=151). Runner-up to Bean in Junior Boys was MJT veteran Drew Harvie, 18, of Kelowna, BC, after he finished with fine scores of 73, 72 (145) and third place went to Austin Morrison, 17, of Lloydminster, AB (77, 72=149).

A super-competitive MJT Bantam Boys division witnessed Cooper Lindberg, 13, of Calgary, AB, card back-to-back rounds of 75 (150 total) to hold off Richard Dou, 13, also of Calgary (76, 77=153), for the title.       There was a three-way tie for third place at 155 total score between Thomas Sluka of Canmore (82, 73), William Bell of Calgary (77, 78) and Carson Rody of Calgary (75, 80).

Charlie Gingras, 12, of Calgary, won his first MJT Peewee Boys title after he carded solid scores of 84, 85 (169). Runner-up was Spence Matson, 12, of Lethbridge, AB, who shot 100, 96 in his first MJT multi-day tournament outing, and 9-year-old Tate Bruggeman of Edmonton, AB, came third (106, 107) in his second MJT event.     

The MJT Girls 15–19 title and an IPC exemption was won by Clare McMahon, 17, of Red Deer, AB, after she fired 79, 73 (152) for a three stroke victory over Daria Leidenius, 19, of Ponoka, AB (78, 77=155). Taylor Stone, 16, of Calgary, finished in third place with consistent scores of 78, 78 (156).

Edmonton players dominated the younger Girls U15 division where Jenna Bruggeman, 12, shot 86, 83 (169) for victory. “Golf is my favorite thing to do because unlike other sports you have to stay focused for four hours where other sports it’s a minute and it’s over,” she said afterwards. “I’ve never won an MJT tournament before or shot such a good round in a tournament so I am very excited!” Kaitlyn Wingnean, 13, had to settle for second place with scores of 93, 84 (177) while her 11-year-old sister, Alexa Wingnean (98-82), tied for third at 180 total score with Grace Bell, 12, of Calgary (95, 85)

Eighteen 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 multi-day Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in Alberta is the MJT Srixon Series at River Bend Golf Course in Red Deer on June 11th and 12th, a shortlist qualifier for MJT Team Canada to the SRIXON International Junior Classic in Australia.  For more information or to register, 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.

About Srixon: Srixon is part of a worldwide brand of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI), a golf equipment company with a 70-year winning tradition and is make headlines as one of the fastest growing golf ball and golf club brands in the United States. Srixon is the Official Golf Ball of the MJT. See www.srixon.com.

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