Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

June 18-19, 2016
Spruce Grove, AB

Easthope, Farrington and Maxwell qualify for the International Team Challenge (ITC) at MJT Ford Series in Spruce Grove

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                                                                       

Spruce Grove, AB – (June 20, 2016) – The Links at Spruce Grove Golf Course in Spruce Grove, Alberta, was a great test for the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour players this past weekend, as they attempted to qualify for the International Team Challenge (ITC) presented by Freedom 55 Financial at Hunters Pointe Golf Club near Niagara Falls, ON, this September, as well as for individual titles in six age divisions and the chance to win a new Ford Focus SE in a hole-in-one contest. 

The weather was perfect for scoring on Saturday, warm with little wind, but got testy on Sunday with gusts upwards of 60km per hour and rain blowing through.  The golf course was in mint condition, and the players commented on how fun it was to play and how well they were treated by the golf shop staff. The closest shot to the hole-in-one was six feet away – but juniors have another chance to win a 2016 Ford Focus vehicle at the next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in the province - the three-day MJT Ford Series/PGA of Alberta Junior Championship at McKenzie Meadows Golf Club in Calgary on July 18-20. 

The Spruce Grove event saw Ben Farrington, 16, of Fort McMurray, AB, claim a spot on MJT Team Alberta into the International Team Challenge (ITC) and his second MJT victory in as many starts after firing rounds of 73, 74 (147), cruising to a commanding nine shot lead over second place.  “I enjoy the MJT and like the course,” he said afterwards. “All the competitors are good players.  I played consistently all weekend and it feels great to win today.” Jace Ouellette, 16, of Red Deer County, AB, shot (76, 80=156) to secure second place by just one stroke over three players who tied for third - Edmonton native Nicholas Mah, 15, (79, 78), Cam Duffin, 16, of Red Deer, (75, 82), and Ty Steinbring, 16 of  Barrhead, AB (73, 84).                              

A tough battle in the MJT Junior Boys Division saw Brandon Maxwell, 17, of Eckville, AB, triumph with solid scores of 77, 73 (150) for his first MJT title and a spot in the ITC. “I didn’t give up and didn’t let it get to my head,” said Maxwell. “Darin (Bertschi) and I were close and he came back at the end with a couple of birdies.  It feels pretty solid to win, and it’s my first win which is a good confidence booster.” Stony Plain’s Austin Noskiye, 17, shot 75, 76 (151) to fall short of Maxwell by one stroke and coming in third place was Bertschi of Lethbridge, AB, (71-81=152.)

Jordan Cook, 14, of Sylvan Lake, AB, led wire-to-wire in the MJT Bantam Boys Division and won with scores of 81, 83 (164).  “My putting helped me out a lot in today’s win,” he stated afterwards. “The MJT are my favorite tournaments.  I really didn’t feel like I deserved it, but I will take the victory!” Second place finisher was Cole Reulling of Edmonton, who shot  87, 85, while third place went to Dillon Beebe (86, 86) of DeWinton, AB.

MJT Peewee Boys Division champion was Aidyn Huchinson, 12, of St. Albert, AB, who maintained his lead after day one with a clutch 78 on day two to go (81, 78) for a total of 159. After his win, Huchinson said, “My putting was the reason for my victory.  All the competitors had me worried, as we were tied going after the 17th hole.  I played this weekend because I heard it was a great tournament.  It feels great to win because it is my first win.” 11-year-old Colin Pasitney of St. Paul, AB, was right on the heels of first place for both days, but ultimately ended up second with a two-day score of 82, 78 (160). Third place was taken by Luke Quanson, 12, of Edmonton, (82, 80).

The MJT Girls 15-19 winner’s trophy went to Alicia Easthope, 17, of St. Albert, who shot a career low 73 on day one, followed by 82 on the final round for a total score of 155, and commented, “I had a strong first round and a solid short game all weekend.  I was concerned about losing lead after a rough start.  It is exciting to win and I am proud of how I held my mental game together.” Easthope also qualified for the ITC with her win.

14-year-old Stephanie Chelack of Calgary managing to come back on day two to secure a one stroke victory in the MJT U15 Girls Division, shooting 93, 85 for a total of 178. Chelack said after the round, “I came early today and tried to fix the problems that I had yesterday.  It is a good event and it rewards good points towards the MJT National Championship, so it is very exciting to win and I am proud of pulling it together.” Second place went to Kaitlyn Wingnean, 13, of Edmonton, who shot 179 over the two days after leading on day one (90, 89). Her sister, Alexa Wingnean, 11, finished third with a score of (90, 91).

An additional 18 winners, whose names are all posted on the tournament page on www.maplejt.com, were awarded prizes for the Ford Long Drive, Longball Closest-to-the-Pin and Golf Town Comeback Competitions.

For more information on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, 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