Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 8-9, 2016
Olds, AB

Playoffs needed to determine direct exemptions into MJT National Championship

Old, AB – (August 10, 2016) –  Six junior golfers had to battle for the final victory and direct exemptions into the MJT National Championship after they tied for the lead in their respective divisions in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Mountain View Credit Union Classic at Olds Golf Club in Olds, Alberta, on August 8 and 9.

With a total score of 149, four players tied in the MJT Junior Boys division in the Mountain View Credit Union-sponsored event: Jace Ouellette, 17, of Red Deer County, AB (75, 74), Zach Rivard, 17, of Calgary, AB (77, 72), James Robillard, 18, of St. Albert, AB (75, 74) and Logan Hill, 19, of Red Deer, AB (74, 75). It took a four-hole playoff for Jace Ouelette to win the title and a direct spot in the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship at The Legacy Golf Resort in Phoenix, AZ, this November.

“It feels great to win (the playoff) after going plus-four the last two holes and blowing the lead,” said Ouelette. “All I was trying to think about on 18 was to not knock one out of bounds. I am excited about the National Championship invite - that was a main goal for me at the start of the year.”

Two players tied for the lead in the MJT Bantam Boys division, resulting in a playoff between Cole Bateman, 14, of Calgary, (84, 74=158) and Thomas Sluka, 13, of Canmore, AB (78, 80=158). Bateman defeated Sluka on the fourth playoff hole, and said, “It feels amazing to win. I would love to be invited to the MJT National Championship.”

In the MJT Juvenile Boys division, Ronnie Postnikoff, 16, of Medicine Hat, AB, fired rounds of 75, 73 (148) for a one-stroke victory over runner-up Brady McKinlay, 15, of Lacombe, AB (76, 73=149). “It feels great to win,” said Postnikoff. “I have not played well this year it was nice to make something happen and gain some confidence. I didn’t know how we were coming down the stretch but I knew we were close. I played this event to try to get into the National Championship.”

11-year-old Bradin Stahl of Priddis, AB, claimed the MJT Peewee Boys title after he shot 78, 74 (152). He stated afterwards, “It feels great to win, it is my first MJT win ever. I think I won because I have been working hard every day and my parents push me every day. I really needed OOM (Order of Merit) points for the National Championship invite, and my parents said if I play well good things will come.” Runner-up in this division was Cort Tunall, 12, of Kindersley, SK, who carded rounds of 79, 80 (159).

The MJT Girls 15-19 division was won by Lauren Koenig, 16, of Redcliff, AB, who secured a three stroke winning margin over runner-up Sydney Scraba with scores of 75, 81 (156). “I hit the ball well all week,” said Koenig afterwards. “75 in the first round is my lowest career round in a tournament to date.” Scraba, 16, of Calgary, carded 80, 79 (159).           

Finally, the younger MJT Girls U15 title went to 13-year-old Grace Bell of Calgary, after she shot 86, 89 (175) to run away with the win. “I enjoyed the entire experience this week and felt no pressure,” she stated. “And I only three putted once today. I just focused on getting it in the hole one shot at a time. Going to the National Championship was a main goal at the start of the year so I hope I make it.” Runner-up Alanna Makarchuk, 13, of Taber, AB, scored 97, 96 (193).

All the division winners now receive direct exemptions in the MJT National Championship in Phoenix this November without having to wait to qualify via the MJT Cleveland Golf Order of Merit. In addition, seventeen other prizes were awarded to Longball Long Drive, MJT 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 event in the province is the 54-hole MJT International Players Championship presented by Miura at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Resort in Jasper, August 15-17. 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