Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 22-23, 2016
Swift Current, SK

Two playoffs in shocking conditions during MJT Sask. Season Opener in Swift Current

Swift Current, SK – (May 23, 2016) –  Windy, wet and cold conditions plagued over 80 junior golfers from three different provinces competing in the Saskatchewan season opener on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour at Chinook Golf Club in Swift Current on May 22nd and 23rd – where the two day ‘MJT Ford Series presented by Ilta Grain’ was also a shortlist qualifier for the IMG Junior World Championships in San Diego. Shivering players soldiered through lightning delays and pelting rain to actually complete 13 holes in the Mini Tour event and 36 holes in the Junior Tour event, where two playoffs and an ‘almost-hole-in-one’ to win a new 2016 Ford Focus SE highlighted the action.

Low Overall and the MJT Junior Boys title went to Tayden Wallin, 17, of Humboldt , SK, who fired outstanding rounds considering the conditions (71, 76=147), and stated afterwards that what he felt made the difference and helped him win was not letting the weather get to him. “It’s a great way to start the year and to build some more confidence heading into other events,” he added. Three strokes back was MJT veteran, Kade Johnson, 17, of Yorkton, SK (78, 72=150) and rounding out the podium in this division, tied with a total score of 152, were Stephen Oleskiw, 17, of Yorkton (73, 79) and Noah Kozack, 16, of Regina, SK (72, 80=152).                                

The first playoff was in the MJT Juvenile Boys division, where Andrew Campbell, 15, of Saskatoon, SK (77, 80) defeated Jacob Kydd, 15, of Regina (82, 75) after both players had tied for the lead at 157 total score. “I got the ball in play off the tee and putted very well,” said Campbell. “I was really happy to win after my quad bogey on number nine.” There was a tie for third place in the division between Bradley Moser, 16 of Saskatoon, (80, 78) and Connor Tate, 16, of Kindersley, SK (76, 82).

The second playoff was in the MJT Bantam Boys division, and was won by Ryan Hodgins, 13, of Medicine Hat, AB (76, 78) after he had tied Jayden Dudas, 13, of Estevan, SK (75, 79) for the lead. Hodgins said afterwards, “My best play was my final putt in the playoff – I feel very excited to get the win in a playoff.” Cole Nagy, 14, of Saskatoon, who just missed getting into the playoff by one stroke, placed third with scores of 76, 79 (155).   

The MJT Peewee Boys title went to Cort Tunall, 12, of Kindersley, after he shot 79, 88 (167) to win by six strokes over Colin Pasitney, 11, of St. Paul, AB (88, 85=173). “I shot 36 on the front nine,” said Tunall, who ‘played safe and smart.’ “Since it’s my first MJT win, it feels great.” The division’s third spot was claimed by Parker Layton, 12, of La Ronge, SK (83, 95=178).

Camryn Roadley, 17, of Winnipeg, MB, shot rock-solid scores of 74, 76 (150) to rack up her second MJT Girls 15-19 title so far this season. “I almost holed out on hole number one the first day,” she said, noting that what made the difference and helped her win was ‘playing with nice players’. Roadley added, “I love playing in MJT events and was happy to spend the long weekend competing.” Runner-up was Reese Martin, 16, of Brooks, AB, who finished 81, 77 (158    ) and third place finisher was Chloe Sies, 17, of Melville, SK, (85, 82=167).

Raylyn Schmidt, 14, of Moose Jaw, SK, said that she chose to play in the event to increase her golf skill and ‘get noticed’ and she certainly did that by winning the MJT Girls U15 trophy with scores of 100, 107 (207). Second place finisher was Sarah Grieve, 13, of Saskatoon, (107, 102=209) while Carey McLean, 14, of Deer Valley, SK, came in third (110, 101=211).

The members to be shortlisted for age specific spots in the Junior Worlds were division winners Walliin, Hodgins, Tunall, Roadley and Schmidt. The finalists will be announced once qualifying has completed across the country. 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.

In addition to the Junior tour event, and MJT Mini tour played out on Monday where seven to ten-year-olds managed to finish 13 holes in the tough conditions.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in Saskatchewan is the MJT-CPGA of Saskatchewan Junior Championship presented by Ilta Grain at the Willows Golf Club in Saskatoon, June 4-5, 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.

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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