Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 2-3, 2016
Estevan, SK

Playoff highlights MJT’s Estevan event; Harcourt, Stovin, Sies qualify for IPC

Estevan, SK – (July 4, 2016) – The site of the upcoming Golf Saskatchewan provincial junior championships, Estevan Woodlawn Golf Club in Estevan, SK, offered up a great practice opportunity by hosting a two-day Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour event this Canada Day long weekend, where junior golfers competed for titles in six divisions plus the chance to qualify for the International Players Championship (IPC) in Jasper, Alberta, this August. 

The MJT Prodigy Series/Golf Saskatchewan Order of Merit (OOM) Series witnessed many highlights, including a playoff between Carson Harcourt, 18, of Kipling, SK, and local Ryan Stovin, 18, of Estevan, who had both carded identical scores of 75, 74 (149) to tie for the lead in the MJT Junior Boys Division.  Harcourt defeated Stovin to take home the champion’s trophy, and commented afterwards, “Ryan had me worried the whole time.  We were back and forth both days making it a fun tournament. I feel good about winning and hope it kick-starts my year as I have had a slow start and I hope to build on this win.”   The division’s third place prize went to Tayden Wallin, 17, of Humboldt, SK, (78, 72=150).

Steven Duchscher, 15, of Saskatoon, SK, triumphed as the MJT Juvenile Boys Champion after firing 77, 74 (151) for a five stroke winning margin over runner-up Connor Tate, 16, of Kindersley, SK, (79, 77=156).  “Connor and I were back to back for most of the round which had me worried for a while but I just stuck to my game plan. It feels great getting the first win of the year,” said Duschscher, who attributed his win to ‘hitting the ball really well and confidence with the putter.’   Brody Istace, 15, also of Kindersley, shot 83, 79 (162) to take third place.

In the MJT Bantam Boys Division, Cole Nagy, 14, of Saskatoon, SK, was victorious with a great final round of 69 (79, 69=148).  Following the tournament, Nagy said, “I feel really good beating such great players. I will be moving up a division soon so it feels great to get my second win.”  Jayden Dudas, 13, of Estevan, was runner-up, shooting 78, 72 (150), and Cole’s brother, Josh Nagy, 14, had to settle for third after he shot 76, 76 (152).

Jackson Wingert, 12, of Saskatoon, won the MJT Peewee Boys title (86, 75=161). Wingert said that he plays the MJT because ‘it is competitive and I love playing golf.’ He added, “I feel great (about winning) – it was really fun and I played amazing.” Second place in the division went to Cort Tunall, 12, of Kindersley, (83, 79 162), and third went to Eric Reid, 12, of Virden, MB, (85, 79=164).

In the MJT 15-19 Girls Division, Chloe Sies, 17, of Melville, SK, ran away with the champion’s trophy with solid rounds of 87, 83 (170), and stated afterwards, “My short game has improved so much and keeps improving every day.  This weekend, chipping and putting saved my scores a number of times. I feel excited and proud – my confidence has increased so much from this win.” Hallie Burke, 15, of Rocanville, SK, came second (98, 93=191) and third place finisher was Tenesha Pompu, 16, of Carrot River, SK, (103, 93=196).

Raylyn Schmidt, 14, of Moose Jaw, SK, shot 94, 94 (188) to become the MJT Girls U15 Champion. Schmidt said she was really proud of herself and believed the main reason behind her win was her hard work and dedication for the sport. Carey McLean, 14, of Deer Valley, SK, was runner-up (102, 90=192) and third place went to 14-year-old Brynne Paschinski, of Brandon, MB, (97, 97=194).

Harcourt, Stovin and Sies were the eligible qualifiers for exemptions into the International Players Championship, plus a total of 18 prizes were also awarded to the Longball Long Drive, MJT Closest-to-the-Pin and Golf Town Comeback Competition 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 the province is the MJT-Golf Saskatchewan OOM Series at Wascana Country Club in Regina, August 13-14.  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