Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 15-16, 2016
Winkler, MB

Three playoffs needed to determine MJT Prodigy Series Champions in Winkler

For Immediate Release                                                                                                  

Winkler, MB – August 17, 2016 - “We had two great, warm and sunny days here in Winkler,” stated Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) Tournament Director for Manitoba, Ed Boge, following the MJT Prodigy Series at Winkler Centennial Golf Course on August 15 and 16. “Winkler Golf Club are great hosts, as always, and play was very tight this tournament with three playoffs in the Bantam, Juvenile and Junior, with the players battling for division titles and direct exemptions into the MJT National Championship.”

 Braxton Kuntz, 12, of Winnipeg, MB, won yet another event in the MJT Peewee Division with crazy low scores of 67, 70 (137).  “I feel good.  I wanted to be under par. My putting helped me win,” said Kuntz, following the tournament.  Ryan Blair, 12, of Oakbank, MB, took the runner-up position shooting a 71, 72 (143) and third spot went to Noah Fiks, 12, of Winnipeg, (74, 77=151).

 The first of three playoffs was needed in the MJT Bantam Boys Division, where Eric Strick, 14, of Winnipeg, (77, 79=156) won his first MJT title on the first playoff hole with a par over Jacob Armstrong, 14, also of Winnipeg, (80, 76=156). Strick said afterwards, “I feel really happy and confident. I had the lead going into round two and was thinking, ‘don’t choke but do your best’ coming down the stretch. My plan for the future includes winning more MJT events.” Neel Soni, 14, of Winnipeg, (80, 79=159) took home third place prize.

 Playoff number two was in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division, after Wesley Hoydalo, 16, of Selkirk, MB (70-69=139), pitched in from 30 yards on 18 for an eagle to force the playoff with Marco Trstenjak, 16, of Winnipeg (68-71=139).  Trstenjak prevailed on the first playoff hole with a par to win the title.  Trstenjak commented, “I feel great – I was hitting good golf shots. MJT is cool.”  Ryan McMillan, 16, also of Winnipeg, took third place with scores of 76, 68 (144).  

 A three-way tie in the MJT Junior Boys Division made for an exciting playoff finish, where Cameron McIntyre, 17, of Winnipeg, (75,70=145) eventually won on the fourth playoff hole, beating Colwyn Abgrall, 19, of Niverville, MB (73, 72=145). Stefan Lavallee, 18, of Steinbach, MB, (74,71=145) was out on the first playoff hole and captured third.  When it was finally over, McIntyre said, “I feel good about my win – my long game was probably the reason for my victory. MJT’s are great tournaments and I would like to think the MJT National Championship is in my future plans.”

 Marissa Naylor, 18, of Winnipeg, who just won a Saskatchewan MJT event at Wascana Golf Club in Regina on the weekend, kept her winning streak going with excellent scores of 73, 73 (146) to run away with her third MJT Girls 15-19 title this season.  “It’s a feeling that’s hard to put into words,” she said about her success. “To see the hard work pay off is special. I love the MJT Tour, the girls are great and its great competition.” Lexie Kopp, 17, of Matlock, MB, was the runner-up with scores of 87, 79 (166), and Mikyla Albert, 14, of Selkirk, MB (92, 86=178) took home the MJT Girls U15 prize, noting that her goal is “to eventually make my way up to the LPGA.”

 All the division winners now receive direct exemptions in the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship at The Legacy Golf Resort in Phoenix, AZ, November 11 to 13, without having to wait to qualify via the MJT Cleveland Golf Order of Merit. In addition, fifteen 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 final Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in the province is MJT PGA of Manitoba Junior Championship presented by National Bank Financial at Transcona Golf Club in Winnipeg, August 23 and 24, a qualifier for AJGA PBE Status and the 2016 North American Junior Amateur Championship (NAJA).  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