Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 23-24, 2016
Winnipeg, MB

Two playoffs and Low Overall for McMillan in MJT’s National Bank Financial-sponsored event

Winnipeg, MB – (August 24, 2016) – Juniors on Canada’s number one-played junior golf tour enjoyed two beautiful days of weather at Transcona Golf Course in Winnipeg, MB, during the MJT-PGA of Manitoba Junior Championship presented by National Bank Financial on August 23 and 24. Six division champions were crowned in the tournament, which was also a direct entry qualifier for members into the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship presented by TaylorMade-adidas at The Legacy Golf Resort in Phoenix, AZ, this November.

Low Overall from the blue tees and the MJT-PGA of Manitoba Juvenile Boys champion’s title went to Ryan McMillan 16, of Winnipeg, after he fired excellent rounds of 73, 70 (143). “My tee game and short game were major keys to my win. Wesley (Hoydalo) had me worried for a hole or two…,” he said. Wesley Hoydalo, 16, of Selkirk, MB, shot 75, 76      (151) to place second in the division, and Sylvain Ruest, 16, of Winnipeg, placed third (79, 76=155).

 Aaron McIntyre, 19, of Winnipeg, MB, fired a brilliant 68 on day one to end up tied for the MJT Junior Boys lead at 146 total score with Samuel Diamond, 17, also of Winnipeg, who carded great scores of 72, 74. McIntyre won the champion’s title on the third playoff hole, a nice finish to his last junior event. “Playing so well the first day gave me some cushion to play relaxed the second day,” said McIntyre. “It felt really great, winning this tournament, and feels even better that I finished my junior career with a win.” Third in the division went to Stefan Lavallee, 18, of Steinbach, MB (70, 77=147).

 The second playoff in the field was in Bantam Boys after Jacob Armstrong, 14, of Winnipeg (74-75), and Adam Ingram, 12, of West St Paul, MB (77-72), tied for the lead at 146 total score. Armstrong ended up with the win, stating afterward, “It feels great, but shoutout to Adam Ingram for playing up a division and making it to a playoff with me after he fired a sweet 72.” Neel Soni, 14, of Winnipeg, came in third place (77, 81        =158).

 The MJT Peewee Boys champion was 12-year-old Eric Reid of Virden, MB, who shot 87, 82 (169) to defeat Aiden Lane, 12, of Winnipeg (85-88=173), by four strokes . “It feels great to pull off the win after all my hard work and practice, and I’d like to thank MJT for the opportunity and a great year,” Reid said.        

 MJT-PGA of Manitoba Junior Girls 15-19 champion was Rebecca Kuik, 17, of Winnipeg, who fired steady rounds of 77, 78 (155) to hold off runner-up Marissa Naylor, 18, also of Winnipeg, (79, 79=158). Kuik stated, “Winning my title was fun, but being able to get out and play with the other girls and have fun was the best part. I enjoy being able to compete with such great players.” Lexie Kopp, 17, of Matlock, MB, placed third with scores of 89, 95 (184).

 Mikyla Albert, 14, of Selkirk, MB, racked up her fifth MJT Girls U15 title with scores of 93, 97 (190), claiming that her putting was the key. “I feel great about winning but I left a lot of birdies out there,” she said. Brynne Paschinski, 14, of Brandon, MB, came second (108, 96=204).

 Each division champion now receives a direct exemption into the MJT National Championship in AZ, November 11 to 13, without having to wait to qualify via the MJT Cleveland Golf Order of Merit. In addition, a total of 15 prizes were awarded to 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.

 This event marks the final MJT stop in the province for this season. A circuit of five tournaments for competitive juniors will once again run in 2017 and early bird memberships will be available in January. For more information, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.

 About National Bank Financial: National Bank Financial is a leading Canadian full-service investment dealer with $123 billion in assets under management who origins date back to 1902. National Bank Financial has 3,351 employees with offices and operations in Canada, Switzerland, the U.S. and the United Kingdom. The firm offers financial services and products to private and publicly owned corporations and institutional investors, individual investors and government agencies. National Bank Financial has 84 personal wealth management offices across Canada, and is the dominant provider of third-party brokerage services in the country. For more information, visit  www.biebergebhardt.com

 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