Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 20-21, 2016
Moncton, NB

Six MJT Atlantic Canada Tour Champions Crowned at Royal Oaks

Moncton, NB – August 22, 2016 – Sunday saw the successful conclusion to the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s circuit in the region this season, which ended with the two-day MJT Atlantic Canada Tour Championship / Golf NB Player of the Year Series at Royal Oaks Golf Club in Moncton, NB, August 20 and 21. Junior golfers were vying for six division titles as well as bonus MJT order of merit points and direct exemptions into the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship at The Legacy Golf Resort in Phoenix, AZ, this November.

A career round of 69 vaulted Meghan McLean, 17, of Port Williams, NS, into the lead, and a closing round of 73 cemented it, securing her a second MJT 15-19 Girls Division win this season.  “MJT is the best!” she said afterwards. “I’m super happy with myself as I have never shot in the 60’s before and to be able to do it in a big tournament was a great feeling.”  Laura Wesselius, 17, of Intervale, NB, shot 72, 78 (150) which gave her the runner-up position, and Laura Jones, 17, of Berry Mills, NB, shot 82, 78 (160) placing her third.

The younger MJT Girls division of U15 was won by Mackenzie Deveau, 13, of Moncton, NB, who shot 90, 88 (178) to beat Kelsey Embleton, 14, of New Maryland, NB (96, 97=193). “I am very happy about winning my first MJT,” said Deveau. “Coming down the stretch, I was just thinking ‘don’t put it in the sand.’” 

In the MJT Peewee Boys Division, Marc-Andre Gaudet, 12, of St-Ignace, NB, claimed his second MJT win in as many starts with scores of 77, 80 (157).  “The main reason for my victory is probably because of my putting,” Gaudet said following the tournament, “It feels so good to win another MJT – they have great prizes and great competition.”  The runner-up position went to Simon Mullen, 10, of Truro, NS, who shot 81, 84 (165).  Thomas Sutherland, 12, of Hammonds Plains, NS, was in third place (84, 82=166).       

Lukas Cormier, 14, of Ste-Marie-de-Kent, NB, shot rock solid scores of 73, 76 (149) to be crowned MJT Bantam Boys Division winner, holding off runner-up Owen Mullen, 13, of Truro, NS, (79, 72=151).  “I think the main reason for my win was my fairway hits and my greens in regulation,” said Cormier.  “Playing MJT is a great way to try other courses and have fun.”  Pierre-Luc Arsenault, 13, of Saint-Louis, NB, (79, 78=157) grabbed third place in the division.

Alexandre Boudreau, 16, of Dieppe, NB, came out on top in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division scoring 75, 77 (152).  Boudreau said, “I just took it one shot at a time, and I think my win at the MJT Fox Creek tournament really helped my confidence. I would love to go to the MJT National Championship.” Tyler Hashmi 16, of Charlottetown, PE, (78, 76=154) took home the runner-up prize, and Nick Berryman, 16, of Halifax, NS, ended up in third place (83, 74=157).

In the MJT Junior Boys Division, MJT newcomer Nick Dolomount, 17, all the way from Corner Brook, NL, made the trip worth his while and fired back-to-back rounds of 75 to win the title by three strokes over both Drew Ward, 17, of New Minas, NS, (76, 77=153) and  Morgan Barnes, 19, of Salisbury, NB (75, 78=153), who shared the runner-up position.  “On the last few holes I knew that I was in contention so I tried not to be nervous but stick to my game plan and finish strong - it feels awesome to win a tournament, especially my first big one,” Dolomount said. “My friends have told me how really organized these events are so I decided to give it a try.  I’m glad now that I came to Moncton, and I have made some new friends as well.” 

As MJT members, McLean, Deveau, Gaudet and Boudreau each now receive direct exemptions in the MJT National Championship in AZ, November 11 to 13, without having to wait to qualify via the MJT Cleveland Golf Order of Merit. A total of 18 prizes were also awarded to the Longball Long Drive, MJT Closest-to-the-Pin Competition, and Golf Town Comeback Winners in the tournament whose names are all listed on the tournament page on the MJT website.  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