Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 28-29, 2017
Winnipeg, MB

Two playoffs highlight MJT’s National Bank Financial finale in Manitoba

Winnipeg, MB – August 30, 2017 – The MJT–PGA of Manitoba Junior Championship presented by National Bank Financial played out at Bel Acres Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg, MB, on August 28 and 29, where titles were handed out in seven divisions on Canada’s number one-played Junior Golf Tour as well as the last direct qualifying spots into the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship presented by TaylorMade-adidas to be played at Reunion Resort in Orlando, FLA, November 10 to 12, 2017.

A playoff was needed in the MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 Division, which Eric Strick, 15, of Winnipeg (82-76), won on the first playoff hole with a birdie over Zane MacDonald, 16, of Minnedosa, MB (79-79). Both players had tied for the lead with two round totals of 158, but in the end, it was Strick who prevailed. “I kept calm and focused on my own game, that was my game plan going into this tournament,” Strick said afterwards. “It feels great about winning after being in a playoff, I worked super hard the past few months on my game and going low.”

The MJT Junior Boys 17-18 winner was Ryan McMillan, 17, of Winnipeg, who fired 77,76 (153) to win the title by four strokes over Connor Stewart, 17, also of Winnipeg. McMillan said the key to winning was ‘to have fun.’ He added that his highlight was playing in a six-some on the last hole. “It feels splendid to win.”

The MJT Bantam Boys 13-14 winner was Noah Fiks, 13, of Winnipeg, who shot solid rounds of 75,73 (148) to win by six strokes over Braxton Kuntz, 13, also of Winnipeg. “My lag putting was really good and I kept hitting fairways and greens,” said Fiks. “It feels amazing (to win). Being able to come back to Bel Acres where I was a member the last few years and play so well and win a tournament here.”

Another playoff was held in the MJT Peewee 11-12 Division after Adriano Cianflone, 12, of Headingley, MB (86-89), playing in his first event on the MJT, tied for the lead at 175 total score with Hayden Delaloye, 11, of Neepawa, MB (88-87). Cianflone won with a par on Hole 10, and said. ‘hard work and focus’ were the keys to the victory. “The highlight for me was getting to meet new people and play at a different course.”

In the MJT 15-18 Girls Division, it was Bobbi Uhl, 17, of Erickson, MB, who racked up her third win of the season after carding rounds of 76, 82 (158).  Uhl credited ‘my accuracy with my irons,’ and her highlight was ‘putting my iron shot on nine almost in the hole on day one.” Mikyla Albert, 15, of Selkirk, MB, was runner-up in the 15-18 division (84-86), while Armaan Dhillon, 12, of Winnipeg, played in the U15 Girls Division in her very first MJT and shot 122-118.  Dhillon said, “I loved learning about the game, and I am also very happy because I finished my first 18-hole tournament.”

In the new MJT Collegiate Men’s 19-23 Division, it was Cole Ferguson, 19, of Winnipeg, who won by four strokes over Aaron McIntyre, 20, also of Winnipeg. Ferguson said the key to the victory was ‘hitting the fairways down the stretch’ and said his competitors were ‘a pleasure to play with.’

Bobbi Uhl, Noah Fiks and Ryan McMillan were the eligible recipients of direct exemptions into the MJT National Championship. Full results and overall event highlights are posted on the MJT website HERE, which also shows winners of the Miura ‘Respect the Game’ Award, PLYR Long Drive, PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin.

National Bank Financial and Bieber Gebhardt Advisory Group have sponsored this event on the MJT for 14 years, which now concludes the MJT season in Manitoba. Invitations to those who qualified for the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship are soon to be sent out to members; for more information, please visit www.maplejt.com.

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 presented nationally by Boston Pizza and supported by valued Premier, Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts more than 70 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7-12 year olds, the Collegiate Tour for 19-23 year olds, and multi-day events for competitive players aged 11 to 18 which are also qualifiers 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. For more information on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, please visit www.maplejt.com

MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Hood, Manager of Marketing & Administration, Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour chood@maplejt.com 1-877-859-GOLF  www.maplejt.com.