Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 16-17, 2018
Winnipeg, MB

Hole-in-One highlights MJT’s National Bank Financial-presented stop at Niakwa

Winnipeg, MB. – (August 17, 2018) – The MJT–PGA of Manitoba Junior Championship presented by National Bank Financial played out at one of Manitoba’s premier golf clubs, Niakwa Country Club in Winnipeg, over August 16 and 17. Hoselton trophies for Champions in seven divisions were handed out on Canada’s number one-played Junior Golf Tour, as well as the last direct qualifying spots into the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship in Phoenix, AZ, this November.

12-year-old Ella Kozak, of Yorkton, SK, shot 78, 79 (157) to run away with the MJT-PGA of Manitoba Girls U15 Champion’s title, ably assisted by a hole-in-one on her second hole of the tournament. Kozak, who was thrilled to have recorded her first ever hole-in-one, has now played in four MJT events across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, recording either a win or a runner-up finish. “I play MJT to gain competitive experience and take my game to the next level,” she said. Runner-up in the division was Autumn Neiszner, 14, of Regina, SK (93, 100=193).

Mikyla Albert, 16, of Selkirk, MB, racked up her fourth win of the season after carding rounds of 77, 84 (161) to claim the MJT-PGA of Manitoba Girls 15-18 Champion title.  Albert’s long term goals include playing golf while obtaining a post-secondary education. When asked about winning her division, Albert replied, “I’m one step closer to living my dream.” Second place, taking home a TaylorMade gift certificate, was Coral Zamzow, 18, of Swan River, MB, who finished with scores of 99, 91 (190).

In a tightly contested division, Grady Chuback, 12, of Headingley, MB, battled hard with Declan Robertson, 12, of Winnipeg, MB for all 36 holes. Chuback eventually won the MJT-PGA of Manitoba Peewee Boys Champion title with rounds of 81-80 (161), and said the difference maker for him was the 11th hole. “I put my second shot on the fringe in two, then chipped over, but I drained a 20’ putt to make a birdie.” Robertson finished with consecutive 81’s (162 total).  

The MJT-PGA of Manitoba Bantam Boys Champion was Braxton Kuntz, 14, of Winnipeg, who was solid all tournament with rounds of 74, 75 (149) to win by a single stroke over Ryan Blair, 14, of Oakbank, MB (75, 75=150). “The key for me this week was the 17th hole. I made birdie here on the second day to give myself a two-shot lead heading into the last,” said Kuntz. “I told myself to just make par on the last, but I didn’t.”

MJT-PGA of Manitoba Juvenile Boys Champion was Jacob Armstrong, 16, of Winnipeg, whose rounds of 74, 78 (152) were good enough for a four shot lead over Neel Soni, 16, also of Winnipeg, who finished 76-80 (156). When asked about his title, Armstrong said, “It’s great! I’ve worked hard specifically for this tournament and to walk away with a win feels very rewarding.”

Owen Gillespie, 17, of Portage La Prairie, MB, fired 77, 75 (152) to win the MJT-PGA of Manitoba Junior Boys Champion title by four strokes over Nicholas Fernandes, 17, of Winnipeg (78, 78=156). Gillespie said the key to winning was ‘making a clutch birdie on the third hole of the first day for a hot start.’

Nicholas Glesby, 19, of Winnipeg, was crowned MJT-PGA of Manitoba Collegiate Champion after winning the title by four strokes over Will Hydrochuk, 19, of La Salle, MB. Ferguson said the key to the victory was ‘hitting comfortable shots that I knew would not lead to trouble’ and said this win was a big ‘confidence booster because I had to come from behind.’

Ella Kozak, Mikyla Albert, Grady Chuback, Braxton Kuntz and Jacob Armstrong were the eligible recipients of direct exemptions into the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship presented by TaylorMade adidas Golf. Full results and overall event highlights are posted on the MJT website, which also shows winners of the PLYR Long Drive, PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin, MJT Comeback Award as well as the final Academy Order of Merit Standings for Manitoba.

National Bank Financial and Bieber Gebhardt Advisory Group have sponsored this event, which now concludes the MJT season in Manitoba, for 15 years. Invitations to those who have qualified for the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship via the Order of Merit will be sent out to members shortly. 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: Russ MacKay, Operations Manager, Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour rmackay@maplejt.com 1-877-859-GOLF  www.maplejt.com