Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 29-30, 2018
Wallace, NS

Over 70 young golfers enjoy MJT’s Humber College PGM finale at Fox Harb’r

Wallace, NS – (August 30, 2018) – Over 70 junior golfers from across Atlantic Canada travelled to play the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s regional finale presented by Humber College PGM at the prestigious Fox Harb’r Golf Resort in Wallace, NS, on August 29 and 30, competing for titles in seven divisions on Canada’s number-one played Junior Golf Tour as well as for direct exemptions into the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship at Legacy Golf Club, in Phoenix, AZ, this November. The MJT Atlantic Canada Tour Championship was the last of a four-event series nationwide presented by Humber College Professional Golf Management, recognized as Canada's premiere golf business program. 

Low Overall and MJT Junior Boys winner was Brett LeBlanc, 17, of Hammonds Plains, NS, who fired solid rounds of 72, 77 (149) on the difficult par 72, 6,375 yard layout. LeBlanc stuck with it and managed a birdie on the final hole to erase a two-shot deficit to runner-up Logan Tramble, 17, of Bedford, NS, who finished with a total score of 151 (74, 77). “The 18th hole on the second round was my best hole of the tournament,” said LeBlanc. “I hit my best drive of the tournament over the water, hit a good iron into the green and made birdie. I’m very happy to win and happy it was at Fox Harb’r.”     

The MJT Juvenile Boys title had to go to extra holes between Nathan Hogan, 16, of Miramichi, NB (77-73), and Daniel Kirby, 16, of Woodstock, NB (73-77), who had tied at 150 after 36 holes after Hogan erased a four-stroke deficit on day two. Hogan would prevail on the first extra hole, making a par for the victory. “Honestly, I knew it was close all day. The last hole was the best for sure when I made a 15-footer for birdie to get into the playoff with Kirby,” he said. “It feels amazing to have had a lot of success this year in general and knowing that I am very confident has helped me win tournaments. Making the comeback makes it feel that much better!”              

Owen Canavan, 14, of Hammonds Plains, NS, claimed the MJT Bantam Boys division title after carding consecutive sub-80 rounds of 76, 78 (154). Canavan beat runner-up, Benjamin Childs, 14, of Halifax, NS (77, 80=157) by three shots. All square heading into the back nine of round two, Canavan played solid down the stretch, not allowing Childs to gain any momentum as Canavan made seven straight pars to finish out the round. 

In the MJT Peewee Boys division, Jacob LeBlanc, 12, of Dieppe, NB, was crowned champion with impressive scores of 79, 85 (164), enough for a six-stroke win over current MJT Peewee Boys Order of Merit leader for Atlantic Canada, Simon Mullen, 12, of Truro, NS (84, 86=170). LeBlanc recorded the lowest score in the peewee division during each round of the tournament and was the only player in the division to break 80 during the event. 

The MJT Girls 15-18 title went to Haley Baker, 16, of Halifax, who said putting up two great scores on a difficult course was a good feeling (76, 75=151). Baker won the Hoselton trophy by six strokes over Sara Cumby, 17, of Canaan, NS (81, 76=157). “My best hole of the tournament was the sixth hole during the second round, I made a long putt which is what really got my round going.”  Baker went on to make three more birdies on the day.           

Haley’s younger sister, Abbey Baker, 13, defended her MJT Girls U15 title in style, carding solid rounds of 75, 79 (154). “I feel very good about this win because there was good competition,” she said, adding, “I find MJT tournaments well run and everyone is very welcoming.” Runner-up was Taylor Long, 14, of New Glasgow, NS, (80, 94=174). 

And finally, in the MJT Collegiate division, the title was won by Alex Taylor, 19, of Nine Mile Creek, PE, after he shot 79, 74 (153) to beat  Michael Smith, 19, of Dartmouth, NS (78, 92=170). “I feel excited and glad I played the tournament, Louis (Melanson, Tournament Director) runs a great event,” said Taylor.  

Full results and overall highlights of the event are posted on the MJT website, which also shows winners of the MJT Comeback Award, PLYR Long Drive and PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin competitions, and the current MJT Academy Order of Merit standings. This tournament wraps up the MJT season in Atlantic Canada for 2018. Early bird memberships for 2019 will be available in December; for more information, please visit www.maplejt.com.

About Humber College PGM Program: Humber's Business Administration - Professional Golf Management program is recognized as Canada's premiere golf business program. You will gain business knowledge and skills to start a career in many areas of business, as well as, specialized expertise required for a career in the golf business. Our 3-year business diploma runs annually on a 6-month in-class, 6-month paid work placement basis. Our on-campus Golf Lab is an industry leading golf performance training facility run by PGA Professionals. Our students have the opportunity to play on the Humber Hawks varsity golf team, the most decorated golf team in Canada. Pathways to Humber's Bachelor of Commerce Degrees and other degree programs are also available. For more information please visit our website at business.humber.ca/golf.

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.