Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 19-20, 2019
Calgary, AB

Atkinson wins first MJT title, ties for low overall in Big Max Series at River Spirit

Calgary, AB - (August 21, 2019) – Young golfers from British Columbia and Alberta assembled at River Spirit Golf and Country Club in Calgary, AB, for the MJT Big Max Series on August 19 and 20, where they competed for titles in seven divisions as well as for the final few spots in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Boston Pizza National Championship presented by TaylorMade and adidas golf at Reunion Resort in Florida, USA, this November.

A spotlight shined on 12-year-old Tate Bruggeman, who earned his fifth consecutive victory in the MJT Peewee Boys division and ninth division title of his career. The young star from Edmonton, AB, carded rounds of 72 and 71 (143) which included eight birdies and a 13-shot victory. Bruggeman, who has been an absolute force since joining the MJT in 2016, commented, “The highlight of the tournament was making par on a hole after I hit it out of bounds.” Finishing in second place was 12-year-old, Peyton Stahl, of Priddis, AB. Stahl fired scores of 79 and 77 (156) to earn his fifth straight top-three finish.

Calgary-local, Jaiden Koonar, earned his fourth win in his last five starts capturing the MJT Bantam Boys division with scores of 74 and 73 (147). The 14-year-old golfer made seven birdies during the tournament. “It feels great to win,” he remarked, after accepting his Hoselton trophy. “I have been preparing for a long time and practicing every day.” Runner-up in the division was 14-year-old, Evan Couch, of Spruce Grove, AB, who scored 75 and 84 (159).

An exciting finish took place in the MJT Juvenile Boys division between High River, AB-resident, Bridger Atkinson, 16, and Calgary-resident, Nico Aulicino, 16. Atkinson (70, 77 = 147), took a two-shot lead after the first round, but it was quickly erased after the first eight holes of the second round by Aulicino (72, 77 - 149). An eagle from Atkinson on the ninth hole created a three-shot swing and shifted the momentum back in his favor. With a one-shot lead going into the 17th hole, Atkinson closed out his second round with two birdies to earn the Hoselton trophy, his first career MJT victory, and tie for the low overall score in the field. “The highlight of the tournament was my start,” he said. “I wish I had played better on the second day, but I managed to get the job done.” Aulicino finished second just two shots behind. 

Only two shots separated six players at the top of the leaderboard in the MJT Junior Boys division. Coming out trumps, after a two-shot deficit following the opening round, was Medicine Hat, AB’s Sam Bratvold, with scores of 77 and 82 (159). The 17-year-old, who has had three top-three finishes this year and four in his junior tour career, broke through into the winner’s circle this tournament for his first career MJT Hoselton trophy. “I’m really excited to get my first win,” he said. “It gives me confidence to compete and hopefully win another tournament.” Finishing just one shot behind Bratvold was 17-year-old, Ryan Dand, of Calgary, who carded scores of 82 and 78 (160). Four other players finished in a tie for third place with a total score of 160.

Winning the MJT Collegiate division with scores of 73 and 74 (147) was 19-year-old, Mitchell Desjarlais, of Sherwood Park, AB; his second MJT victory in as many starts. When asked about the tournament, Desjarlais complimented the layout and condition of River Spirit Golf Club, saying, “The highlight of the tournament was really playing on such a nice golf course. I had never played here before so I’m glad I played well.” MJT past-champion, Dakota Smith, 23, of Edmonton, shot 80 and 73 (153) to place second.

The Low Overall Girls score went to Calgary’s Emily Cornwall in the MJT Girls 15-18 division. The 16-year-old player carded rounds of 77 and 88 (165) which included four birdies over the 36 holes, and commented, “It felt good to shoot my personal best in the first round.”

Coming over from BC and capturing the MJT Girls U15 title was 14-year-old Kayla Cerin Kim, of Langley. Kim recorded scores of 90 and 95 (185) to pick up her first career MJT win over Macy Dela Rosa, 14, of Calgary (103-105). Attributing her win to her work around the greens, Kim mentioned, “The highlight of the tournament was getting up-and-down a few times and making pars.”

For PLYR Long Drive, PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin and the MJT Booster Juice Comeback Award winners, please visit the highlights page for the tournament here. Winners of the National Championship exemptions will be announced shortly.

The MJT Alberta circuit has two more events remaining in 2019. On September 7 and 8, the Tour heads to Nisku for the MJT Ford Series at RedTail Landing Golf Club. Three weeks later, the season finale takes place in Kananaskis Village with the MJT Alberta Fall Series at Kananaskis Country Golf Club, September 27 and 28. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.

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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 close to 80 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. See www.maplejt.com.