Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 19-20, 2019
Swift Current, SK

Familiar faces top leaderboard at MJT Ilta Grain Series event at Elmwood

Swift Current, SK – (May 21, 2019) – Junior golfers from across the Canadian Prairies descended upon Elmwood Golf Club in Swift Current, SK, over the May long weekend, to compete in the two-day Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s MJT Golf Saskatchewan Order of Merit (OOM) Series presented by Ilta Grain. This tournament also acted as a qualifier for the 2019 Future Champions Golf Callaway World Championships and US Kids Golf World and Teen Championships, both to be held later this summer.

There was a nail-biting finish in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division where 16-year old, Jayden Dudas, of Estevan, SK, claimed Low Overall and his second consecutive MJT tournament win by a single shot over 15-year old, Will Blake, of Regina, SK. Blake fired a 76 on the first day and took a one-shot lead, shooting 74 on day two which included a one-under front nine. However, it was the late charge by Dudas (77, 72 - 149) who made three birdies in his final seven holes that won the Hoselton Trophy. On his road to playing college golf, Dudas attributed his win to the consistency of his mental game and execution when it mattered most. “I had a good mindset the whole tournament,” said Dudas. “I play MJT to be viewed by colleges and this tournament. I hit lots of greens and made putts when I needed to in the second round.”

Josh Nagy, 17, of Saskatoon, SK, also claimed his second consecutive MJT tournament win of 2019 shooting rounds of 70 and 80 (150). “The walk-off eagle on day one helped carry my momentum into day two,” commented Nagy who topped his tournament off with four birdies in addition to that eagle. Finishing second place in the division was 17-year old, Jace Carlisle, of Estevan, SK who carded rounds of 76 and 79 (155).

The MJT Bantam Boys Division was narrowly captured by Saskatoon, SK-native, Max Regier, 13, who fired rounds of 80 and 71 (151). Two shots back of Regier was Saskatoon’s Alex Swinnerton, 14, who shot rounds of 78 and 75 (153). Regier, who faced a two-shot deficit after the first round, charged to victory on the back nine of his second round shooting four under par which was bogey free and included an eagle and two birdies. “I holed out for eagle on 14 on day two which was cool, but it was my putter that got me the win,” commented Regier who was unstoppable with the flat stick during the second half of his final round. After finishing second to Swinnerton at the MJT Re/Max Blue Chip Realty Classic in Estevan two weeks ago, Regier received his comeuppance at this event.

Claiming a one-shot victory in the MJT Peewee Boys Division was 11-year-old Warman, SK-resident, Dane Giesbrecht (81, 81 - 162), who held off 12-year-old Lethbridge, AB-resident, Kerrick Norrie Asquith (81, 81 - 163). Winning his second consecutive MJT tournament by a single shot, Giesbrecht remarked, “It feels good to win the first two events of the 2019 season and I’m excited for the next one.”

The MJT Girls 15-18 title was won by Deer Valley, SK-player, Carey McLean, 17, who shot 85, 85 (170). Second in the division was Autumn Neiszner, 15, of Regina, SK (91, 89 - 180). Finishing second to Neiszner at the last MJT event, McLean never took her foot off the gas during this tournament. “I was nervous to start out, but after the first couple of holes, I zoned right in and stayed there the whole tournament.” McLean is preparing for her final summer before embarking on a college golf journey at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.

Ella Kozak, 13, of Yorktown, SK, has had a remarkable start to the 2019 season winning her third straight 2019 MJT tournament in the Canadian prairies. Kozak, who fired rounds of 81 and 80 (161) claimed both the Hoselton trophy in her division and the Low Overall Girls score. “It feels great to win, but I play on the MJT to meet new people and gain tournament experience,” she said after her round. The young superstar has a full tournament schedule ahead of her this summer including more stops with the MJT.

The MJT Collegiate Division was won by Saskatoon, SK-native, Keighton McNabb, 19, who finished with rounds of 81 and 74 (155) for his first Hoselton trophy of the 2019 season. “My putting between four and seven feet was really solid,” commented McNabb. “I was also hitting my driver really well.”

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. Finalists of the international exemptions will be announced once qualifying has completed across the country.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in Saskatchewan is back in Swift Current - the MJT Golf Saskatchewan OOM Series presented by Ilta Grain at Chinook Golf Course on June 22 to 23. This tournament features a qualifier for the Nordic Team Matches in Sweden. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.

About Ilta Grain: ILTA Grain is a leading exporter of quality grains throughout the world.   We specialize in pulses (lentils, peas, beans and chickpeas), grains/oilseeds and other special crops. We have extensive experience in procuring and trading various grains, and our experienced team understands global trade and logistics. We proudly support North American farmers – all of our products are grown in Western Canada. With six locations in Saskatchewan - Swift Current, Cutknife, North Battleford (two plants), Saskatoon and Belle Plaine, ILTA handles all types and varieties of pulses and oilseeds. We source directly from the growers, process and clean the products at our locations, and ship our products worldwide. We have control throughout the entire process, from the farm gate to the end customer – allowing us to keep to our high standards during every step of the way.  Click here for more information.

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 to 12 year olds, the Collegiate Tour for 19 to 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, see www.maplejt.com.