Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 24-25, 2019
Warman, SK

Legends Baker and Dudas tie for Low Overall at MJT’s Warman event

Warman, SK – (August 26, 2019) – The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour capped off its 2019 Saskatchewan season on August 24 and 25 with the MJT Golf Saskatchewan Order of Merit Championship at the Legends Golf Club in Warman, where players from across Saskatchewan and Alberta were competing for titles in six divisions as well as one last opportunity to earn a spot into the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship presented by TaylorMade and adidas Golf at Reunion Resort in Florida this November.

It was a birdie extravaganza for Waskesiu, SK-golfer, TJ Baker, in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division. The 16-year-old player tied for Low Overall with Jayden Dudas in the Junior Division, after firing rounds of 75 and 69 (144) including a tournament-high nine birdies along the way. Baker earned his first Hoselton trophy of the 2019 season and fourth of his four-year MJT career with the win at The Legends Golf Club. “I hit my irons great during the tournament and the putter got hot,” he stated. “I made some key putts that helped me break 70.” Rounding out the division in second place was Saskatoon, SK-golfer, Chase Pochylko, 15, who shot commendable rounds of 76 and 72 (148).

Jayden Dudas, 17, of Estevan, SK, joined Baker with the Low Overall score of 144 and won the MJT Junior Boys title with excellent rounds of 73 and 71 (144), including four birdies and an eagle. Dudas got off to the start he wanted on the first day going three under, bogey free on the front nine. “I hit some good tee shots that put me in position to score and then hit good approach shots.” Dudas earned his third MJT win of the 2019 season with his performance at The Legends Golf Club. Coming off his win across the provincial border at the recent MJT Big Max Series at River Spirit Golf Club was 17-year-old, Sam Bratvold of Medicine Hat, AB, who fired 72 and 74 (146) for a tie second-place finish with Prince Albert, SK-resident, Cole Jenkins, 17, (71 and 75=146).

The MJT Bantam Boys title was captured by Saskatoon, SK-player, Max Regier. The 13-year-old rising star, who fired scores of 71 and 76, got off to a hot start shooting two under in his first nine holes, bogey free. “I was nervous because it was so close,” he commented. “I felt relieved after the round was done and proud to win.” Regier just edged out Saskatoon’s Thomas Danielson, 14, who shot a pair of 74’s (148) to finish runner-up, one shot shy of Regier.

Great rounds of 71 and 75 (146) by 12 -year-old Dade Bernatchez earned him the Hoselton trophy in the MJT Peewee Boys Division. The LaRonge, SK-resident was off to the races right away shooting two under in his front nine with no bogeys. It was smooth sailing from there to his second MJT win of the 2019 season. Attributing his win to his work on the greens, he commented, “My putting was the best it ever was!” Warman-local, Dane Giesbrecht, 12, finished the tournament in second place with solid rounds of 77 and 74 (151).

The Low Overall Girls score for the tournament went to Sarah Grieve, 16, in the MJT Girls 15-18 Division. The Saskatoon golfer fired rounds of 75 and 77 making six birdies along the way. “The strongest part of my game was my iron striking,” she said. “My thoughts coming down the stretch were to finish strong and play with confidence.” Coming in second place was Autumn Neiszner, 15, of Regina, SK, who shot 76 and 78 (154).

Ella Kozak, 13, of Yorkton, SK, carded scores of 80 and 76 (156) in the MJT Girls U15 Division. “I had a great attitude out there,” she commented.

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. Exemptions into the National Championship will be announced shortly.

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.