Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

June 8-9, 2019
New Minas (Wolfville), NS

MacKinnon low overall, Foote wins playoff in MJT Bell Aliant Series at Ken-Wo

Wolfville, NS - (June 10, 2019) - The second leg of the MJT Bell Aliant Series presented by PLYR Golf on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour ran in Wolfville, NS, June 8 and 9, at Ken-Wo Country Club. Junior golfers from across the Maritime provinces competed in sunshine and blue skies for titles in seven divisions as well as for spots on MJT Team Canada to Australia for the JNJG International Junior Classic, and into the US Kids World/Teen Championships in the States.

The 36 holes were not enough to determine a winner in the MJT Junior Boys division, where a playoff was needed between Fall River, NS-player, Eric Foote, 17, and Edgetts Landing, NB-player, Liam Llewellyn, 17. Llewellyn (81, 76 - 157), started the second day five shots back of first round leader, Brett LeBlanc, 18, of Hammond Plains, NS, (76, 82 – 158) and four shots back of Foote (77, 80 - 157). Llewellyn, who struggled to make up ground in his opening nine holes on the second day, played his last three holes at two-under par which included an eagle on 16 to force a playoff with Foote. In the end, par was all that needed for Foote to hold on for the win. “I had to make an up-and-down on 18 to get into a playoff,” said Foote. “I’m happy that I was able to keep it together on the back nine on the second day.” LeBlanc rounded out the podium in third place.

16-year old Luke Baldwin of Hammonds Plains captured the MJT Juvenile Boys title with rounds of 79 and 73 (152). Baldwin, who was behind four shots to 15-year old, Benjamin Childs (finished 75, 82 - 157), of Halifax, NS, played a very consistent second round that included one birdie and 13 pars. “I was not really expecting to win until very late in the second round,” commented Baldwin. “I was having a lot of fun with my group and I’m so happy to come out with a win.” Finishing second in the division was 15-year old, Logan Forward, of Enfield, NS who two rounds of 78 (156). Childs tied for third with Owen Canavan, 15, of Hammonds Plains (81, 76 – 157).

In the MJT Bantam Boys Division, Dieppe, NB’s Julien Babineau, 14, narrowly beat out Greenwhich, NS’s Jackson Shaw, 14. Babineau carded rounds of 83 and 81 (164) including three birdies and an eagle in the two rounds. Down two shots with three holes to play on the second day, he eagled the 17th hole which triggered a three-shot swing and a one-shot lead going into the last hole. Shaw (85, 80 - 165), who was down two shots to Babineau after the first day, made a comeback, but fell just short after making bogey on the 17th hole on day two. “It feels solid to win my first MJT tournament this year,” said Babineau. “The highlight of the tournament certainly was the eagle on 17 and hopefully there’s more to come.”

Hammond Plains-resident, Cole MacPhee, 12, carded rounds of 90 and 87 (177) to take home the Hoselton trophy in the MJT Peewee Boys Division by three shots over Middle West Pubnico, NS-resident, Blake Fish, 12. Fish (89, 91 - 180), who was tied for the lead after the first round, battled right to the finish, being surpassed by MacPhee towards the very end of the round. “I’m really happy to have won this tournament,” exclaimed MacPhee. “This was my first win since starting playing with MJT and I’m motivated to get better and win more.”

18-year old Sara Cumby from Canaan, NS, shot consistent rounds of 77 (154) to win the MJT Girls 15-18 Division and the Low Overall Girls score in convincing fashion. Cumby, who made four birdies and an eagle on her way to victory, said, “I’m really happy and proud of myself for winning.” She has been playing on the MJT for six years and now finally cards her first MJT win. Rounding up the division in second place was 16-year old Mackenzie Deveau of Moncton, NB, who fired rounds of 84 and 85 (169).

The MJT Girls U15 trophy went to Katie MacIntyre, 12, of Beaver Bank, NS, who came out to shoot scores of 96 and 94 (190). “It feels and even though I can do better, I was happy with my eagle and two birdies,” she said.

The MJT Collegiate trophy and Low Overall score went to Stratford, PEI-native, Andrew MacKinnon, 20, who fired rounds of 76 and 75 (151). “It feels great to get back to playing competitively,” mentioned MacKinnon. “I haven’t competed in a while and to win is a great feeling.”

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

The third leg of the MJT Bell Aliant Series will be held at Fox Creek Golf Club in Dieppe, NB, on July 20 and 21. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.

About Bell: Bell Aliant provides customers in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island with innovative information, communication and technology services including voice, data, Internet, video and value-added business solutions such as data security and cloud computing services; including Fibe™ TV and Internet, Bell Satellite TV, and Home Phone.  Click here for more information.

About PLYR: Launched in 2015, PLYR Golf is a new and fun apparel and accessories brand. While they tend to target the trends of the younger demographic, PLYR is a lifestyle golf brand made for everyone. To keep up with the new products PLYR offers, please visit www.PLYRgolf.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 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.