Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 14, 2019
Calgary, AB

Hlushak’s three birdies, eagle lead to first win on MJT Mini Tour Ford Series at McKenzie Meadows

Calgary, AB – (July 15, 2019) – Close to 90 boys and girls aged 12 and under gathered at McKenzie Meadows Golf Club in Calgary, AB, on Sunday, July 14, to participate in either one of two Ford-sponsored Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour events: the MJT Mini Tour for young tournament players in six divisions, and the MJT Woodridge Ford Go Golf! Junior Clinic, which offered a free introduction to golf for beginners.

Results from the Mini Tour event were impressive, considering that capricious weather conditions had to be managed by the participants. Peter Hlushak, of Spruce Grove, AB, came out charging in the MJT Boys 11-12 Division, where the 11-year-old player made three birdies and an eagle on his way to a two-under front nine. From there, it was smooth sailing to shoot a 73 and claim his first career MJT Mini Tour victory. “I feel really pumped,” he said after receiving his trophy, citing his eagle on the eighth hole as the highlight. In second place was 12-year-old, Parker Riou, a three-year MJT Mini Tour veteran from Strathmore, AB, who finished just three shots behind, shooting 76.

More impressive scoring took place in the MJT Boys 9-10 Division. Eight-year-old, Calgary, AB native, Jayden Arnold, who was playing up a division, fired a 74 including two birdies to win by two shots over nine-year-old, Chase Strang (76), of Airdrie, AB. “Parring holes three and four in a tough, tough rainstorm with howling wind was the highlight,” said Arnold. “I feel great about winning this event because I moved up a division and the field was tougher.”

One shot was all that separated first and second place among MJT Boys 8U. Bennett Love, 8, of Red Deer, AB (81), and Owen Witherden, 8, of Consort, AB (82), shared different parts of the lead throughout their rounds. Through nine holes, Witherden had a six-shot lead. However, a back-nine charge from Love evened the scores going into the 18th hole. In the end, a clutch par by Love earned him his second consecutive MJT Mini Tour title. “I feel happy and excited,” he said.

The MJT Girls 11-12 title was captured by Calgary-local, Edie Nicholson. The 12-year-old player made two birdies on her way to a 93 and a two-shot victory over another Calgary player, Aastha Savadatti ,12 (95). “I got a birdie on hole two and made some nice putts,” commented Nicholson. “I think that I could have done a little better on some holes but I did impress myself.”

The MJT Girls 9-10 Division saw 10-year old, Kali Yeske, of Calgary, shoot an 85 to take home the title over Red Deer’s Serin Girard, 9, who shot 87. “I feel good and happy,” said Yeske. “It was all amazing.”

And finally, in MJT Girls 8U, eight-year old Piper Callum, of Foothills, AB, came out to shoot 149 in her very first MJT event.

Full results including PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin competition winners are posted on the website here. The final 2019 MJT Mini Tour in Alberta is at Strathmore Golf Club in Strathmore, August 18. Registration is online at www.maplejt.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 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.