Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour
The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
July 20-21, 2023
Kelowna, BC
Krahn fires a 66 amidst hot scores recorded in MJT’s Nicola Wealth Classic at Okanagan Golf Club
Another successful playing of the annual MJT Nicola Wealth Classic at Okanagan Golf Club in Kelowna, BC, saw over 70 elite players on Canada’s number-one played Junior Golf Tour compete for titles in six divisions and the opportunity to be shortlisted for the MJT National Team Challenge in Niagara Falls, ON, this September. The popular event, which ran on July 20 and 21 in hot weather, saw perfect scoring conditions on the pristine Bear Course, and players took advantage.
Top finishers and winner quotes are detailed below. Results from the TaylorMade Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points can be found on the MJT website here. Tournament highlights included a blistering 66 fired by MJT Juvenile Boys winner, Austin Krahn, 15, of Christina Lake, BC, who carded seven birdies in his final round (-6) to win Low Overall honours among the Boys divisions, while MJT Girls 15-19 winner, Brooke Tombs, 16, of Kelowna, BC, played solid golf to win Low Overall among the Girls and join Krahn on the shortlist for the MJT National Team Challenge presented by Canada Life at Royal Niagara Golf Club in Ontario later this season. Several other players recorded excellent scores, including Bantams Lucas Sturgeon of Saskatoon, SK, (68-73) and Sam Cook of Calgary, AB, (75-67), Juvenile Oakley Mayner of Kelowna, (71-71), and Junior Kyle Dale, also of Kelowna, (71-71), all finishing at even par or below for the two days.
The next MJT event in BC is the major-ranked, wait-listed MJT Odlum Brown Classic at Northview Golf and Country Club in Surrey, BC, from July 31 – August 2. For more information on the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, please visit the website at www.maplejt.com.
Top Finishers by Division
MJT Girls U15: The Bear: Par 72, Ydg 5742, Slope/Rating 130/73.0
1 Avva Nguyen, Richmond, BC, F, 11 85-82 (167)
2 Grace Murphy, Lethbridge, AB, F, 14 97-88 (185)
3 Kailie Matthews, Kelowna, BC, F, 14 92-97 (189)
At only 11 years old, Avva Nguyen, of Richmond, BC, who plays on both the MJT Mini and Junior Tours, played steady golf and won the MJT Girls U15 Division for her first victory this season. “It feels incredible to win,” said Nguyen. “My mindset was being focused and committing to all my shots.”
MJT Girls 15-19: The Bear: Par 72, Ydg 5742, Slope/Rating 130/73.0
1 Brooke Tombs, Kelowna, BC, F, 16 79-80 (159)
2 Dara Miao, White Rock, BC, F, 15 80-85 (165)
3 Caitlin Pederson, Toronto, ON, F, 16 86-83 (169)
The MJT Girls 15-19 Division title was won by 15-year-old Brooke Tombs of Kelowna, BC, who posted rounds of 79-80 to also finish Low Overall. “It is my first win on the MJT, so it is a very special feeling,” said Toombs. “I wanted to thank my coach, Clay Stothers, for all the work he has put in with me at the Okanagan Golf Academy.”
MJT Peewee Boys: The Bear: Par 72, Ydg 5470, Slope/Rating 115/66.9
1 Erik Petersen, Okotoks, AB, M, 11 82-73 (155)
2 Gordon Chen, Port Moody, BC, M, 12 77-80 (157)
3 Dylan Pandher, Delta, BC, M, 12 85-80 (165)
Erik Petersen, 11, of Okotoks, AB, made the trip to the BC interior worth his while and fired an amazing 73 (one-over par) on the final day to pull away from the field, winning the MJT Peewee Boys Division. “It feels great winning in a different province,” said Petersen. “I was just trying to stay focused out there.”
MJT Bantam Boys: The Bear: Par 72, Ydg 5742, Slope/Rating 115/66.9
1 Lucas Sturgeon, Saskatoon, SK, M, 13 68-73 (141)
2 Sam Cook, Calgary, AB, M, 14 75-67 (142)
3 James Giffen, West Vancouver, BC, M, 13 72-76 (148)
Another trek to the tournament paid off for Lucas Sturgeon, 13, of Saskatoon, SK, who managed to hold off a hard charging Sam Cook of Calgary, AB, and claim the MJT Bantam Boys Division title by one shot. Sturgeon posted a fantastic four-under 68 on the first day which helped secure his victory. “I feel that the competition was tight and I was proud with my performance,” said Sturgeon. “Coming down the stretch, I tried to play match play and just hold on.”
MJT Juvenile Boys: The Bear: Par 72, Ydg 6481, Slope/Rating 130/70.2
1 Austin Krahn, Christina Lake, BC, M, 15 75-66 (141)
2 Oakley Mayner, Kelowna, BC, M, 16 71-71 (142)
3 Christopher Thomson, Kelowna, BC, M, 15 73-71 (144)
The MJT Juvenile Boys title and Low Overall honours were won by Austin Krahn, 15, of Christina Lake, BC, who blitzed the golf course on day two, carding seven birdies to come from behind. “It feels great to get this win because my game has been a little off lately,” said Krahn. “Since I was in the second to last group, I tried to stay aggressive and make birdies.”
MJT Junior Boys: The Bear: Par 72, Ydg 6481, Slope/Rating 130/70.2
1 Kyle Dale, Kelowna, BC, M, 17 71-71 (142)
2 Wyatt Bishop, Dunmore, AB, M, 18 75-70 (145)
3 Stefan Wojdanski, Kelowna, BC, M, 17 73-73 (146)
Kelowna’s Kyle Dale, 17, fired rock-steady back-to-back rounds of one-under 71 to win the MJT Junior Boys Division by three strokes. “It feels good to win at my home course,” said Dale. “I have been close to winning all year so it feels good to finally get it done.”
Qualifiers: (Shortlisted Positions)
MJT National Team Challenge presented by Canada Life at Royal Niagara GC: Austin Krahn (Christina Lake) and Brooke Tombs (Kelowna)
About Nicola Wealth: Nicola Wealth is a wealth management firm dedicated to serving the complex needs of high-net-worth families, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Today, the firm operates offices across Canada advising institutions, multi-generational families, and accomplished individuals of all professions and backgrounds. Nicola Wealth is responsible for over $13.6 billion in assets under management (AUM); investing in a wide range of asset classes including hard asset real estate, private equity, private debt, commercial mortgages and more. For more information, please visit HERE. Security. Clarity. Confidence.
About the MJT: The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour 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 supported by valued Premier, Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts 100 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 12U and multi-day events for competitive players aged 11-19 which also offer qualifiers for international tournaments. The program has annual awards, scholarships and incentives to help reward 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 the provincial, national, university and professional levels.
Media Contact:
Trent Matson, Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, tmatson@maplejt.com
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