Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour
The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
July 25-26, 2023
Invermere, BC
Great scores, playoff and an ace highlight MJT Western Championship presented by The Cart Locker at Copper Point
Over 90 young golfers came out to compete in the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s British Columbia stop this week, when Canada’s number one-played junior tour held the MJT Western Championship presented by The Cart Locker at Copper Point Golf Club in Invermere, BC, on July 25 and 26. Players were competing for titles in six divisions plus the chance to qualify for a shortlisted position in the MJT National Team Challenge presented by Canada Life at Royal Niagara Golf Club in Ontario this September.
The MJT Western Championship presented by The Cart Locker was the final qualifying event for the MJT National Team Challenge. Making a strong case to qualify for Team MJT were Emma Liu, 16, and Beck Gilewich, 16, both of Edmonton, Alberta, who claimed Low Overall honours from the furthest set of tees and are the final shortlisted players for this major team event. Perfect scoring conditions greeted the players at the pristine Copper Point Golf Club where other highlights included an ace on the tough 17th hole on the first day by Medicine Hat native Owen Bruins, a stunning playoff victory by Solomon Tong, 13, of Heritage Pointe, AB, who made birdie on the second hole to defeat 12-year old Bennett Love of Red Deer, AB, and sizzling scores of 72-71 by MJT veteran Olivia Johnson, 14, of Calgary, AB, who went low in the Girls U15 Division. Top finisher scores and winner quotes are detailed below, while results from the TaylorMade Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points, are posted on the MJT website here.
There are still a few openings in the next stop in the province, the three-day major-ranked MJT Edge School Summer Classic at Coyote Creek Golf Club in Sundre, AB, August 14-16 – players can register here. For more information on the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, please visit the website at www.maplejt.com.
Top Finishers
MJT Girls U15: Copper Point GC: Par 71, Ydg 4755, Slope/Rating 112/66.0
1 Olivia Johnson, Calgary, AB, F, 14 72-71 (143)
2 Danika Horcica, Edmonton, AB, F, 11 82-81 (163)
3 Kailie Matthews, Kelowna, BC, F, 14 84-94 (178)
Posting two amazing rounds on the tough Copper Point track was Olivia Johnson, 14, of Calgary, AB, who won the MJT Girls U15 Division title in style after firing 72-71. “It feels really good to have won,” said Johnson. “My mindset was just to stay focused and have fun.” This victory was Johnson’s fifth of the season on the MJT.
MJT Girls 15-19: Copper Point GC: Par 71, Ydg 5626, Slope/Rating 123/71.1
1 Emma Liu, Edmonton, AB, F, 16 82-75 (157)
2 Claire Pasenau, Kelowna, BC, F, 16 80-79 (159)
2 Jadyn Gracie, Calgary, AB, F, 17 74-85 (159)
A first-time winner on the MJT this season was Emma Liu, 16, of Edmonton, AB, who posted a great final round 75 to break through and win the MJT Girls 15-19 title. “This feels very good as I’ve never won an MJT before and this was a hard course,” said Liu. “Coming down the stretch, my mindset was to hit the ball down the middle and par or bogey is chill.”
MJT Peewee Boys: Copper Point GC: Par 71, Ydg 5626, Slope/Rating 115/65.5
1 Dylan Pandher, Delta, BC, M, 12 86-88 (174)
2 Kolton Matthews, Kelowna, BC, M, 12 91-91 (182)
Twelve-year-old Dylan Pandher of Delta, BC, posted solid rounds on the difficult Copper Point track to claim the MJT Peewee Boys title. “It feels great to win at Copper Point,” said Pandher. “It is a very challenging course to play. I tried to stay focused and avoid mistakes.”
MJT Bantam Boys: Copper Point GC: Par 71, Ydg 6083, Slope/Rating 121/68.0
1 Solomon Tong, Heritage Pointe, AB, M, 13 74-71 (145) Won in playoff
2 Bennett Love, Red Deer, AB, M, 12 72-73 (145)
3 Brady Wagner, Sherwood Park, AB, M, 14 75-72 (147)
Winning on the second playoff hole was 13-year-old Solomon Tong of Heritage Pointe, AB, who rolled in a birdie to win the MJT Bantam Boys title and defeat Bennett Love, 12, of Red Deer, AB, after both boys had tied for the division lead with a two-day score of 145. “It feels exhilarating to win my first tournament of the year and my first playoff ever,” said Tong. “I just needed to outlast Bennett on the last few holes to have a chance to win.”
MJT Juvenile Boys: Copper Point GC: Par 71, Ydg 6612, Slope/Rating 123/70.5
1 Becker Gilewich, Edmonton, AB, M, 16 70-73 (143)
2 Owen Bruins, Medicine Hat, AB, M, 16 74-70 (144)
2 Austin Krahn, Christina Lake, BC, M, 16 72-72 (144)
Winning in his first year of competition on the MJT was Becker Gilewich, 16, of Edmonton, AB, who finished the tournament at one-over par, edging out a one-shot victory for the MJT Juvenile Boys Division title and Low Overall honours. “I am happy that I could put it all together for the win,” said Gilewich. “This is exciting, it is my first time winning an MJT event.”
MJT Junior Boys: Copper Point GC: Par 71, Ydg 6612, Slope/Rating 123/70.5
1 Kenny Taylor, Edmonton, AB, M, 17 74-70 (144)
2 Ryan Garbutt, Edmonton, AB, M, 16 75-70 (145)
3 Brett Jones, Calgary, AB, M, 16 70-76 (146)
Finally breaking through as another first-time winner was Kenny Taylor, 17, of Edmonton, AB, who fired a one-under 70 on the final day to hold off all rivals and win the MJT Junior Boys Division title by one stroke. “This feels super unreal!” said Taylor. “This was my first MJT win and definitely not the last. It was a blast competing against Ryan (Garbutt) and I think my game is feeling better than ever.”
Qualifiers: shortlisted spots
MJT National Team Challenge presented by Canada Life at Royal Niagara GC (scores must be from the furthest tees): Becker Gilewich (Edmonton, AB) and Emma Liu (Edmonton, AB)
About The Cart Locker: The Cart Locker is a new partner of the MJT in 2023 and will be providing information on their great storage product at both the MJT Western Championship at Copper Point Golf Club in BC this July, as well as at the MJT Spring Invitational at Galt Country Club in Ontario this April. The Cart Locker is the new essential for golf course storage. Their charging Speed Cart Locker is designed to give members an easy place to store, secure, and charge their electric speed carts at the course while providing an additional revenue stream to the club. Please visit their website for more information.
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, tmatson@maplejt.com, Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour
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