June 15-16, 2024
Stony Plain, AB
Hlushakâs hole-in-one helps secure low overall honours in MJT Ford Series; over 130 youth participate in Stony Plain
Over 130 youth came out to participate in Ford-sponsored events on the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s number one Junior Golf Tour, in Stony Plain, Alberta, over the June 15-16 weekend, in either a free junior clinic sponsored by Zender Ford, or a two-day elite tournament, the MJT Ford Series at Stony Plain Golf Club. Players in the tournament were competing for titles in six divisions, the chance to win a new Ford Escape with a hole-in-one, and the opportunity to be short-listed for both MJT Team Canada to the Jack Newton International Junior Classic in New South Wales, Australia, in October, and the National Team Challenge in Fenwick, ON, this September. Results of the tournament are detailed below.
The golf course was in tremendous condition and the weather cooperated on the first day, but players faced a tough second day with rain and wind playing havoc. A highlight was a hole-in-one on the 14th hole of the first day by Peter Hlushak, 16, of Spruce Grove, AB, just missing winning a new vehicle as that prize was to be had on hole 12 on day two of the competition!
Hlushak went on to win the MJT Junior Boys title (72-71) and Low Overall Boys score, joining Rhea Deo, 14, of Edmonton, AB, who was the Low Overall Girl (76-79) and winner of the MJT Girls U15 division. Other notable performances resulting in division wins were Mataya Hampson, 16, of Rocky View County, AB, in MJT Girls 15-19 (160), Oscar Gosgnach, 11, of Edmonton, AB, in MJT Peewee Boys (157), Jayden Popik, 14, of Sherwood Park, AB, in MJT Bantam Boys (155), and Maciver Davis, 16, of Sherwood Park, in MJT Juvenile Boys (146). Top finisher scores and quotes from the winners are featured below.
Results from the London Drugs Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points can be
found here. For more information on the MJT, please visit the website at
www.maplejt.com.
The next stop in the province is another stop on the MJT Ford Series, to be held at Olds Golf Club in Olds on June 24-25. For more information on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, please visit the website at
www.maplejt.com.
Top Finishers
MJT Girls U15: Stony Plain GC: Par 72, Ydg 5494, Slope/Rating 131/72.8
1
Rhea Deo, Edmonton, AB, F, 14 76-79 (155)
The MJT U15 Girls Division title was well earned by 14-year-old Rhea Deo of Edmonton, AB, who played two impressive rounds on the difficult Stony Plain course, winning by eight shots over her nearest rivals. When asked of her preparation for this event, Deo said, “Physically I just have been practicing and playing everyday, mentally just pushing myself to go out there and practice.”
MJT Girls 15-19: Stony Plain GC: Par 72, Ydg 5494, Slope/Rating 131/72.8
Securing her first win in the MJT Girls 15-19 Division was Mataya Hampson, 16, of Rocky View County, AB, who posted two consistent rounds on the tough Stony Plain track. “I have been training extremely hard over the past few years and one of my goals this year was to place on the podium twice,” said Hampson. “I have been putting in a lot of practice with my coach on and off the course.”
MJT Peewee Boys: Stony Plain GC: Par 72, Ydg 5494, Slope/Rating 122/69.0
Oscar Gosgnach, 11, of Edmonton, AB, won the MJT Peewee Boys Division title with by six shots. When asked about his preparation for this event, Gosgnach stated, “I have been hitting a lot and practicing a lot. I felt very prepared.”
MJT Bantam Boys: Stony Plain GC: Par 72, Ydg 5844, Slope/Rating 122/69.0
3
Judah Wurtz, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, M, 14 81-87 (168)
The MJT Bantam Division title went to 14-year-old Jayden Popik of Sherwood Park, AB, who held on in a tight battle to win his first title on the MJT by one stroke. “I have put a lot of practice into all shots,” said Popik. “I tried as much as possible as I could to stick to the same game plan each day.”
MJT Juvenile Boys: Stony Plain GC: Par 72, Ydg 6473, Slope/Rating 131/72.3
Maciver Davis, 16, of Sherwood Park, AB, came from behind with a final round 72 (even par) in tough conditions to win the MJT Juvenile Boys title, his first win on the MJT. “I tried to just make it fun for myself and not think about the score too much,” said Davis.
MJT Junior Boys: Stony Plain GC: Par 72, Ydg 6473, Slope/Rating 131/72.3
Winning the MJT Junior Boys title and Low Overall honours along with a hole-in-one made for a great weekend for 16-year-old Peter Hlushak of Spruce Grove, AB. Hlushak, as the only player to break par for the weekend, stated “I just tried to not worry about it and keep doing what I am doing. Also, I live nearby so I can come out and putt to get a feel for the greens, which is an advantage.”
Qualifiers List:
Short-Listed Positions:
MJT Team Canada to Australia (JNJG International Junior Classic): Peter Hlushak and Zaidan Dennis
*Based on the JNJG age MJT Team Canada to Australia, which is for 15- to 17-year-olds as of October 4th.
MJT National Team Challenge: Peter Hlushak and Rhea Deo
About Ford Canada: Ford of Canada and the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) are proud to continue with the successful MJT Ford Go Golf! Junior Clinics - an initiative that introduces golf for free to young people, teaching them a game they can benefit from their entire lives. Many thousands of kids have participated in this program since 2006. Clinics have been held in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan where participating Ford Dealers offer free MJT Ford Go Golf! Junior Clinics conducted by PGA of Canada Professionals to children in their community. Ford and the Ford Dealers Association wish to support amateur sport in their communities by introducing children to golf, encouraging them to learn the fundamentals, and rewarding them for their efforts.
www.ford.ca
About the MJT: The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is Canada’s #1 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 partners across various tiers, including Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels. The MJT hosts more than 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.