Winnipeg, MB – Hot, sunny weather with a small breeze led PGA Professional and MJT Tournament Director, Ed Boge, to describe the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s recent tournament at the Bel Acres Golf & Country Club in Winnipeg, MB, as ‘a great two days of golf.’ The MJT Eat Sleep Golf Series ran July 24th and 25th and witnessed very close races for division titles, capped off by a four hole playoff to crown the overall champion. Elliott Panciera, 17, of East St. Paul, MB, shot 75-78 (153) to tie for the Junior Boys 17-19 lead with Austin Dobrescu, 17, of Brandon, MB, who fired 76-77 (153). Dobrescu did all he could, scrambling on the third playoff hole to force a fourth where Panciera drained a 20 foot birdie putt for the win. “It felt good to win,” he said, “especially with all my friends and family in attendance.” The tough competition continued in the division with a three-way tie for third place at 155 total score between Steve Young, 18, of La Salle, MB (80, 75), Aaron McIntyre, 17, of Winnipeg, (78, 77) and Brett Swidinsky, 18, also of Winnipeg (78, 77).
Kyle Leiman, 16, from Victoria, BC, made the trip to the tournament worth his while with a good opening round of 75, giving him a six shot lead in the Juvenile Boys 15-16 division heading into day two. He then played smart enough to hold on for the win with a two day total of 156. “My two straight birdies to start were key,” said Leiman. “It feels great to win; it took a lot of hard work but it was fun.” Josh Martineau, 16, of East St. Paul, was three better on day two which earned him the runner-up spot (81, 78=159) while Cameron McIntyre, 15, of Winnipeg, carded a pair of 81’s that was good enough for third.
Wesley Hoydalo of Selkirk, MB, and Ryan McMillan of Winnipeg battled it out in the Bantam Boys division with it coming down to the last hole. McMillan had a one shot lead going into 18 after birdies on holes 16 and 17 and finished at 74, 75 (149), however Hoydalo made a birdie to win by one with fine scores of 75, 73 (148), stating that is felt ‘awesome.’ Cole Uzat, 14, of Selkirk, fired a solid 75 on his second day to capture third (81, 75=156).
Alexandra Demko, 15, all the way from Thunder Bay, ON, captured her first 2014 MJT Girls division title with solid rounds of 82-78 to win by three strokes. “The course was in great condition – I really enjoyed playing Bel Acres – it’s beautiful,” she said. “The competitors I played with both days were awesome – they kept me relaxed and we all had a really fun time out there. The support from all the girls here makes the long travel worth it.” McKyla Poponick, 17, of Selkirk, finished second with a two day total of 163 after posting consistent scores of 82-81. Winnipeggers Katherine McGlenen and Brynn Todd, both 16, tied for third place at 168 total score after McGlenen was 10 shots better on her second day (89-79) to catch up with Todd (85-83).
The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive contest were McGlenen (St Charles CC), McMillan (Elmhurst G&CC), Cole Ferguson (Assiniboine Golf Club) and Steve Young (St. Charles Golf and Country Club). Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners were Brynn Todd (St. Charles G&CC), Brady Bandura (Elmhurst CC) of Selkirk, Cole Ferguson and Joshua Kitt (Eagles Landing) of Dryden, ON. Golf Town Comeback Awards for best second-day improvement in score went to McGlenen, Braxton Kuntz (Breezy Bend GC) of Winnipeg, Timmy Cromarty of Selkirk and Colwyn Abgrall (Southwood G&CC) of Niverville, MB.
Canada’s most-played junior golf tour wraps up the Manitoba circuit at Transcona Golf Club in Winnipeg with the MJT-PGA of Manitoba Junior Championship presented by National Bank Financial on August 19th and 20th. For full details and online registration, interested juniors can visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.
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 generously supported by Boston Pizza and Premier Partners Cleveland Golf, Srixon, Ford, Mr. Lube, Golf Town and Travel Underwriters, in addition to valued Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts more than 70 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7-12 year olds, and multi-day events for competitive players which also qualify juniors 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.
MEDIA CONTACT: MJT - Elaine Denton - [email protected] - 1-877-859-GOLF
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Reminder: Results for the full field in the MJT Eat Sleep Golf Series at Bel Acres GC, July 24-25, can be found at http://www.maplejt.com/tour.php?id=2014031&p=results; Photo gallery is posted at http://www.maplejt.com/tour.php?id=2014031&p=photos
