Landslide Win For Graf At MJT International Players Championship Presented By Miura At Jasper
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2017-08-18
JASPER, Alberta – Carter Graf of Sylvan Lake, AB, started his final round with an impressive run of birdie, birdie, par, ace, on day three of the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s MJT International Players Championship (IPC) presented by Miura at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course in iconic Jasper, Alberta, to finish at nine-under par for Low Overall and the IPC Junior Boys Champion title in the tournament on August 14, 15 and 16.
Graf, 16, started his final round at two-under through three holes, then made a hole-in-one on the fourth hole to break things open. He and fellow Alberta Willingdon Cup member, Chandler McDowell, along with two Australian players, Harrison Crowe and Ethan Chambers, were back and forth trying to gain the advantage, but Graf was just too good all week. He fired brilliant rounds of 65,70,69 (204) and won by five strokes over Ethan Chambers, 16, of Sydney, Australia. “Key for me was hitting my wedges close; I made a lot of 10 foot putts this week, and took advantage of the Par fives,” said Graf. “Chandler McDowell had me worried, as well as the Aussie, (Chambers), they played great and Jacob Thomas (from Edmonton) also came on. The highlight for me was making a hole-in-one - the first of my career!”
Braxton Kuntz, 13, of Winnipeg, MB, played sensational golf from 6000 yards and finished the tournament at two under (71,72,69 = 211), winning the IPC Bantam Boys Champion title by 12 shots over his nearest competitor, Thomas Sluka, 14 of Canmore, AB. “The key was probably my putting inside 10 feet, it kept my rounds going,” said Kuntz, adding that the highlights of the tournament were ‘playing this beautiful golf course, playing in a province that I have never been to before, and winning.’
June Song, 15, from Eastwood, Australia, cruised to a six-shot victory over her nearest rival, Maria Fernanda, 15, of Xalapa, MX, winning the IPC Girls Champion title with fantastic scores of 70,73,74 (217). Song, part of Australia’s Jack Newton Junior Golf Development Team, posted three solid rounds and managed the final nine holes to continue Australia’s dominance of the Girls Division Championship with their second win in as many years. Team Australia took the Girls Team Matches title as well.
Michael Harrison, 22, of Camrose, AB, was solid from tee to green all week to claim the new IPC Collegiate Men’s title by one shot over Logan Hill, 20, of Red Deer, AB. Harrison shot a three-round total of 215 (68,74,73) and cited reasons for his win as ‘not making any big numbers, and having a couple of favorable bounces today.’ He added, “The course was awesome too, you soak in the views and forget you are golfing sometimes.”
Miura Golf, a major supporter of Canada’s number-one played junior golf tour, sponsors the International Players Championship, which featured players from across the country as well as from Australia and Mexico, all thrilled to experience the world–class facility of Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course. Full results and overall event highlights are posted on the MJT website showing winners of the Miura ‘Respect the Game’ Award, PLYR Long Drive and PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin competitions.
The IPC presented by Miura marks the final stop in the province of Alberta this season for the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour; members of the tour are now waiting for invitations to the prestigious MJT Boston Pizza National Championship at Reunion Resort, Orlando, FLA, November 10 to 12. For more information, please visit www.maplejt.com.
About Miura Golf
Miura Golf makes the world’s finest forged golf clubs, which are designed and manufactured by the Miura family in their factory in Himeji, Japan. The entire family works hands-on in the factory and continue to carry on the Miura legacy. For more information on Miura Golf visit www.MiuraGolf.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 more than 70 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7-12 year olds, the Collegiate Tour for 19-23 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 on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, please visitwww.maplejt.com