Junior Golfer Verjee Wins New Car With Hole-In-One; Kaura’s Searing 66 Seals Top Spot In MJT Ford Series At Olds
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- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2021-07-06
OLDS, Alberta — A once-in-a-lifetime occurrence highlighted the Maple Leaf Junior Golf’s MJT Ford Series at Olds Central Highlands, in Olds, AB, on June 28 and 29, where 107 young golfers were competing in six divisions as well as for the chance win a new car in a MJT Ford Hole-in-One contest.
Since partnering with the MJT many years ago, Ford Canada and local Ford dealerships have provided spectacular benefits for junior golfers, growing the game in Canada by offering free junior clinics to kids under the age of 12 and offering the chance for tournament players to win a new car via a Ford Hole-in-One contest. For the second time in MJT’s history, a player made a hole-in-one on the contest hole at Olds Golf Club to take home a brand-new Ford.
On the 13th hole of the second round at Olds Golf Club, Calgary, AB, resident Trae Verjee, in the MJT Junior Boys Division, stepped up on the 163-yard par three and hit the ball straight into the hole. “It’s unreal, the greatest feeling ever,” commented Verjee, who is now the second MJT member to drive away with a brand-new Ford EcoSport!
More highlights continued in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division after 16-year-old Aneesh Kaura, of Calgary, AB, fired brilliant rounds of 73 and 66 (139) to win by six shots. Kaura’s 66 on day two included an eagle and five birdies, with a five-under par back nine. “I stayed calm under the pressure,” he said, after holding off a tremendous field at Olds Golf Club and also winning Low Overall Score. “I felt honored to get the chance to play on the MJT and I’m excited for the future.” Graysen Collins, 15, of Calgary, AB, was runner-up in the division after shooting 74 and 71 (145).
The MJT Junior Boys Division witnessed 17-year-old Logan Graf come from behind to earn the title. The Sylvan Lake, AB, golfer shot a 74 in the first round to sit two shots back of the lead. Graf turned up the heat in the second one charging up the leaderboard with a sizzling 67, which included an eagle and five birdies in the span of 11 holes. Graf’s total score of 141 was enough to win by two shots. “I tried not to worry about the score and just play each shot at a time,” commented Graf, when asked about the key to his comeback. “It’s exciting to get the win!” Edmonton, AB, golfer Blake Reimer, 18, carded 73 and 70 (143) to finish second.
Calgary’s Tom Dyack, 14, won the MJT Bantam Boys title with rock-steady scores of 73 and 74 (147). Dyack, playing in his first year on the MJT, made seven birdies over the course of 36 holes to earn his first career MJT victory. “It feels great to keep my composure and hold on for the win,” he said. “My short game was the key to my victory as I was able to get up and down almost every time I missed a green.” Peter Hlushak, 13, of Spruce Grove, AB, earned a runner-up podium spot at Olds Golf Club after recording scores of 73 and 80 (153).
The MJT Girls 15-19 Division saw 14-year-old Tessa Ion hold on for a three-shot victory at Olds Golf Club. The Calgary-resident fired 76 and 72 (148), making an eagle and six birdies along the way. “I enjoyed playing with some great players and I’m happy with the way I played,” mentioned Ion, after her second round. “Everyone was impacted by the heat, but I kept positive throughout the tournament and got the win.” Jenna Bruggeman, 17, of Edmonton, AB, made an impressive charge on day two (82-69=148) to finish tied for second with16-year-old Calgary golfer Brynne Davies (76-75=151).
Solomon Tong, 11, of Heritage Pointe, AB, shot 80 and 75 (155) to win the MJT Peewee Boys title. Tong, who was tied for the lead after the first day, separated from the field on day two to pick up his first MJT Junior Tour victory. “I kept calm during the tougher times in my rounds,” commented Tong, who bounced back the way he needed to after a couple of poor shots. “I feel really good about my first MJT win.”
Veteran champion Eileen Park, of Red Deer, AB, once again claimed the top of the MJT Girls U15 podium. The 12-year-old elite golfer has gone three for three so far on the MJT this year, picking up wins in the first three Alberta Junior Tour events. Park recorded scores of 80 and 78 (158) at Olds Golf Club to win by three shots. “The course was in great shape,” she stated. “I’ve had a great start to the season and I’m proud to have won all my tournaments so far.” Kali Yeske, 12, of Calgary, shot 81 and 80 (161) for runner-up in the division.
The MJT Booster Juice Comeback awards for most improved scores from round two over round one were Aliyah Hull, Jenna Bruggeman, Solomon Tong, Liam Czirjak, Massimo Naccarato, and Kye Krall. Full results can be viewed here. The MJT Alberta Junior Tour circuit next heads to Calgary on July 12-14 for the major-ranked MJT Ford Series / PGA of Alberta Junior Championship at McKenzie Meadows Golf Club. More details can be found at www.maplejt.com.
About Ford
Ford of Canada employs over 23,000 talented individuals in the fields of finance, sales and marketing, information technology, manufacturing and engineering, and human resources. This diverse workforce is responsible for the manufacturing and assembly operations that bring 320,000 vehicles and 425,000 engines to market. At Ford we are proud to be Canada’s longest-established automaker and remain committed to building a strong future in Canada. www.ford.ca.
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 close to 90 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.