Over 140 Compete In MJT’s Moon Lake Successful Stop In Saskatoon; Danielson Cards Five Eagles In Junior Tour Event
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2021-07-31
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan — In total, an impressive field of over 140 young golfers competed in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s stop at Moon Lake Golf and Country Club in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, this past week. A wait-listed field of 107 players from across Alberta and Saskatchewan were competing for titles in six divisions in the Junior Tour for players 11 to 19, while the Mini Tour for 12U players allowed 35 players, heralding an exciting future for golf in the province.
A tournament highlight came in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division where 16-year-old Thomas Danielson of Saskatoon, SK, fired two under-par rounds of 70 and 69 (139) along the way to low overall score and a convincing win. “I was pretty confident with my game going into the tournament,” commented Danielson. “Every part of my game was sharp and responsible for getting the win.” Another Saskatoon golfer, Max Regier, 15, fired a pair of 75s (150) to finish as runner-up in the division.
The MJT Junior Boys Division saw a tight contest to the very end with only one shot separating the top three contenders. Medicine Hat, AB, resident Sam Bratvold, 19, came out on top capturing the title with scores of 70 and 71 (141). “I was excited to get the win because I have been working on my ball striking and that paid off in the tournament,” said Bratvold. “I missed some makeable putts but stayed calm and got the win.” Saskatoon’s Chase Pochylko (69-73), 17, and Wawota, SK’s Theoren West (68-74), 18, tied with two-day total scores of 142 for the runner-up position.
After consistently finishing in the top five over the last two years on the MJT, 18-year-old Symone Ripley made her first appearance in the MJT Girls 15-19 winner’s circle at Moon Lake. The local golfer from Saskatoon carded 80 and 82 (162) to earn her first career MJT title. “I felt pretty confident going into the tournament,” commented Ripley. “I tried not to worry about the leaderboard and I just focused on playing my best golf.” Regina, SK, resident Hallie Crozier, 16, took home second place with scores of 84 and 83 (167).
Dane Giesbrecht, 13, of Warman, SK, held on to the very end for a one-shot victory in the MJT Bantam Boys Division. Giesbrecht recorded scores of 72 and 74 (146). “I was a little nervous, but felt good pretty quickly,” stated Giesbrecht. “My putting and tee shots were good enough to get me the win.” Thirteen-year-old Elias Haukeness, of Buena Vista, SK, made a late charge on day two to finish in second place just one shot behind (77-70=147).
Earning her third consecutive victory in the MJT Girls U15 Division was 13-year-old Chloe Wills, of Kyle, SK. Wills fired scores of 88 and 83 (171), continuing her dominant presence on the MJT in Saskatchewan. “After a bad hole, I bounced back really well with some good holes,” she said afterwards. “My driving distance gives me an advantage and I was able to convert some putts.” Runner-up was Tayla Perry, 12, of Regina, SK (90, 93=183).
The MJT Peewee Boys Division saw 12-year-old Aricin Franklin win with scores of 72 and 79 (151). The Saskatoon player, who is playing in his first full season on the MJT Saskatchewan Junior Tour, said afterwards, “I felt very excited because it’s my first junior tour win. I felt really good on the course and my whole game improved as the tournament went on.” Regina, SK, player Adam Muntain, 12, finished with scores of 72 and 83 (155) to take home second place.
The MJT Booster Juice BounceBack award for most improved scores in round two over round one went to Chloe Wills, Devrie Bloom, Jackson Giesbrecht, Nash Sperle, Oly Sintel, and Hudson Chernoff. Full results can be viewed here.
The MJT Saskatchewan Junior Tour makes its next stop in Waskesiu on August 14 and 15 for the MJT Golf Saskatchewan Order of Merit Series at Elk Ridge Resort. More details can be found online at www.maplejt.com.
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.