Howes, Kidd Complete Comebacks At MJT’s Edge School Showcase At Coyote Creek
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2021-08-19
SUNDRE, Alberta — Canada’s number-one played junior golf tour made its way to Sundre, AB, to host the MJT Edge School Showcase at Coyote Creek Golf Club, one of the few remaining events available for players to earn points on the MJT Order of Merit presented by RBC to qualify for the MJT National Championship presented by TaylorMade and adidas Golf.
Medicine Hat, AB, resident Sam Bratvold, 19, held on to the win in the MJT Junior Boys Division with fine scores of 71 and 73 (144). Bratvold sat with a two-shot lead after the first round and four players finishing within four shots of him. Bratvold opened the second day going one-under par in his first five holes and held it together from there. “I had been working hard on my wedges before the tournament and that definitely paid off,” he commented. “I’m really excited to get the win.” Stettler, AB, golfer Shay Anderson, 17, recorded a pair of 73s (146) to finish in second place just two shots back.
The MJT Girls 15-19 Division saw some stellar play on day two from 16-year-old Georgia Barr, of Calgary, AB. Barr fired an opening round of 77 to sit tied for the lead and followed that up with a 70 for a total of 147 and a five-shot victory. “I felt like my driver was consistently in the fairway and my wedges were fairly accurate,” commented Barr. Tied for runner-up with a total score of 152 were Aastha Savadatti, 14, of Calgary, AB (78-74) and Belle Brezovski, 16, of St. Albert, AB, (77-75).
After sitting four shots back, 16-year-old Ethan Howes, of Fort Saskatchewan, AB, came back on day two to edge out victory in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division by a single shot. Howes shot 77 and 70 (147), marking his first 2021 MJT win after picking up two top-three finishes already this year. “I felt good and ready to make the comeback,” commented Howes. “Everything clicked on the second day and my ball striking was dialed in and I drained a few putts.” Recording scores of 73 and 75 (148) to finish in the runner-up position was 16-year-old Sahaj Klair, of Edmonton, AB.
After also sitting in a four-shot deficit going into day two, 13-year-old Tyler Kidd fired an excellent second-day score of 68 to comeback and win the MJT Bantam Boys title. The Buck Lake, AB, golfer shot 75 and 68 (143), pulling away from the field after making birdie four times in his opening seven holes on the day two. “I felt confident with my swing coming into the event,” commented Kidd. “I was hitting some good tee shots which made the holes easier and my putting was better than it has ever been.” Finishing in a tie for second place in the division were 13-year-old Brae Rogalczyk, of Innisfail, AB, and 14-year-old Kohen Yeske, of Calgary, AB, who fired identical scores of 74 and 73 (147).
The brilliance of 12-year-old Eileen Park continues in the MJT Girls U15 Division where she dominates the top of the leaderboard, sealing another victory at Coyote Creek with the Low Overall Girl scores of 70 and 74 (144) for the tournament. “It was very hot on the second day and I learned how to keep cool and hydrated,” said Park, who overcame the elements with ease. “I felt confident going into the tournament and it feels great to get the win.” Runner-up in the division was Kali Yeske, 12, of Calgary, AB (83, 80=163).
Ryan Johnson, 12, of Calgary, AB, won the MJT Peewee Boys title by two shots with scores of 76 and 76 (152). “I felt nervous and excited at the same time going into this event,” Johnson said. “My short game was most responsible for my win.” Red Deer, AB, golfer Bennett Love, 10, finished the division in the runner-up position with scores of 81 and 73 (154).
The MJT Booster Juice BounceBack Awards for most improved score in round two over round one went to Raylee Denton, Georgia Barr, Bennett Love, Mateo Kern, Massimo Naccarto, and Jonace Johnson.
More information 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.