McDowell Fires Seven Under On MJT Alberta Series Presented By Red Deer College Athletics; Shortlisted For ITC Team West
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2017-06-13
Chandler McDowell Claims Low Overall At River Bend GC. (Photo/MJT)
RED DEER, Alberta – Golf Canada Development Team member, Chandler McDowell, fired a seven-under par 71-66 at the MJT Alberta Series presented by Red Deer College Athletics in Red Deer, Alberta, June 10 and 11, to claim Low Overall together with the MJT Junior Boys 17-18 title and a shortlisted spot on MJT’s Team West to the International Team Challenge (ITC) presented by Freedom 55 Financial at Royal Niagara Golf Club in Niagara Falls, ON, September 22nd to 24th.
Players were competing in seven age divisions on Canada’s number one played Junior Golf Tour at River Bend Golf and Recreation, where Red Deer College Athletics was represented by Head Golf Coach Scott Bergdahl and Assistant Coach Jeff Willmer, on hand to meet the players and recruit for future teams. The weather was terrible on day one with rain and wind, improving on day two to overcast but warm, and the course was in great shape, considering the amount of rainfall lately.
McDowell, 17, of Springbrook, AB, had it to eight-under through 11 holes on day two, ending up shooting a tremendous round of 66 to finish. “It feels good to win as always, and gives me some confidence heading into the Glencoe Invitational,” he said. “My key was ball striking, I think I hit 30 out of 36 greens this week.”
Highlights on the other division champions at the River Bend event are featured below, and overall event highlights are posted on the MJT website here showing winners of the Miura ‘Respect the Game’ Award, PLYR Long Drive, PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin and Golf Town Performance Awards.
The MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 winner was Samuel Hamelin, 16, of Stettler, AB, who shot 74,72=146, and beat Colby Friedrich, 15 of Battleford, SK, by six shots, securing Hamelin one of the shortlisted spots on MJT Team West to the ITC. Hamelin said, “It feels great to finally win! It is about time that I played well for two days. I played very well today which was nice. It is my first win on the MJT.”
In the new MJT Collegiate Boys 19-23 division, Logan Hill, 20, of Red Deer, who is currently playing for his second year on the Red Deer College team, shot 74,74=148, good enough for a three-stroke win over Dakota Smith, 21, of Edmonton, AB.
Thomas Sluka, 13, of Canmore, AB, was the MJT Bantam Boys 13-14 winner after he shot 75,70=145, for an eight stroke victory over Luke Quanson, 13 of Edmonton, AB, and his third win of the season on the MJT. “I love to play MJT events, and I love River Bend,” said Sluka, who also previously qualified for the Junior World Championships on the MJT. “I am most excited to be heading to the Junior Worlds in July. It has the best players in the world, and will be great to see all the players.”
The MJT Peewee Boys 11-12 title went to Ethan Wilson, 12, of St. Albert, AB, after he shot 75,76=151, and won by five strokes over Bradin Stahl, 12, of Priddis, AB. “It feels awesome to win! This is my first win after 3 runner-ups,” said Wilson. “It is also my last event before I turn 13 so it is a nice way to finish. I made a lot of clutch come back putts this weekend.”
In the Girls divisions MJT Girls 15-18 winner was Victoria Tse, 16, of Calgary, AB, who shot 91,79=170, to beat Alyshia Suleman, 17, of Sherwood Park, AB, by eight strokes. Tse’s play shortlisted her as well for MJT West Team for the ITC matches to be played in Niagara Falls this September. “It feels great to win my division,” she said. “I am glad to get my first win in Red Deer. I feel that my driving was a huge advantage, better and normal. I played this weekend because my brother was playing and I thought it would be good experience.”
MJT Girls U15 champion was Ella Gifford, 14, of Beaumont, AB, (88,84=172) who defeated Alanna Makarchuk, 14, of Taber, AB, and said, “I am very happy to win. This is my first MT tournament. I really wanted to play MJT, and this one finally worked with my schedule.”
The next two Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stops in the province are the MJT PGA of Alberta / Ford Junior Championship at McKenzie Meadows Golf Club in Calgary on July 17 to 19, followed by the MJT Alberta Series at Heritage Pointe Golf and Country Club in Dewinton on July 24 and 25. For more information or to register, please 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 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 visit www.maplejt.com.
<pAbout RDC Athletics
Red Deer College has an impressive athletics tradition. RDC Athletic teams have won 19 National Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) titles, more than 145 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) team titles and 30 ACAC individual titles. Our student-athletes and coaches have received countless individual honours both for academic and sporting achievement. This year, the College has more than 175 student-athletes competing in 7 sports on 15 teams. Click here for the website.