McDonald Makes Two Birdies Late to Come from Behind and Take MJT Low Overall at Glendale
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2019-07-01
By THE MAPLE LEAF JUNIOR GOLF TOUR
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour completed its third of five 2019 MJT Manitoba events on June 26 and 27 at Glendale Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg. Junior golfers between the ages of 11 and 20 were competing for titles in seven divisions as well spots on MJT Team Canada to Sweden for the Nordic Junior Team Matches later this year.
“It was two hot and sunny days on a great golf course,” commented Tournament Director, Ed Boge. “The greens were fast with some tricky hole locations which made for exciting golf.”
A nail-biting finish took place in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division where 15-year old, Jordon McDonald (78, 73 - 151), made two birdies in his final five holes on the second day to win by two shots over 16-year old, Neel Soni (80, 73 - 153), of Winnipeg, MB. McDonald, also a Winnipeg product, made seven birdies on his way to his second Hoselton trophy of 2019. “The highlight of the tournament was definitely making those seven birdies,” said McDonald. “I was happy to make two when I needed them the most at the end.”
The MJT Junior Boys title was taken by MJT veteran, Jacob Armstrong after he fired rounds of 77 and 76 (153). The 17-year old player out of Winnipeg made three birdies and an eagle on the final day to cruise to his second MJT tournament win of 2019. “I made some good swings this week and was happy with the way I played,” commented Armstrong. Finishing second with scores of 78 and 83 (161) was Winnipeg’s Lachlan Allerton, 17.
Noah Goertzen, 19, of Homewood, MB, picked up his second MJT tournament win of 2019 in as many starts in the MJT Collegiate Division. Goertzen, who carded scores of 79 and 91 (170), finished three shots ahead of 20-year old, Nicholas Glesby, of Winnipeg (88, 85 - 173), and stated, “It feels great to win my division and to hold on after not playing my best on the second day.”
13-year old, Jack Taylor (89, 79 - 168), captured the MJT Bantam Boys title. After being down six shots to the leader after the first day, the Winnipeg native made three birdies on his way to an even-par back nine during round two and climbed the leaderboard to win the division by three shots over 13-year old, Austin Boge, also of Winnipeg (86, 85 - 171). Taylor, who had two runner-up finishes prior to the Glendale tournament, finally cracked the winner’s circle after three years on the MJT. “After having two previous second-place finishes, it feels amazing to win this tournament,” commented Taylor after receiving his trophy. “I’m looking forward to the next event in at Selkirk to see if I can continue my good play.” Along with the Hoselton trophy, Taylor also took home the MJT Booster Juice Comeback Award for the improvement in his two rounds.
The MJT Peewee Boys Division was won by 12-year old Carson Inman, with scores of 82 and 86 (168). The Portage La Prairie, MB resident said, “It feels good to win my last MJT tournament in the Peewee Division.” Inman turns 13 on June 30 and will move up to the MJT Bantam Boys Division. Finishing second in the division with scores of 94 and 82 (176) was 11-year old, Brayden Boge, of Winnipeg.
Winnipeg’s Armaan Dhillon, 14, who came out to shoot 108 and 107 (215) in the MJT Girls U15 division for Low Overall among the girls, stated, “The MJT hosts such great events and I love playing in them!” Sarah Farmer, 16, of Winnipeg, carded rounds of 119 and 103 (222) and took home the MJT Girls 15-18 trophy. “The highlight of the tournament for me was having a better second round,” she said.
For PLYR Long Drive, PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin and the other MJT Booster Juice Comeback Award winners, please visit the highlights page for the tournament here. Finalists of the spots to Sweden will be announced once qualifying completes across the country.
The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour has two more stops in the province - the MJT Manitoba Series at Selkirk Golf and Country Club on July 22 and 23 and the MJT Bieber Classic PGA of Manitoba Junior Championship at Breezy Bend Golf Club on August 25 and 26. 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 close to 80 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. See www.maplejt.com.