Two Playoffs Needed in MJT’s Big Max Series at Carlisle
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2019-07-31
By MAPLE LEAF JUNIOR GOLF TOUR
CARLISLE, Ontario — Excitement reigned in Carlisle, ON, as playoffs were needed to decide two out of the seven division winners in the MJT Big Max Series at Carlisle Golf Club on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour on July 27 and 28. The field of junior golfers were also competing for the chance to be selected for MJT Team Ontario in the National Team Challenge presented by Freedom 55 Financial at Royal Niagara Golf Club this September.
The first playoff took place in the MJT Juvenile Boys division between Aiden Shah, 15, of Waterloo, ON, and Tyler May, 15, of and Fergus, ON. May (72, 79 - 151) took a three-lead into the second round over third-place finisher, Vick Gu (75, 77 - 152), 16, of Markham, ON, and a five-shot lead over Shah (77, 74 - 151). Shah quickly eliminated the five-shot deficit making two birdies on his way to an even-par front nine to tie May. By the 17th hole, Shah carried a one-shot lead, but a late 18th-hole birdie by May forced a playoff between the two competitors. Completing the comeback on the second playoff hole was Shah, who grabbed his first MJT title. “The highlight of the tournament was making some lengthy birdie putts during the second round as well as winning in a playoff,” he said. “It’s nice to know that all the hard work I’ve been doing is paying off.”
The MJT Collegiate division also needed a playoff, and it only took one extra hole for Waterloo’s Lucas Patton, 20, to earn the victory over North York, ON’s Matthew Medhurst, 19. After the first round, Patton (84, 77 - 161), acquired a one-shot lead over Medhurst (85, 76, - 161), but a stretch of three birdies in four holes in the middle of his second round propelled Medhurst into the lead. As the players went back and forth all tournament, Patton’s late push, which included two birdies in his final three holes, forced the playoff. “It was exciting to go in a playoff,” remarked Patton. “The MJT tournaments are always weekends to look forward to.”
Winning the MJT Bantam Boys division with rounds of 74 and 68 (142) was veteran-champion, Andreas Diogenous, of Cambridge, ON. The 14-year-old player fired the low round of the tournament with a 68 on his way to his sixth consecutive MJT victory. “The competition was great out there and it feels really special to win my sixth tournament this year,” he said. Coming in second place, playing up a division, with respectable rounds of 76 and 71 (147), was Toronto’s Matthew Javier, 12.
A close finish took place in the MJT Junior Boys division where 18-year-old, Kevin Frehner, of London, ON, emerged with a two-shot victory over 18-year-old, Yashin Kapadia, of Brampton, ON. Kapadia (72, 81 - 153) held a five-shot lead after the first round but was met with an early upsurge by Frehner (77, 74 - 151) that included three birdies and a one-under front nine. Frehner commented, “It was an absolute rollercoaster of a tournament, but it feels great to come back and win.”
Milton, ON’s Rozlyn Rooke, 14, put on a fantastic display of golf in the MJT Girls 15-18 division over the weekend. Rooke carded 73 and 74 (147) that included a stretch of eight holes in the middle of her second round where she went bogey free and made four birdies. Attributing her win to her mental game, Rooke said, “From the MJT tournaments, I’ve learned to stay calm and be myself when I’m playing. The highlight of the tournament was my attitude because I stayed positive the whole time and I got the win.” After finishing 12th in the first MJT event of 2019, Rooke has slowly climbed up the leaderboards in her tournaments and finds herself back in the winner’s circle for the first time this season. Finishing runner-up was 16-year-old, Elaine Giantsopoulos, of Richmond Hill, ON, who shot 76 and 81 (157).
In the Girls U15 division, North York resident, Kelly Zhao, 13, grabbed her second Hoselton trophy of the season after making four birdies on her way to a 75 and 72 (147) and playing three of her four nine holes at even par. 13-year-old, Kaitlyn Ellis, of Oakville, ON, finished the division in second place with scores of 76 and 79 (155).
The MJT Peewee Boys title went to Evan Wee, 12, of Richmond Hill, who fired a pair of 84s (168) to beat Alex Stone, 11, of Burlington, ON (96-90=186).
For PLYR Long Drive, PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin and the MJT Booster Juice Comeback Award winners, please visit the highlights page for the tournament here. Selections for the Team in the MJT National Team Challenge will be announced after all qualifying has completed.
The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in Ontario is the MJT Ontario Series at Copetown Woods Golf Club in Copetown, August 10 and 11. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.
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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.