Young Albertan golfers had their skills tested Aug. 7 and 8 at the Wolf Creek Golf Resort during a stop on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf tour (MJT).
Heavy rains and wind Aug. 8 forced golfers to play 9 of the 18 holes, which caused trouble for some players. Trent Matson, Alberta tournament director says the tour is nationwide with 60 Canadian stops and two in the United States this year.
The Wolf Creek Golf Resort is ranked as one of the top 30 golf clubs in Canada and Matson says the chance to bring the tour to Ponoka is a big opportunity for the young players.
“It’s an incredible venue. It’s highly ranked in Canada,” says Matson.
He says more clubs are inviting the MJT to their courses in an effort to support younger players. Giving these golfers a chance to compete on nationally ranked courses provides valuable experience.
“We want to develop champions in golf and in life,” he added.
In the last 16 years, the MJT has helped 500 young Canadian golfers receive scholarships in United States’ schools. Matson says they have strong relationships with college and university coaches and work closely with them to find players they are looking for.
The day before the MJT tournament started, the group held a golf clinic for 65 young golfers Aug. 6 hosted by Legacy Ford. Matson feels these clinics help drive interest in the game that some may find daunting when getting started.
Ponoka was well represented with four local golfers: Candler McLaren, Daria and Shaye Leidenius and Kolby Vold all took part in the experience.
McLaren, 19, says his seventh place spot was not his best performance but this is only his second year competing in the sport. He hopes to hone his skills and join the team at Red Deer College in the fall.
Daria finished third in the girls category with Shaye following close behind in fourth spot. Vold finished 12th.
Results:
Girls:
First: Emily Creaser, Edmonton
Second: Rayna Oosterhuis, Edmonton
Third: Daria Leidenius
Bantam boys:
First: Korbin Allan, Lyalta
Second: Zachary Farkas
Third: Ronnie Postnikoff, Medicine Hat
Juvenile boys:
Justin Berget, Spruce Grove
Landon Stellingwerff, Calgary
Alexander Smith, Calgary
Junior Boys:
Grant Numrich, Red Deer
Jaxon Lynn, Sylvan Lake
Keaton Allred, Edmonton