By TERRY PUGH
Ethan Hunter has added another division win to his growing string of Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) victories.
Hunter took top spot in the MJT Junior Boys category at Deer Valley Golf and Estates near Lumsden during a 2024 Golf Saskatchewan Order of Merit (OOM) Series tournament July 15 and 16.
The win allowed Hunter to be short-listed for both Team MJT at the National Team Challenge in Fenwick, Ontario in September; as well as MJT Team Canada at the Jack Newton International Junior Golf Classic tournament in New South Wales, Australia, in October.
The 14-year-old golfer from the hamlet of Casa Rio in Corman Park said he tried to keep his emotions in check during the two-day event at Deer Valley, an immaculate course nestled in the scenic Qu’Appelle Valley.
“I just tried to focus on the next shot and not get too ahead of myself,” said Hunter.
“I took today’s round one shot at a time.”
Hunter recorded a 79 on his first round and a 72 on the second day for a combined total score of 151 – the lowest score of all competitors at the tournament of elite young golfers.
Tied for the runner-up spot in Hunter’s division was 15-year-old Dante Gamble of Duck Lake, whose overall score of 157 was just six back of Hunter. Gamble was one of two golfers who led the pack at the close of the opening day, recording a 78. He scored a 79 on the second day.
Tied for second place was 15-year-old Kal Kriekle of Regina, whose scores on both days was identical to Gamble’s: 78 on the first day, 79 on the second day for a combined score of 157.
Also shortlisted for the MJT Team Canada to Australia position was 17-year-old Jordan Heller of Regina. The other young golfer short-listed for the Team MJT at the National Challege was 15-year-old Tayla Perry of Regina.
The next stop in the province is the MJT Zeal Series at Moon Lake Golf and Country Club in Corman Park, south of Saskatoon, on July 29-30.
The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is the only national junior tour run exclusively by PGA of Canada Professionals and the ‘Road to College Golf’ in Canada. The MJT hosts more than 100 events across Canada, promoting the game from grassroots through to the provincial, national, university and professional levels.