By TERRY PUGH
Sixteen-year-old Dante Gamble of Duck Lake took top honours in the Juvenile Boys division at the Maple Leaf Junior Tour (MJT) PLYR Series tournament at Waskesiu Lake’s Elk Ridge Resort August 9-10.
Gamble, who along with Parker Laliberte won the First Nations Cup earlier this summer; had an exceptional performance on both days of the tournament. He shot a one-under par 71 in round one and an even-par 72 in round two, finishing at 143 to capture both the MJT Juvenile and Low Overall Boys titles.
According to a news release from the MJT, Gamble’s weekend included;nine birdies and an eagle.
“It feels pretty good to finally win a tournament after coming up short all year,” said Gamble, who also praised the team behind the events, saying, “Amazing people run these events. Keep doing a great job.”
During the same event at Elk Ridge Resort August 9-10, 11-year-old Cohen Bridge of Corman Park placed third in the MJT Peewee Boys event, recording rounds of 80 and 77 for a combined total of 157 over the two-day event.
In the MJT Maui Jim Series event at Moon Lake Golf and Country Club in Saskatoon July 28-29, 15-year-old Ethan Hunter of Casa Rio recorded the Low Overall score in the MJT Juvenile Boys division with a two-round score of 139. Hunter shot a 74 the first day but dominated on the second round with a seven-under par 65.
In that event Hunter shot eight birdies and an eagle, allowing him to qualify for the MJT National Tour Challenge and to be shortlisted for the Sergio Garcia Junior Championship.
“It feels really good to come out with a win this week,” said Hunter in an MJT news release about the event. “This win means a lot and gives me a little boost of confidence going in the next tournament. My favourite part is the community of people and competing with all those great golfers.
In that same event at Moon Lake July 28-29, Cohen Bridge placed second in the MJT Peewee Boys division, recording scores of 83 and 85 for a two-round total of 168.
In the MJT Mini Tour event at Moon Lake on July 27, 10-year-old Jackson Orr of Corman Park showed how far he’s come and how players improve through competition with a stellar round of 73.
“Great, it is just the best feeling ever,” said Orr in the MJT news release after the event. “It brings back memories of when I shot a 119 here in my first tour.” His favourite part? “Making new friends and spending 4-5 hours on a golf course enjoying ever moment. I love the MJT.”
The Legends Golf Club in Warman is next up on the MJT tour when it hosts the Order of Merit Series on August 23 and 24. The event will see golfers compete in the Junior Boys Division (ages 17-19), Juvenile Boys division (ages 15-16), Bantam Boys Division (ages 13-14), Pee wee Boys division (ages 12U), Girls 15-19 division and Girls U15 division.
The MJT Mini Tour takes place at Wildwood Golf Course in Saskatoon August 22.