FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 23, 2006
MJT TEAM CANADA WINS HARD FOUGHT BATTLE IN MEXICO
CUERNAVACA, MEX: The 5th annual International Junior Golf Team Invitational concluded in victory for the Canadian contingent last week at Club de Golf Santa Fe in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
The eight junior golfers on MJT Team Canada successfully defended their title from last year after a close, tight battle, finishing with a two point winning margin in the unique match play format.
Teams representing the countries of Canada, USA, Mexico and Guatemala played best ball matches in the first round, alternate shot on the second, and singles matches in the third and final round. The event celebrated youth, sport and cultural diversity, and was covered by FOX Sports in Mexico.
MJT Team Canada was selected from qualifiers held across the country earlier this season by the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada's only national junior tour run by Golf Professionals. The team, which was sponsored by Travel Underwriters - Official International Events Partner of the MJT - included Kristina Gargaro, 16, of Port Moody, BC, Mitchell Lock, 18, of Mission, BC, Brett Webster, 18, of Abbotsford, BC, Breanne Neufeld, 16, of Coaldale, AB, Craig Gibson, 17, of Brooks, AB, Cornel Smith, 18, of Regina, SK, Josh Bamberger, 16, of Waterloo, ON, and Will Thornburrow, 16, of Toronto, ON.
Opening ceremonies were attended by embassy officials and dignitaries from the State of Morelos, and featured the Mexican army band playing national anthems as a player from each team raised their country's flag.
"The opening day ceremony was an emotional experience. The kids were so proud to represent their country and enjoyed all the pomp and circumstance," said Nan Mitzel, chaperone to the U.S. Team.
Dean Lock, MJT Team Captain, had nothing but good things to say about the undertaking by the Canadians: "Once again this was a fantastic opportunity and experience for everyone involved. The competition was even tougher this year and it was an honour to accompany the Team who represented Canada so well. From bonding during the practice round, to the three rounds of competition and the social experiences integrated into the event by the organizers, the whole event was superb. I was very proud of each and every one of the Canadian players and know this is a lifetime experience they will always remember."
MJT Team Canada will be returning to Mexico in 2007 for the 6th annual event, where the popularity of the international matches has even more countries booked to send teams.
As a not-for-profit association, the national Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) is presented by Boston Pizza and helps develop Canada's junior golfers, offering clinics, tournaments, international competitions and more. Now in its eighth season, the MJT is proud to provide juniors with high level international opportunities that take the game far beyond the course and highlight the program's purpose of developing champions - in golf and in life. From free introductory clinics sponsored by Ford to 40 tournaments in 7 provinces across Canada including the major CPGA Zone-endorsed junior championships, the MJT offers a quality experience for players. For more information please visit www.maplejt.com.
For more information contact: Elaine Denton
Director of Marketing and PR, MJT
Phone: 1-877-859-GOLF
Email: edenton@maplejt.com
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COMMENTARY ON THE PLAY:
DAY ONE: BEST BALL MATCHES
Match 1:
Canada: Will Thornburrow, Cornel Smith
Mexico: Roberto Ruiz, Mario L?pez
USA: Jens Bracht, Tyler McDougall
Canada got ahead early on the Mexicans: they were four up on them through six holes so they started to focus on the Americans where they were two down at the turn after Bracht made a birdie on the 9th hole. Thornburrow made 13 or 14 pars and Smith made three or four birdies so they made a great best ball team and Canada ended up winning 5 and 3 over the Mexicans and finishing all square with the Americans.
Match 2:
Canada: Brett Webster, Kristina Gargaro
Mexico: Ana Alicia Malagon, Kristoffer Ventura
Guatemala: Sebastian Fernandez, Jose Beltranena
Canada got off to a shaky start making bogeys on the first two holes. The Mexicans made a couple of 30 footers on the front and Guatemala also made some good birdies. On the back nine the Mexicans continued to make putts and Guatemalans struggled which allowed Canada to win a couple of holes, but they never got a lead against either team and lost both matches - to Mexico 5 and 3, and to Guatemala 2 and 1.
Match 3:
Canada: Craig Gibson, Josh Bamberger
Mexico: Luis Felipe Torres, Guillermo Salda?a
USA: Paul Mitzel, Cory Mehl
Gibson had a great start shooting 32 on the front nine which gave Canada a 4-up lead on the Americans and 2-up lead on the Mexicans. To start the back nine, the Americans came on making birdies on 10 and 11 but Canada managed to hold them off to win. Luis Felipe Torres had a great back nine having only 10 putts which got Mexico back all square after 18 holes. Canada beat USA 2 and 1, and tied Mexico.
Match 4:
Canada: Mitchell Lock, Breanne Neufeld
Mexico: Ornella Arrizon, Jonathan Noble
USA: Sean McMullen, Katie Saucier
Canada got off to a rocky start missing two short birdie putts on holes 1 and 2. They were holding their own for the first six holes but then the Americans caught fire making three straight birdies and leaving Canada three down. They started a come back, making some putts at the end and finished up beating Mexico 3 and 2 and losing 2 down to the USA on the 18th hole.
DAY TWO: ALTERNATE SHOT MATCHES
Match 1:
Canada: Craig Gibson, Kristina Gargaro
USA: Jens Bracht, Tyler McDougall
Mexico: Luis Felipe Torres, Kristoffer Ventura
Canada started off really solid; Gargaro chipped in on hole 3 to take a commanding lead on both teams. Both players made clutch shots and putts to stay in the game and after 9 holes were 4 up to the US and 3 up to Mexico. Some costly missed putts saw them lose momentum and the USA extended the match to 18 holes, losing on the 18th. The Mexicans took Canada to 17 holes where Canada ended up winning 2 and 1.
Match 2:
Canada: Josh Bamberger, Brett Webster
Mexico: Ana Alicia Malagon, Mario Lopez
USA: Paul Mitzel, Cory Mehl
Canada played steady on the front and got to a one up lead after 9 on both countries. They then lost a couple of holes on the back to the USA and got to 2 down with 3 to play. Canada then won 16 with a par, won 17 with a par, and on 18 hit it on the green to 5 feet, putting pressure on both teams. Canada made the birdie putt and won both matches one up.
Match 3:
Canada: Will Thornburrow, Mitchell Lock
USA: Sean McMullen, Katie Saucier
Mexico: Roberto Ruiz, Jonathan Noble
Poor putting cost the Canadians the matches today. The alternate shot format worked out well for the Mexicans and they were one under when the match ended on the 14th. Some solid putting from the Americans allowed them to pull away from us on holes 11 through 14.
Match 4:
Canada: Cornel Smith, Breanne Neufeld
Mexico: Guillermo Salda?a, Ornella Arrizon
Guatemala: Sebastian Fernandez, Jose Beltranena
Canada got off to a shaky start but then started to bring it all together. The Guatemalans started out fine and just got better from there. The Mexicans unfortunately could not get the putter going and got knocked out early. Canada played as well as they could but Guatemala had lots of distance off every tee, very beneficial in alternate shot.
DAY THREE: SINGLES MATCHES
Match 1:
Canada: Mitchell Lock
Guatemala: Jose Beltranena
Mexico: Kristoffer Ventura
Canada lost to Guatemala 5 and 4 and to Mexico on the 18th hole. "I started off playing well on the front nine but simply got outplayed by Beltranena, " said Lock. "Ventura missed some short putts so I had an early lead on him, but on the back nine I started playing poorly and lost a bunch of holes in a row."