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Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA Professionals

Press Release

May 27-28, 2006
Rebel Creek GC • Petersburg, ON

For Immediate Release — May 7, 2006

Three Qualify for International Competitions at MJT’s Rebel Creek Stop

PETERSBURG, ON – The Ontario season-opener on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s only national junior tour run exclusively by Golf Professionals, was held this past weekend at Rebel Creek Golf Club in Petersburg, where young players competed for a spots to different international tournaments.

The two-day tournament was to qualify one boy aged 14-18 for the Canadian contingent in the Scotland Kingdom of Fife Team matches in St. Andrews, Scotland, August 22-24, and two boys aged 14-17 for the 54th East Aurora International Junior Masters (EAIJM) in East Aurora, New York, June 26-30.

Mike McKenzie, 18, of Cambridge and a Galt Country Club junior, shot the low overall score in the tournament of 72-74 (146) to take the Boys 17 & up division title by one stroke, securing a spot on Maple Leaf Team Canada to Scotland. “My ball striking was very strong. I hit fairways and greens and kept it easy,” said McKenzie. “It feels very satisfying to win. I came up clutch down the stretch and beat a very stellar competitor, Garrett Rank.” McKenzie edged Garrett Rank, 18, of Elmira and Elmira Golf Club, who shot 74-73 (147) to finish second in the division. Third place went to Bryan Germann, 17, of Kitchener, another Galt Country Club junior, who fired 79-74 for a 153 total score.

Champion of the Boys 14-16 division was Josh Bamberger, 16, of Waterloo and Foxwood Golf Club, who posted scores of 74-75 for a 149 total score and a four stroke victory. Bamberger, a member on Maple Leaf Team Canada to Scotland last year, secured a spot to the EAIJM in New York State with his victory. “It’s nice to win the first event of the year,” said Bamberger. “My ball striking was very good this weekend and the conditions were ideal.” He will be joined at the EAIJM by Ryan Terdik, 16, of Mt. Pleasant and Brantford Golf Club, who claimed the second spot in the EAIJM with his second place finish in the division. Terdik shot 75-78 (153). Tied for third at 157 total score was Jaimie Trotman, 16, of Port Elgin (82-75) and Jacob Ohanian, 14, of Windona (81-76).

Javier Diaz, 13, of Woodbridge, won the Boys 13 and under division after posting scores of 78-84 for a 162 total. Diaz attributed his win to keeping his cool and focusing, even though he had some trouble. “I practiced every night for at least three hours on the course and around the greens,” he said. “It means a lot to me to win and it shows if you dedicate yourself you perform well.” Diaz had a four stroke victory over runner-up Truman Tai, 12, of Markham and Deer Creek Golf Club, who shot 84-82 (166). Brad Burgess, 13, of Caistor Centre and Southbrook Golf Club, placed third in the division with scores of 87-82 (169).

In the Girls division, Meg Pototschnik, 15, of Stratford and Sunningdale Golf Club, shot 80-76 (156) to easily beat her competitor, Brittany Manning, 13, of Cambridge (105-100). “Rebel Creek is one of my favourite courses and I had a great time playing here,” she said. “I feel very successful and that I accomplished a big goal.”

The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Andrew Trotman, 19. of Port Elgin, Dave Drago, 16, of Waterloo, Brad Burgess and Meg Pototschnik. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were Eric Velanoff, 18, of Heidelberg, Jaimie Trotman, Dylan Smallwood, 12, of Cambridge, and Brittany Manning.

The MJT continues its Ontario schedule on June 10th and 11th at Foxwood Golf Club in Baden – a qualifier for 5th International Junior Golf Invitational in Cuernavaca, Mexico, August 14-18, 2006 – matches which were won by Maple Leaf Team Canada last year. The rest of the eight-player squad is being selected from other qualifiers across the country. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.

About the MJT
As a not-for-profit association, the national Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) presented by Boston Pizza is Canada’s only major junior tour run exclusively by Canadian PGA Professionals. The program helps develop Canada's junior golfers, offering clinics, tournaments, international competitions and more. From free introductory clinics sponsored by Ford to the major CPGA Zone-sponsored junior championships, the MJT offers a quality experience for players. For more information please visit www.maplejt.com.

Contact:
Elaine Denton,
Marketing & PR, MJT
T: 604-943-1645
Email: edenton@maplejt.com