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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 5-6, 2007
Surrey, BC

For Immediate Release — May 7, 2007

CAREER BEST 68 FROM GARGARO ON MJT
Yang Wins Team Spot To Texas


SURREY, B.C. – Windy conditions on day one and constant rain on day two challenged junior golfers during the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s (MJT) stop at Hazelmere Golf Club in Surrey on May 5th and 6th. Players were competing for spots in the Texas Junior Masters at Colovista Golf Club in Bastrop, Texas, this July, as well as for exemptions into the World Youth Team Challenge at Bolingbrook Golf Club in Illinois, USA.

Kristina Gargaro, 17, of Port Moody, B.C., carded a career-best four-under-par 68 on day two to edge first round leader Pamela Burneski, 15, of Surrey, for victory in the Girls division. Gargaro shot 74-68 (142) and cited the key as keeping the ball in play and making critical putts with a solid short game. “Coming down the stretch I was thinking of Dean Lock’s (MJT assistant tournament director) pep talk which kept me calm and focused,” she said. “I only knew I had won when I made the final putt on 18!” Runner-up Burneski shot 71-73 to card an excellent even par 144, while Emily Kim, 16, of Port Coquitlam, B.C., shot 75-71 (146) to placed third amongst the girls.

Mitchell Lock, 19, of Mission, B.C., and Preston Pierson, 19, of Langley, B.C., tied for first place at 151 total score in the Boys 17 and up division after posting scores of 79-72 and 76-75 respectively. Lock, who took home the trophy based on best second day score, said the key to winning was coming back with a 72 on day two after a bad first day. “Coming down the stretch I was even (par), so all I was trying to do was not give any shots back and try to get it under par,” he stated.

Nelson Yang, 17, of Coquitlam, B.C., shot 79-73 (152) to place third in this division, and earn a spot on MJT Team Canada in the Texas Junior Masters for the best score for boys aged 16-18.

Close scores marked the Boys 14-16 division, where Shael Mazzone, 16, of Coquitlam (83-73), and Steven Nakajima, 16, of Delta, B.C. (78-78), tied for first place after both finishing with a 156 total. Mazzone, who claimed the trophy based on best second day score, said the highlight for him was making a four footer on 18 for par and the win. Pureum Lee, 15, of North Vancouver, B.C., fired 79-78 (157) to placed third.

Kevin Kwon, 12, of Coquitlam, edged Tyler Salsbury, 13, of Enumclaw, WA, by two strokes to win the Boys 13 and under division title. “In my mind, I was thinking that I had a chance at this tournament, but I told myself to calm down,” said Kwon, who believed his 30-50 yard chips and clutch putting were key to his victory. “My highlight was the bogey save at 17 and the par save at 18, after which I knew I had won,” he added. Runner-up Salsbury shot 80-81 (161), while Callum Robinson, 13, of Langley, placed third with scores of 85-80 (165).

The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Danny Yu, 13, of Surrey, Yohann Vora, 15, of Delta, Mitchell Lock and Porsche Campbell, 14, of Vancouver, B.C. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were Chan Poonian, 13, of Surrey, Nash Hillairet, 15, of Delta, Marc Hernandez, 19, of Richmond, B.C., and Ashley Rampuri, 17, of Coquitlam.

The finalist for exemption into the World Youth Team Challenge in Illinois was shortlisted to Jeong Yong Shin, for boys aged 9. Shin shot 97-96 (193).

The MJT continues its British Columbia schedule on May 26th and 27th with the Cattermole Timber Classic at Ledgeview Golf Club in Abbotsford, where more spots will be awarded to the Texas Junior Masters. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.

About the MJT
Boston Pizza is the Presenting Sponsor of the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada's premier and only national junior golf tour run exclusively by Golf Professionals. The MJT is proud to play a role in developing young players, including several Canadian National Champions and many Future Links and Provincial Champions. The MJT is also focused on providing opportunities for young Canadians to learn how to golf and introduces players as young as four years old to the game via free instructional clinics. In addition, the MJT encourages young players to further their education with scholarship awards. For more information, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-GOLF. MJT - developing champions, in golf, in life.


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