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The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
May 24-25, 2008
Paris, ON
Nagindas and McKenzie added to MJT Team Canada roster
PARIS, ON – With aspirations of securing a spot on MJT Team Canada to play in either Scotland or Mexico on everyone’s minds at the beautiful Paris Grand Golf Course, the competition was intense from the outset and didn’t let up over the two days at the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s second Ontario stop. The event was a double qualifier for the Scotland Kingdom of Fife Junior Team Matches in St. Andrews, U.K., and the International Junior Golf Invitational (IJGI) in Cuernavaca, Mexico, both scheduled for August 2008.
The weather stayed in the comfortable low 20’s with no interruptions of rain allowing the players to focus on their games and golf in favorable conditions. Newcomer to the MJT, Shyamal Nagindas, 14, of Aurora, ON, improved on his day one score by seven strokes, finishing with a two-day total of 147 (77-70) to take the division title for boys 14-16 and the low overall score for the field. “My driving was great and helped a lot because the course was very tight but my putting was great in the final round,” said Nagindas, who came back from a four stroke deficit to nail down a ticket to St. Andrews. “Playing MJT gives me good competition and gives me experience for the future; it means a lot because it was a qualifier to Scotland.” Brent McKenzie, 16, of Cambridge, ON, placed second in the boys 14-16 division and claimed the second overall low score with a two day total of 73-75=148, qualifying for a spot in the IJGI in Mexico. Jacob Ohanian, 16, of Winona, ON, who previously qualified through the MJT for the East Aurora International Junior Masters this June, finished third in the division with a two day total of 78-74=152.
The boys 17 and up division win went to Chris Hall, 18, of Mississauga, ON, who came out extremely strong on day one finishing six strokes ahead of the pack with a 71. Day two proved to be a tighter race with Hall shooting a 78 to hold onto the top spot with a 149 total score. “This means a lot because I worked hard to get the win. Playing MJT makes me compete with the best,” said Hall, who cited his scoring an eagle during the competition as his tournament highlight. Andrew Smith, 17, of Kitchener, ON, played consistent golf to shoot 77-76=153 and secure second place in the division. There was a tie for third place at 155 total score between Brendan Leonard, 17, of Cambridge (79-76) and David Mathers, 17, of Kitchener (76-79).
Paulino Fernando, 12, of Mississauga, ON, shot 84-90=174 to win the Boys 13 and under division. Paulino said of his win, “it gives me more confidence to keep going.” Second place went to Mac Dirstein, 13, of Kitchener (88-98=186) while third place went to Greg Fiorenzini, 13, of Cambridge (110-100=210).
Divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Kabir Nanar, 13, of Brampton, ON, Brad Burgess, 15, of St. Catherines, ON and Sterling Emery, 17, of Orangeville, ON. The Sundog Skills Competition divisional winners were Greg Fiorenzini, Tyler Stone, 14, of Peterborough, ON and Chris Hall.
The MJT continues its Ontario schedule on June 14th and 15th in Alton at Osprey Valley Golf Course – a double qualifier for the Texas Junior Masters in San Antonio, TX, and the CKG Tour World Championship in Myrtle Beach, SC. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.
About the MJT
The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) is presented nationally by Boston Pizza and is Canada's premier and only 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 also provides 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.
Media Contact:
Elaine Denton
Marketing & PR, MJT
T: 1-877-943-1645
Email: edenton@maplejt.com