Press Release - MJT Srixon Series at Osprey Valley GC - June 13-14, 2009

June 13-14, 2009
Alton, ON

For Immediate Release

BLAIR WINS LOW OVERALL AND SPOT TO TEXAS AT OSPREY

Alton, ON. - (June 15, 2009) – Picturesque Osprey Valley Golf Club in Alton played host this past weekend to the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s (MJT) Srixon Series, where players competed over two days for division titles plus the chance of a spot in the Texas Junior Masters at the Hyatt Regency Hill Resort in San Antonio, TX, this July.

Michael Blair, 17, of Burlington, captured his first win this season in the Boys 17-19 division and the Texas exemption, and stated, “It feels good to get the first one out of the way, and hopefully there will be more to come!” All top three finishers in this division were tied at even par after day one, but Blair edged out the rest with his 74 on day two for the victory (71-74=145). “I wasn’t swinging very well, but my short game kept me in it,” Blair said, who hopes “to win some more tournaments, play well in provincial and national events, and to qualify for the U.S. Junior Championship.” Sterling Emery, 18, of Orangeville, finished just one stroke back with great scores of 71-75 (146) for second place, and Mike Rizzetto, 18, of Brantford, placed third with a solid 71-78 (149).

It was also a close one in the Boys 14-16 division, with Emerson Bianchi, 15, of Woodbridge, shooting an impressive one-over for his second round to clinch the division title with 76-72 (148). Bianchi said, “My strong focus was key on the challenging, well maintained course, and hitting the greens made this win possible.” Bianchi, who was “happy I was able to close out,” has his sights set on winning his Club Championship at the Raven this season. Runner-up Brett Kennedy, 16, of Kitchener, was three off the pace with scores of 75-76 (151) for the tournament, and Ryan Amos, 15, of Komoka, posted 79-73 (152) to take third place on the podium in his second MJT outing.

Boy’s 13 and under division winner, Matt LeMay, 13, of Waterloo, said that “hitting greens and fairways in regulation,” was key to his victory, after firing 79-75 (154) for his second win in as many starts. “It’s always a fun day at the MJT and it’s always fun too, playing with Brandon Raine,” he said. Raine, 13, of Caledan, tied with Max Clift, 11, of Kitchener, for second place in the division at 162 total score, after each carded 87-75 and 79-83 respectively.

Madison Easterbrook, 13, of Burlington, ran away with the Girl’s division title with a gritty 79 on day two, giving her 88-79 (167) for the tournament. She said “I feel proud because I played really well my second game. I stayed focused and kept a good routine.” Her goal, she added, is “to get a five handicap and to qualify for Arizona (the MJT National Championship).” Second place finisher, Kirsten Degutis, 15, of Waterloo, scored 93-99 (192) and 10-year-old Dylaney Day, of Toronto came in third place with 107-111 (218).

The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Matthew Carscadden, 11, of Mississaga, Brian Callan, 15, of Brantford, Madison Easterbrook, and Spencer Buck, 18, of Etobicoke. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were Joel Albany, 13, of Georgetown, Jamie Stirrett, 15, of Kitchener, Kirsten Degutis, and Brandon Pearce, 17, of Cambridge.

The MJT continues its Ontario schedule in London next week with the MJT Ontario PGA Junior Championship at Forest City National Golf Club, June 27th and 28th, a qualifier for the Jack Newton International Junior Classic in Sydney, Australia. 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.

Contact:
Elaine Denton, Marketing & PR, MJT T: 1-877-943-1645 Email: edenton@maplejt.com