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The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
June 27-28, 2009
London, ON
EMERY QUALIFIES FOR AUSTRALIAN SPOT AT MJT ONTARIO PGA JR CHAMPIONSHIP
London, ON - (June 29, 2009) – Perfect scoring conditions greeted the junior golfers at the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s (MJT) tournament at Forest City National Golf Club in London this past weekend, where players competed in four divisions in the MJT Ontario PGA Junior Championship. Eligible players were also competing for the chance to qualify for the 2009 Jack Newton International Junior Classic at The Oaks Golf Club in New South Wales, Australia, which runs October 13th to 16th this year.
The Canadian contingent of six players to Australia, who are sponsored by Travel Underwriters, will qualify via the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour at tournaments across the country. Sterling Emery, 18, of Orangeville, claimed a spot on the team after capturing the MJT Ontario PGA Junior Championship Boys 17-19 title and low overall score with his stellar rounds of 72-73 (145). Emery fired well all weekend, hit the fairways and remained solid through the two days of play, and will be heading to Australia in October for his terrific effort over the weekend. “Hitting the pin on six, then three-putting” was a memorable moment, he said, and “It feels good to win today, it took a long time for being so close.”
Runner-up in the Boys 17-19 division, Eric Edelman, 19, of Paris, shot a noteworthy 76-76 (152), but it wasn’t enough to catch the leader. Third place finisher, James Dorion, 19, of Chatham, had a very solid first day round, but found some trouble on day two, carding 72-83 (155) for the weekend.
Two Kitchener lads were neck-and-neck in the 14-16 division, with Matt Gerber, 15, edging Brett Kennedy, 16, by one stroke for the win. Gerber produced a solid 72-77 (149) to be crowned MJT Ontario PGA Junior Boys 14-16 Champion and runner-up Kennedy shot a close 74-76 (150). “I was just thinking one shot at a time coming down the stretch,” Gerber said. “Making a 90-foot putt on #12 was the ultimate game highlight. I was relieved, and waiting to win. This is my first MJT victory.” Not far off the mark was Truman Tai, 15, of Markham, who placed third with his steady scores of 76-77 (153).
Max Clift, 11, of Kitchener, was the MJT Ontario PGA Junior Boys 13 and under champion, his first MJT title after shooting 82-79 (161). “It feels great,” he said, “I was worried on the 9th hole when my competitors were tied with me but I was just thinking finish strong down the stretch.” Clift cited his putting as key to victory in this tournament. Runner-up Keaton Jones, 13, also of Kitchener, was three shots back of the leader at 81-83 (164). Brandon Raine, 13, of Caledon, took third place after carding 80-87 (167).
Madison Easterbrook, 13, of Burlington, captured her third MJT tournament win this season in the Girls division, with her solid rounds of 85-83 (168). “The back nine on the second day was my tournament highlight,” she said. “I was worried a little because my competitors were close, and coming down the stretch I just wanted to get it up and down.” Easterbrook has her sights set on qualifying for the MJT National Tour Championship this November in Phoenix, Arizona. “I am happy,” said the 13-year-old, “because I really want to go to Arizona.” Runner-up in the Girls division was Kennedy Bodfield, 12, of St. Catherines, who was close at times, finishing with a steady 86-89 (175) this weekend. Third place went to Dylaney Day, 10, of Toronto, scoring 97-100 (197).
The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Brandon Raine, Andrew Moffat, 15, of Brantford, Madison Easterbrook and Jason Watchorn, 17, of Waterloo. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were Nick Petryna, 12, of Sudbury, Nick D’Alessandro, 16, of Etobicoke, Dylaney Day and Sterling Emery.
The MJT continues its Ontario Series July 11th and 12th at Atoka Golf Club at Cranberry Resort, a qualifier for the CAN-USA Team Matches at ASU Karsten Golf Club in Tempe, Arizona. 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