Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

November 19-21, 2010
Phoenix, AZ

For Immediate Release


MJT BOSTON PIZZA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY CALLAWAY WRAPS UP IN ARIZONA

Phoenix, AZ - (November 24, 2010) – Junior golfers from across Canada qualified all season-long on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) for the 12th annual MJT Boston Pizza National Championship presented by Callaway at the very long, very tough, Wigwam Golf Course in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, this past weekend. The difficult course challenged the elite field of invited players from as far afield as Courtenay, British Columbia, to Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and many places in between, who were competing for age division national titles in a 36-hole stroke play format on November 20th and 21st.

Kevin Piper, 18, of St. Albert, Alberta, reinforced his position as MJT Cleveland Golf Player of the Year for Boys 17-19 by winning his division’s national title with scores of 72-76 (148). He was watched closely by Washington State University Head Coach, Walt Williams, who was on site to give a speech on college golf to all participants. “I felt really good about having played well on day one with the WSU coach watching me,” said Piper, who attributed his victory to staying focused and not worrying about the strong field. “I had the opportunity to speak with (Williams) and acquired a lot more information about what it takes to play college golf in the States. It feels good to end my already successful season on a high.” Runner-up in the division was Travis Miller, of Calgary, Alberta (72-79), who recently turned 17 after winning the MJT Cleveland Golf Player of the Year for Boys 14-16 during the regular season. Third place went to Brian Jurkiewicz, 17, of Hamburg, New York, USA, who carded 77-76 (153).

Austin Laidlaw, 16, of Lethbridge, Alberta, who played on MJT Team Canada in Australia’s Srixon International Junior Classic this October, came from behind to shoot 80-76 (156) and win the MJT Boys 14-16 National Champion’s title, edging Jason Martens, of Edmonton, Alberta, by one. Martens, who shot 79-78 (157), recently turned 14 after winning the MJT Cleveland Golf Player of the Year for Boys 13 and under during the regular season. Third place was claimed by Keaton Jones, 15, of Kitchener, Ontario, who shot 79-80 (159).

The MJT Boys 13 and under National Champion was Craig Stefureak, 13, of Caledonia, Ontario, who fired great scores of 70-75 (145) – with the only under par round yielded up by the tough Wigwam course. Runner-up was Trevor Ranton, 13, of Waterloo, Ontario, who shot 76-77 (153), and two strokes back in third place was Max Clift, 12, of Kitchener, Ontario (77-78=155).

In the Girls division, MJT Team Canada to Australia member, Becky Martin of Medicine Hat, Alberta, shot 75-83 (158) to beat fellow teammate Mieke Heyns, 17, of Lethbridge, winning the MJT National Girls Champion title in style. Heyns carded 83-82 (165). Third place finisher was Laura Ferreira, 16, of Canmore, Alberta (92-87=179).

The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Nick Petryna of Sudbury, Ontario, Noah Vongphit of Collierville, TN, USA, Nick Scrymgeour of Cochrane, Alberta, Darren Kelpin of Stony Mountain, Manitoba, Mack Penner of Lethbridge, Kieran Standen of Edmonton, and Becky Martin.

The Sundog Closest-to-the-Pin competition divisional winners were Brendan Kesterke of Headingley, Manitoba, Noah Vongphit, Noel Ngo of Selkirk, Manitoba, Jordan Gibson of Picture Butte, Alberta, Alex McDonald of Devlin, Ontario, Mieke Heyns and Kirsten Degutis of Waterloo, Ontario.

Golf Town Comeback Awards were won by Sam Diamond of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Bret Thompson of Winnipeg, Laura Ferreira, and Ryan Dirr of Winnipeg, who showed great spirit shooting the low round of the day on day two – firing 75 after an opening round of 92. Numerous players also won Golf Town gift cards as “Skins” for the tournament, in addition to draw prizes for all in attendance.

This event concludes the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s program for 2010; the Early Bird membership is now available for 2011 with a major schedule of 50 junior competitions planned for across Canada. For more information, please visit www.maplejt.com.

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