Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 7-8, 2011
Petersburg, ON

Chiasson and Fry Low Overall at MJT’s Quagmire Golf Classic
Ruiz wins spot in Florida event

For Immediate Release – Petersburg, ON – (May 9, 2011) – The Ontario junior golf season teed off with the Quagmire Golf Classic at Rebel Creek Golf Club in Petersburg over the Mother’s Day weekend on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), with a large field of young players from across the province. Warm temperatures with sunny and calm spring weather greeted the field as they competed in four age divisions and skill competition categories. Matthew Chiasson, 17, of Cambridge, ON, and Kody Fry, 16, of Grand Valley, ON, earned the honour of joint low finishers for the weekend, each winning their respective age divisions with a 149 total, and Michelle Ruiz, 15, of Mississauga, ON, earned an exemption into the Future Collegiate World Tour (FCWT) National Championship at PGA National Golf Club in Florida at the end of this month.

Chiasson’s rounds of 74-75 were good enough to deliver a three shot victory in the Boys 17-19 year old division. “My birdie on 13 today after making double there yesterday was a highlight for me,” he said, adding, “Early season practice along with making key putts allowed me to handle the pressure, and it feels great (to win).” Runner-up in the division was the lone American in the field, Brian Jurkiewicz, 17, of Hamburg, NY, who fired 78-74 (152). Finishing in third was Andrew Moffat, also 17, of Brantford, ON, with rounds of 79-74 for a 153 total.

Fry, the other low finisher with a 149 total, completed rounds of 77-72 to win the Quagmire Golf Classic Boys 14-16 division, and stated his tournament high point was “my drive on 18 to set up birdie,” adding, “It feels great to win in this division again plus a win early in the year is a bonus.” Finishing three strokes behind, but also firing a good second day round was Quinn Kerr, 16, of Milton, ON, with his scores of 79-73 for a 152 total. Third place was a tie between Craig Stefureak, 14, of Caledonia, ON, and 16-year-old Alex Rajna of Waterloo, ON, who both shot 77-76 (153).

In the Girls Division, Michelle Ruiz shot 76-86 (162) to score a two shot victory over Madison Easterbrook, also 15, of Burlington, ON (85-79=164). “I am very happy to get my first win of the year, I am very pleased with the result,” said Ruiz, who received a paid entry into the FCWT event with her victory. “I putted very well the past two days.” In third place was Toronto’s Maddy Piccininni, 16, who shot 84-88 (172).

Thirteen year-old Connor Doucette of Waterloo opened the tournament with a one-over-par 73 and finished with a 78 for 151 total and a four stroke victory in the Boys 13 and under division. “I made three birdies in a row,” he said, “This is a great way to kickstart my year!” Runner-up was Max Clift, 13, of Kitchener, ON, who carded consistent rounds of 77-78 (155). Bryce Hardie, also 13, of Brampton, ON, was the third place finisher with scores of 78-82 (160).

Divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Max Clift (Whistle Bear Golf Club), Brock Rogerson (Brantford Golf and Country Club), Tyler Wiseman (Hidden Lake Golf Club) and Sophie Miller (Rattlesnake Point Golf Club), while the Sundog Closest to the Pin divisional winners were Connor Doucette (Whistle Bear Golf Club), Sam Kreze (Rebel Creek Golf Club), Joshua Richard-Monro (Trafalger Golf and Country Club) and Maddy Piccininni (Ladies Golf Club of Toronto). Golf Town Comeback Award winners, for best second day improvement in each age division, were Konnor Rossdeutscher and Keaton Jones, both from Whistle Bear Golf Club, Tyler Wiseman from Hidden Lake Golf Club and Brooke Sharpe from Rebel Creek Golf Club.

The MJT continues its Ontario schedule on May 21-22 in Ancaster at Mystic Golf Club, a qualifier for the 59th East Aurora International Junior Masters in East Aurora, NY, one of the most highly-regarded (and scouted) junior golf events in the USA. 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 presented by Boston Pizza is Canada’s premier and only national junior tour run exclusively by Canadian PGA Professionals and the ‘Road to College Golf’ for aspiring young players. The organization hosts more than 60 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7-13 year olds, and multi-day events for competitive players which also qualify juniors for international competitions. The MJT offers annual awards, scholarships, and frequent player incentives to help reward player's performance and participation throughout each season. MJT alumni include many Professional Tour players and Canadian PGA Professionals, as well as Canadian Amateur, National and Provincial Junior Champions. The MJT aims to develop champions, in golf and in life, promoting the game from grassroots through to provincial, national, university and professional level. For more information please visit www.maplejt.com.

About Quagmire Golf:
Are you tired of wearing your parent’s clothes on the golf course? Well we have created a great solution to that ... Quagmire Golf is the coolest golf clothing company around! Proudly MADE IN CANADA, Quagmire Golf is a Toronto based clothing company and the first of its kind targeting young people that love to golf and want to look good while they are doing it. Quagmire Golf’s style is a mix of lifestyle, surf, skate, and golf that fits into the traditional golf dress codes targeting both guys and girls. Quagmire's slogan "not fit for the fairway" is exactly what it says - at Quagmire Golf it doesn’t matter if you hit the ball into the “weeds or quagmire” as long as you have fun doing it! Check out their website at www.quagmiregolf.com for store lists, contests and updates. If you have any suggestions, questions or even a cool shirt design they would love to hear from you - email info@quagmiregolf.com. Have a great summer and remember golf is supposed to be fun! Keep it real.

MEDIA CONTACT: MJT - Elaine Denton - edenton@maplejt.com - 1-877-859-GOLF