Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 19-20, 2012
Ancaster, ON

Two playoffs needed during heat and humidity at MJT’s Mystic GC stop
Four shortlisted for Callaway Junior World Golf Championships

Ancaster, ON – (May 21, 2012) – Hot and very humid weather over the May long weekend combined with firm and fast golf course conditions challenged the full field of junior golfers in the second Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) stop, held at Mystic Golf Club in Ancaster, Ontario, where shortlisted spots into the Callaway Junior World Golf Championship were up for grabs.

In the closely contested Girls division a three-way tie for the lead at a total score of 158 had to be decided in a playoff between Madison Easterbrook of Burlington, ON (76-82), and sisters Alanna (85-73) and Annika (80-78) Haynes of Oakville, ON, who play out of Wyldewood Golf and Country Club. Easterbrook, 16, a junior member at Beverly Golf and Country Club, was the ultimate winner and is now shortlisted for a spot in the Callaway Junior World Golf Championship for girls aged 15-17. She commented, “My tournament highlight was getting to play in a three-way playoff with my two good friends. It feels great to win because it gives me the motivation to keep improving.”

A tie for low overall and the Boys 17-19 title at 151 total score was settled in a playoff between MJT veteran Truman Tai, 18, of Markham, ON, who shot 74-77, and David Fell, 17, of Guelph and Guelph Country Club, ON, whose scores were 75-76. Tai, who plays out of Deer Creek Golf Club, said, ““I felt I grinded and persevered really well for the whole day, and controlled my emotions really well. Birdie-ing 17 to tie the lead was definitely my highlight. It feels good to win on my birthday, and it was especially exciting to win in a playoff.” Fell does not go away empty handed, however, as he was the eligible age qualifier for a shortlisted spot in the Callaway Junior Worlds. Third place among Boys 17-19 was claimed by Brodie McKinney, 17, of Stoney Creek, ON, and King's Forest Golf Club, who carded 78-75 (153).

Gold medallist in the Boys 14-16 division was Craig Stefureak, 15, of Caledonia and Sundrim Golf Club, who fired 79-76 (155) to win by two shots over Cayuga Golf Club’s Charles Corner, 15, of Cayuga, ON, (80-77=157) and Roseland’s Golf and Country Club’s Brandon Mihalo, 16, of Windsor, ON (78-79=157). Stefureak cited consistency as key to his victory, adding, “Today I parred a majority of the holes and in the end it was good enough. It feels great and I am looking forward to my next tournament.”

Tyler Nagano, 13, of Toronto, ON, and Station Creek Golf Club, fired 81–80 (161) to win the Boys 13 and Under gold medal. “My tournament highlight was shooting two-under par on the front nine of the second round,” he said. “It feels fantastic to win my division title.” Second place went to Ganden Doherty, 13, also of Toronto, a junior at Donalda Country Club, who shot 82 – 86 (168), and third place was claimed by Aidan Gavey, 12, of Caledonia (86-84=170), who plays out of Dundas Valley Golf Club.

The final two shortlisted spots for age eligible players in the Callaway Junior Worlds went to Dylaney Day, 13, of Toronto, and Kyle Fancy, 14, of Hillsburgh, ON. Divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Ryan Murphy of Ancaster, GJ Kuhn of Ayr, ON, Colin Mathers of Toronto and Sara Holland of Essex, ON, while the Sundog Closest-to-the-Pin Awards were taken home by Jacob Presutti of Brampton, ON. Gordon Gibson of Toronto, Patrick Smith of Sun Peaks, BC, and Madison Easterbrook. Golf Town Comeback Awards went to Dennis Weber of Ancaster, Gordon Gibson, and Alanna Haynes.

The next stop on the MJT Ontario Series is at National Pines Golf Club in Barrie on June 2-3, a qualifying event for the Future Champions Golf World Championship in La Quinta, CA. For more information 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 PGA of Canada 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 7–12 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.

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