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Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA Professionals

Press Release

August 14-15, 2012
Winnipeg, MB

Four MJT-PGA of Manitoba Junior Champions crowned out of 90+ strong field

Winnipeg, MB – (August 16, 2012) – The future of golf looks good as over 90 junior golfers teed it up in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s (MJT) PGA of Manitoba Junior Championship presented by National Bank Financial at Transcona Golf Club in Winnipeg, August 14 and 15, where players competed for division titles, an exemption into the Future Collegiate World Tour’s (FCWT) TPC Sawgrass event in FLA, USA, and for American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Performance Stars.

The final round was tough as the weather was cold, wet and windy, however despite this drawback, Evan DeGrazia, 17, of Thunder Bay, ON, razed the course with a brilliant six-under-par 65 to vault into the lead (75-65=140), claiming the MJT-PGA of Manitoba Junior Boys 17-19 Champion title. “Making seven birdies in the final round to win by three was my highlight,” he said, noting that the course was in great shape with greens cut short and fast. There was a three-way tie for second place in the division at 143 total score between Bret Thompson, 18, of Winnipeg, MB (72-71), Noel Ngo, 18, of Selkirk, MB (70-73) and Scott Downs, 18, of Winnipeg, (69-74), with Thompson the eligible qualifier for the AJGA Performance Stars and FCWT’s TPC Sawgrass spot.

Travis Fredborg, 16, of Selkirk, was crowned MJT-PGA of Manitoba Junior Boys 14-16 Champion after firing 74-75 (149) in what he termed “crazy weather with crazy winds and pouring rain.” He added, “It feels great to win again, I’ve played well in MJT events the past two years. It’s just a great feeling.” One stroke back in the division’s second place was Steve Young, 16, of La Salle, MB, (74-76=150), while Stefan Lavallee, 14, of Steinbach, MB, finished third after carding 72-80 (152).

12-year-old Marco Trstenjak of Winnipeg won his first MJT tournament after shooting great rounds of 75-77 (152), claiming the MJT-PGA of Manitoba Junior Boys 13 and Under champion’s title. “I played it safe and stayed out of trouble,” he said. “It feels great to get the win because I have come so close in previous tournaments.” There was a tie for second place in the division at 155 total score between Nathan Wright, 13, of Warren, MB (74-81) and Timothy Brabant, 13, of Winnipeg, (72-83)

Winnipeg girls dominated the podium in the Girls division, where Dana Todd, 17, fired 75-86 (161) to tie with 18-year-old Breanne Fredette, (81-80), for the lead. Todd won the MJT-PGA of Manitoba Junior Girls champion’s title on the first playoff hole after driving the green on the short par four and then two-putting for the birdie and win. “The key was taking it one shot at a time and keeping calm, also keeping to myself and not worrying about the other girls,” she said. “It was very windy today, which had a huge effect. It feels great that I was finally able to win because I have come close many times and even better, I birdied the first playoff hole!” Third place went to Veronica Vetesnik, 15, who shot 82-86 (168).

The divisional Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition winners were Eric Ellison of Winnipeg, Bailey Funk of Steinbach, Scott Downs of Winnipeg and Vetesnik, while in the Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin they were Cory Pharand of Thunder Bay, Garrett Kristjanson of Warren, MB, Scott Downs and Vetesnik. Golf Town Comeback Awards went to Riley McMillan of Winnipeg, Dalton Joye of Selkirk, Tyler Doyle of Sandy Hook, MB, and Brynn Todd of Winnipeg.

The final MJT stop in Manitoba runs August 27 and 28 at Winkler Centennial Golf Club in Winkler, after which eligible players will be invited to the season-ending MJT Boston Pizza National Tour Championship presented by Callaway at The Legends Golf Resort in Phoenix, AZ, November 16-18. 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 www.maplejt.com