Press Release - WCJGT Boston Pizza Tour Championship presented by Hygaard Fine Foods - September 13-14, 2003

September 13-14, 2003
RedTail Landing, Edmonton, AB

For Immediate Release ? September 15, 2003

TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP WINDS UP FIFTH SEASON FOR WESTERN CANADA JUNIOR GOLF TOUR

Edmonton ? Many of the Western Canada Junior Golf Tour?s most accomplished young players went head to head last weekend in the season-ending Tour Championship, an event which marked a major milestone in the life of the fastest-growing junior golf tour in Canada.

The invitational tournament, presented by Hygaard Fine Foods, was held at the outstanding RedTail Landing Golf Course in Edmonton. Open to the top finishers of the year, this event marked the final occasion of the Tour operating as the Western Canada Junior Golf Tour. In 2004, the Tour will expand into Central Canada and become the Nationwide Junior Golf Tour.

At the Tour Championship, meantime, junior golfers from throughout the West were represented at the prize podium. Vancouver?s Richard Lee took top honors among Boys 13 and Under and Corey Kiland of Tumbler Ridge, B.C., was first in the Boys 14-16 Division. Michael Knight of Calgary placed first among Boys 17 and Up while Susan Nam of Edmonton won the Girls Division.

An impressive performance was also turned in by 18-year-old Devon Deobald of Shaunavon, Sask., who shot an opening-round 68, a competitive course record from the blue tees.

British Columbia won the Western Canada Challenge Cup, an annual team competition involving 16 players from B.C. and Alberta/Saskatchewan, by 18 strokes.

Also presented at the Boston Pizza-sponsored Tour Championship were the Cleveland Golf Awards, which were handed to the players in each of the four age divisions with the lowest stroke averages. This year, those honors ? along with a full set of Cleveland irons ? went to Susan Nam of Edmonton, Jonnie Motomochi of White Rock, B.C., Michael Knight of Calgary and Mitchell Fox of Okotoks.

The two-day event was interrupted by a 30-minute weather-delay on Sunday, due to rain and driving wind. The conditions, however, did not prevent the golfers from putting on an impressive show.

Lee, who went head-to-head with fellow British Columbian Motomochi in the Boys 13 and Under Division, said he felt good about all aspects of his game, but didn?t feel he?d clinched the win until the final hole.

?On the 18th hole, I holed it from 175 yards with a five iron,? he said. ?It felt really good.?

Lee posted rounds of 73-72 for a 145 finish, while Motomochi shot 73-74 to finish two strokes back. Riley Wheeldon of Comox, B.C., who was leading after the first round with a score of 72, shot 80 on the second day to finish in third spot with 152.

Knight, who shot 70-72 (142) to take first place among Boys 17 and Up, said a solid putt on the final hole also helped him put away the victory.

?I knew (I had won) when I had a 15-footer on 18,? he said. Knight finished two strokes ahead of local golfer David McGlone, who shot 69-75 (144), while Jamie Reimer of Calgary was third with rounds of 75-75 (150).

Corey Kiland, who posted rounds of 71-74 (145) to finish on top of the Boys 14-16 Division, said he felt solid throughout the event.

?I had a pretty good feeling that I had won the tournament after I hit a 220-yard bunker shot on 18 to about 20 feet and two putted for par,? he said.

Darren Wallace of Langley, B.C. and Brian Wolsey of Lethbridge, AB finished tied for second, each with 148 two-day tallies.

Susan Nam, who won the Girls Division in decisive fashion, shooting rounds of 83-76 (159), said she didn?t realize she?d clinched the win until the final strokes.

?I never knew until the game was completely finished,? she said. ?It feels really good. I really thank my parents and coach for supporting (me).?

Caroline Kim of Port Coquitlam, B.C., shot 84-85 (169) to place second among the Girls, while Denielle Neufeld of Coaldale was third with rounds of 86-84 (170).

Winners of the Sundog Closest-to-the-Pin Competition included Motomochi, Casey Clifton of Fort Saskatchewan, Bryon Olson of Calgary and Breanne Neufeld of Coaldale. The Long Drive Competition was won by Wheeldon, Neufeld, Trevor Edwards of Calgary and Matt Hooper of Kelowna.

Top finishers at the prestigious event were awarded first-rate prizes, including Cleveland drivers, Odyssey putters and Roots golf clothing.

For more information, call 1-877-859-GOLF, or visit www.wcjgt.com.