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The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
June 30-July 1, 2007
London, ON
McKENZIE QUALIFIES FOR 2008 CHINA JUNIOR OPEN AT MJT-ONTARIO PGA JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
LONDON, ON – The MJT-Ontario PGA Junior Championship, part of the national series of Canadian PGA Zone Junior Championships pioneered by the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), finished on Canada Day at Forest City National Golf Club in London. The two-day tournament showcased the skills of Ontario’s top junior golfers, and was also a qualifier for a spot to the 2008 China Junior Open.
The spot to China was won by Brent McKenzie, 15, of Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, who fired 77-76 (153) to win low overall score for the field and the MJT-Ontario PGA Junior Boys 14-16 Champion title. “My key to victory was getting off to a solid start and leaving myself room for error,” said McKenzie, who has just come off another solid finish at the 55th East Aurora International Junior Masters in New York State, after again qualifying through the MJT. A powerful finishing round of 69 from David Mathers, 16, of Kitchener, who plays out of Westmount Golf and Country Club, just failed to edge Mckenzie, leaving Mathers to settle for runner-up in the division (85-69=154). Third place went to Taylor Prilisauer, 15, another Cambridge player from Whistle Bear Golf Club, who shot 81-78 for a 159 total score.
Johnny Hall, 18, of Langton, fired rounds of 79-75 (154) to beat runner-up Brett Nymeyer by three strokes and win the MJT-Ontario PGA Junior Boys 17 and up Champion’s title. “Good putting,” said Hall, when asked what helped him win. “I knew I had won after hitting the tee shot on 18.” Nymeyer, 18, of Stratford Country Club in Stratford, shot 84-73 (157). Galt Country Club’s Bryan Germann, 18, of Kitchener, placed third in the division with scores of 80-78 (158).
The MJT-Ontario PGA Junior Boys 13 and under champion was Wade Chen, 12, of Toronto, who carded rounds of 81-76 for a 157 total, winning by five strokes. “My highlight was my eagle at (hole number) 10,” he said. “My ball striking was straight and I knew I had won at the turn. I knew I was doing good so I kept trying to do my best.” Tied for second place behind Chen at 162 total score was Rebel Creek Golf Club’s Matt Gerber, 13, of Kitchener, and Deer Creek Golf Club’s Truman Tai, 13, of Markham, both of whom shot 83-79.
The Girls Champion was Paula Difrancesco, 17, of Burlington and Hidden Lakes Golf Club, who managed to edge Whistle Bear Golf Club’s Meg Pototschnik, 16, of Stratford, by one. “Key to my win was playing one shot at a time and not concerning myself with my score,” said Difrancesco, who fired 80-83 (163) to Pototschnik’s 83-81. “Going through my mind coming down the stretch was to play with good course management, and keep the ball safe.” Third place went to Megan Whelan, 16, of Ingersoll Golf Club in Ingersoll (105-102).
The Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition winners in each division were Sean Carlino of Hamilton, Andrew Smith of Kitchener and Rockway Golf Club, Tyler Veres of Tillsonburg and Ingersoll Golf Club and Paula Difrancesco. The Sundog Skills Competition divisional winners were Jordan Williamson of Cambridge and Whistle Bear Golf Club, Brent McKenzie, Ben Deignan of Cambridge and Galt Country Club, and Difrancesco.
The MJT’s Ontario circuit has two more stops this summer – the next is July 19th and 20th at Willow Valley Golf Club in Burlington, and the final is the three-day MJT Ontario Tour Championship at Grand Niagara Resort in Niagara Falls on August 13th, 14th and 15th. 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 (MJT) is presented by Boston Pizza, and is Canada's premier and only national 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 is also focused on providing 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. MJT - developing champions, in golf, in life.
Contact:
Elaine Denton,
Marketing & PR, MJT
T: 604-943-1645
Email: edenton@maplejt.com