Press Release - MJT Ontario Series at Willow Valley GC - July 19-20, 2007

July 19-20, 2007
Hamilton, ON

For Immediate Release — July 23, 2007

Buck Wins Playoff with Ohanian at MJT Willow Valley Stop

LONDON, ON – Willow Valley Golf Club in Mount Hope, near Hamilton, played host to a two-day stop on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) on July 19th and 20th. The MJT, which is Canada’s only national junior tour run exclusively by Canadian PGA Professionals and is presented by Boston Pizza, runs 40 high-level junior golf tournaments across the country and is a developmental tour for aspiring young players.

Spencer Buck, 16, of Etobicoke and Weston Golf and Country Club, tied for the overall lead at 144 even par total score with Jacob Ohanian, 15, of Winona and Glendale Golf and Country Club. First round leader Ohanian shot 68-76 to go into a playoff with Buck, who shot 71-73, during which the latter claimed the Boys 14-16 division title. “My putting was good,” said Buck, whose victory earned him a paid spot into the MJT Boston Pizza National Tour Championship in Whistler, B.C. this August. “I stuck a couple of shots down the stretch as well.” Third spot in the division was a tie at 147 total score between Brent McKenzie, 15, and Brendan Leonard, 16, both of Cambridge and Whistle Bear Golf Club. McKenzie fired 74-73 and Leonard 73-74.

Scores of 75-70 gave a three stroke lead and the Boys 17 and up division title to Will Thornburrow, 17, of Toronto and Donalda Golf Club, who remarked that he was nervous coming down the stretch, but his past experience helped him stick to his game plan. “I didn’t relax until I had holed out on 18. I only had a two shot lead and knew the hole was tight. I committed to my shot and made a good birdie putt.” Runner-up in this division was Ki-Young Jung, 18, also of Toronto, who shot 72-76 for a 148 total score. Third place went to Jordan Roemer, 17, of Cobourg and Dalewood Golf Club, after he carded rounds of 77=72 (149).

Truman Tai, 13, of Markham and Deer Creek Golf Club easily won his first Boys 13 and under division title on the MJT this season after firing 83-71 (154). “I just tried to make pars, hit my shots, and make my shots,’ he said. Matthew Speyer, 13, of Cambridge and Galt Country Club, shot 84-79, and Matt Gerber, 13, of Kitchener and Rebel Creek Golf Club, shot 81-82, to tie for second place in the division with 163 total score.

Kathryn Corbiere, 17, of Manitoulin Island and Brookwood Brae Golf Club, played a consistent game of golf both days to win the Girls division. “I stayed focused and did not get down on myself after a bad hole,” she said, after posting back-to-back scores of 84 for a 168 total. Brittany Manning placed second with scores of 89-96, and Kaitlin Marrin, 16, of Oakville, placed third (102-111).

Truman Tai, Jaimie Trotman, 17, of Port Elgin, and Kathryn Corbiere won both the Mr. Lube Long Drive and the Sundog Skills Competitions in their respective divisions. In the Boys 14-16 division, Jordan Jackson, 15, of Toronto, won the Mr. Lube Long Drive, and Jay Doherty, 14, of Cambridge, won the Sundog Skills.

The final stop on the MJT’s Ontario circuit is the 54-hole MJT Ontario Tour Championship at Grand Niagara Resort in Niagara Falls on August 13th, 14th and 15th, a qualifier for the CAN/USA team matches at ASU Karsten Golf Course in Tempe, Arizona, this December. Registration is open to all juniors and 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 (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 also provided 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