Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

June 26-27, 2010
Paris, ON

For Immediate Release

FROM PARIS TO AUSTRALIA: DIAZ AND McELROY QUALIFY FOR MJT TEAM CANADA

Paris, ON – (June 28, 2010) – In addition to competing for division titles, players in the two-day Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) stop at Paris Grand Country Club in Paris last weekend were qualifying for spots on MJT Team Canada to compete in the Srixon International Junior Classic in New South Wales, Australia, this October. The event endured a little rain with hot and muggy conditions on day two, but successfully concluded just before a storm rolled in.

Sterling Emery, 19, of Orangeville, fired a closing round of 73 to come from behind and win his second MJT Boys 17-19 title this season with a total score of 154. “It was great to come back from a lot down and make good shots with good swing thoughts from my coach, Dave Smallwood,” he summarized about his victory. “My goal is to play decent golf before I go away to school at Adrian College.” Just one stroke back was Javier Diaz, 17, of Vaughan, who shot 80-75 (155), while third place in the division was claimed by Declan Kaster, 18, of Ayr (81-77=158).

The Boys 14-16 division was won by Stan McElroy, 16, of Kitchener, who scooped his first MJT title by five strokes after carding 75-80 (155). “The win feels awesome - it’s been a long time coming,” he said. “I just achieved my first goal.” Second place in Boys 14-16 saw a three-way tie at 160 total score between Brett Geiser, 15, of Markham (83-77), Ben Finlayson, 16, of Kitchener (79-81) and Truman Tai, 16, of Markham (77-83).

McElroy and Diaz both earned spots on MJT Team Canada to Australia as the eligible low overall finishers at the tournament.


Michaela Dimarcantonio, 17, of Burlington, found the Paris Grand course “well-organized and maintained” en route to scoring 90-85 and winning the Girls division title over fellow Burlington resident, Madison Easterbrook (89-88=177). “I am thankful for all the great opportunities I have in life, especially this win,” stated Dimarcantonio, who aims to play well in the provincials and nationals. Third place went to Kirsten Degutis, 16, of Waterloo, who carded 88-93 (181).

A two-under-par final round of 70 allowed Joey Hetherman, 13, of Burlington, to edge Craig Stefureak for victory in the Boys 13 and under division. Hetherman shot 83-70 (153) off the white tees and said he felt “great!” about winning his first MJT title, adding, “my goals are just to play my game and win as much as I can.” MJT newcomer, Kyle Gorospe, 12, of Mississauga, took third place with scores of 82-75 (157). Runner-up Stefureak, 13, of Caledonia, who shaved 10 strokes off his first round to card 82-72 (154), did not go empty handed as he claimed both the Mr. Lube Long Drive and Sundog Closest-to-the-Pin competitions in his division.

The other divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition included Truman Tai, Sterling Emery and Monica Gabriele of Mississauga, and in the Sundog Closest-to-the-Pin, Stan McElroy, Dylan Smallwood, 17, of Cambridge, and Madison Easterbrook. The Golf Town ‘Comeback Award’ winners were Joey Hetherman, Jamie Cherutti, 16, of Aurora, Evan D’Agostino, 17, of Waterdown, and Carly Shane, 16, of Waterloo.

The next stop in Ontario on the Boston Pizza-presented MJT is the Golf Association of Ontario-ranked MJT-Ontario PGA Junior Championship at Forest City National Golf Club in London on July 3rd and 4th, a major qualifier for the Singha World Junior Golf Championship in Thailand. 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 Canadian PGA Professionals. The organization hosts more than 50 events across Canada and also qualifies players for spots to international events in England, Australia, Thailand and many cities in the USA. The MJT offers annual awards, scholarships, and frequent player incentives to help reward player's performance and participation throughout each season. MJT alumni include PGA tour player Chris Baryla, players on the Nationwide and Canadian Tours, several Canadian National Junior Champions and many Future Links and Provincial Junior Champions.

Contact: Elaine Denton, Marketing & PR, MJT T: 1-877-943-1645 Email: edenton@maplejt.com