Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 7-8, 2011
East St. Paul, MB

Mazur Low Overall; DeGrazia Shortlisted for Junior Worlds at MJT’s Manitoba Season Opener

For Immediate Release – East St. Paul, MB – (May 9, 2011) – The Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf’s (MJT) Manitoba season opener finally got underway on May 7th and 8th after a re-schedule due to poor weather the previous weekend, and a full field of young players from across Manitoba and Ontario teed off at The Meadows at East St. Paul Golf Course. Extreme wind with rain during round one were not reflected in the scores of the tough Canadian kids as they braved the blustery conditions and fought their way to posting some great results, with exemptions up for grabs into the Junior World Championships in San Diego, the 59th East Aurora International Junior Masters (EAIJM) in New York, and a PGA Junior Series stop.

Scott Mazur of Winnipeg, MB, and a member of the University of Manitoba’s Golf Team, was the low finisher for the tournament with a four-under par 140 total for the two days. 18 year old Mazur, who is very familiar with the winner’s circle, fired incredible rounds of 71 and 69 in challenging conditions to take a convincing nine stroke victory in the Boys 17-19 division. “I made some key putts when I was struggling to make par that really kept my momentum going,” Mazur commented. He noted his highlights: “I made two eagles on par fives, it felt nice to play well throughout both rounds and finish with a solid score.” Runner-up, Alex McDonald, 19, of Devlin, ON, also played well with back-to-back rounds of 74 for a 149 total. Bret Thompson, 17, of Winnipeg, was the third place finisher, shooting 80-72 (152 total), and is the eligible qualifier for a paid entry into a PGA Junior Series event in the USA.

In the Boys 14-16 division it was Evan DeGrazia, 16, of Thunder Bay, ON, taking his second gold medal ever on the MJT with a two day total of 151 (76-75), who was the eligible qualifier for the EAIJM as well as the shortlist for the Junior World Championships. DeGrazia stated that in tough conditions his key to victory was “keeping the ball in play and hitting greens in regulation”. He continued, “it feels really good to win, especially because I have only golfed two rounds in Ontario so far.” Only two strokes behind to finish second was Travis Fredborg, 14, of Selkirk, MB, who scored rounds of 78-75 (153 total). Third place finisher, Darren Kelpin, 15, from Stony Mountain, MB, was only one stroke back of second with his 79-75 (154 total).

Winnipeggers dominated the Girls division where Bri-Ann Tokariwski, 18, a veteran of the MJT circuit, captured another Girls division victory after firing 87-78 (165). Putting up a second day charge but settling for the silver was Breanne Fredette, 17, who carded 91-79 (170). Finishing in third was 15-year-old Dana Todd, who shot a pair of 87’s on route to a 174 total.

It took an extra hole in the stormy conditions for 11-year-old Brendan Kesterke of Headingley, MB, to capture victory in the Boys 13 and under division over Winnipeg junior, Rayan Soni, 13, after Kesterke had shot steady rounds of 78-81 (159) to stack up against Soni’s 77-82 (159). Kesterke stated on winning, “My tournament highlight was my putt on the playoff hole. I felt comfortable on the green both days. It felt very good, especially with the competition getting better.” Recovering from a tough first day 99, Sam Diamond, 12, from Winnipeg, came back in round two with a great score of 75 for a 174 total, good enough to earn not only third place but a Golf Town Comeback award for his 24 stroke improvement.

In the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition, winners in various age divisions were Sam Diamond, Steve Young of La Salle, MB, Kyle Kelpin of Stony Mountain and Dana Todd. For the Sundog Closest to the Pin Competition, winners in various age divisions were all from Winnipeg: Izac Silagy, Josh Zaporzan, Jesse Miller and Jaclyn Albrechtsen. Golf Town Comeback Award winners for best second day improvement in each age division were Sam Diamond, Connor Shaw of Dauphin, MB, Rhys Hathlerly of Pinawa and Breanne Fredette.

The MJT circuit continues on June 11th and 12th in Winkler with the MJT Manitoba Series presented by Lethbridge College at Winkler Golf Club. This event is a qualifier for the Srixon International Junior Classic in New South Wales, Australia. 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 presented by Boston Pizza is Canada’s premier and only national junior tour run exclusively by Canadian PGA 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 7-13 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. For more information please visit www.maplejt.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: MJT - Elaine Denton - edenton@maplejt.com - 1-877-859-GOLF