Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

June 4-5, 2011
Barrie, ON

Scobie Scoops International Spots at MJT’s Prodigy Series in Barrie

For Immediate Release – Barrie, ON – (June 6, 2011) – Young golfers from across the province teed it in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s MJT Prodigy Series at National Pines Golf and Country Club in Barrie on June 4-5, vying for division titles and the chance to warn exemptions into international competitions.

The low score of the weekend belonged to Matthew Scobie’s first round 73 on the challenging par 72 layout. Following up with a second round 80 under tougher conditions, Scobie, 16, of Ajax, ON, held onto his lead, taking low overall at 153 total and the Boys 14-16 division by two strokes over Alex Rajna, 16, from Waterloo, ON.

Scobie, who will now be shortlisted for the Callaway Junior World Golf Championship in San Diego, California, and has a guaranteed exemption into the East Aurora International Junior Masters in Buffalo, New York, commented that he ‘was able to bounce back after making a few mistakes in the middle of the front nine.’ He added, “it feels good (to win) regardless of how I got there.”

Rajna’s second place finish in this division was made possible by rounds of 76-79 (155). In third place only one stroke back was Nicklaus Kennedy, 16, of London, ON, who fired a pair of 78’s for his 156 total.

In the Boys 13 and under division, Max Clift, 13, of Kitchener, ON, won with steady play of 77-78 (155.) Clift noted that his key to victory was “playing the smart, high percentage shots.” His victory came by only one stroke and it was his tournament highlight bunker shot on 18 that sealed the deal. Runner-up Kyle Gorospe, 13, of Mississauga, ON, opened with an 80 and closed with a 76 for a 156 total. Third place went to Jack Jelinek, also 13, of Oakville, ON, who shot 85-80 (165).
An encouraging field size of 12 girls teed it up on the weekend and it was Annika Haynes, 14, of Oakville, who won the division title after her rounds of 87-81 (168) were good for a three stroke victory. Haynes credited her recent practice as generating the consistency that was the key to her success. “I played well and had fun with my group; it feels really good that all the practice has paid off.” In second place with scores of 90-81 (171) was Alli Gallagher, 14, of Mississauga, ON, while third place was claimed by Annika’s 17-year-old sister, Alanna Haynes (89, 83=172).
Dylan Hamara, 18, of Cambridge, ON, earned victory by one stroke in the Boy’s 17-19 division after firing 76-79 for a 155 total. As is often the case in golf, putting was the key to victory for Hamara who held off first round leader, Wesley Kwok, 17, of Markham, ON. Kwok opened with a 74 but closed with an 82 to finish second. 17 year old Ryan Amos of Komoka, ON, took third place with his 81-79 (160 total.)
Juniors also competed in skills competitions earning great prizes and recognition for long drives, closest to the pin and second day ‘comebacks’. In the Mr. Lube Long Drive, winners in various age groups included Scott Herod of Cambridge, JP Reitzel of Waterloo, Brendan Green of Cambridge and Sophie Miller of Oakville. In the Sundog Eyewear Skills Competition, the winners were Ian Hart of Burlington, Joel Albany of Georgetown, Wesley Kwok and Sophie Miller of Oakville. Golf Town Comeback Award winners in each division were Ian Hart, Matthew Didiano of Mississauga, Andrew Moffat of Brantford and Alli Gallagher.

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour continues the Ontario schedule at Paris Grand Golf Club in Paris, ON, on June 25-26, a qualifier for PGA Junior Series in the USA. For full details and online registration, 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