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Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA Professionals

Press Release

June 25-26, 2011
Paris, ON

Jones Joins Winner’s Circle at MJT’s Paris Grand Event

For Immediate Release - PARIS, ON – (June 27, 2011) –
Keaton Jones, 15, of Kitchener, ON, was the low finisher in this weekend’s Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour Ontario Series at Paris Grand Golf Club in Paris, June 25-26, where he emerged with the lowest two day total on a difficult golf course that saw players recording higher than normal scores. The challenging course did not dampen enthusiasm among the junior golfers, however, as a great atmosphere surrounded the closing holes with much of the field staying after their round to watch completion of play and cheer on their fellow competitors.

Jones wins an exemption into a PGA Junior Series event of his choice in the USA after playing two steady rounds of golf (76-74=150) to take a two stroke victory the Boys 14-16 Division over Alex Rajna, 16, of Waterloo, ON, who fired the only under-par round of the tournament. Rajna’s second day 71 moved him up the leaderboard considerably after his disappointing 81 opening round. On the win, Jones noted that “not making big numbers and making lots of pars,” was his key to victory. He continued, “It feels satisfying to win after playing so well in the past couple weeks.” Rajna’s 152 total earned him runner-up honours over Evan DeGrazia, 16, of Thunder Bay, ON, who shot a pair of 77’s for a 154 total and a third place finish.

There was a good showing in the Girls Division, where Lorelle Weavers, 17, of Burlington, ON, was the champion by an impressive six stroke margin (83-83=166). “It’s amazing. I have never won anything this big before. When I was on the golf course, I thought that I had blown it, but I managed to keep myself together and pull off an 83,” commented Weavers. She noted that her key to this victory was “my tee shots. It was a short course so I didn’t necessarily need to hit my driver off every hole.” Runner-up Kirsten Degutis, 17, of Waterloo, shot 87-85=172, while third place went to Madison Easterbrook, 15, of Burlington (87-86=173).

Kyle Gorospe, 13, of Mississauga, won his second MJT Boy’s 13 and Under Division title after firing 79-74=153, and enthused, “It feels great considering this was my second win out of three tournaments with great scores both rounds. The key to my victory was consistent iron play, hitting 15 of 18 greens and my ability to manage the course. I think this is a great tour, has great prizes, I love the courses that host the tournaments, and the people who play and those who run the tour.” He added…. “I also love the [Boston] pizza!” The play of second place finisher, Max Clift, also 13, of Kitchener, was strong with two rounds in the 70’s (79-78=157) - another impressive performance and well deserving of his silver medal and prizes. Rounding out the top three was Scott Herod, 13, of Cambridge, ON, who carded 85-90=175.

In the Boys 17-19 Division, Hamilton’s Luke Atack was champion by a five stroke margin (80-76=156). Atack, 17, enjoyed personal retribution with his play - “It feels good because I played poorly in the first couple tournaments this year so to have a good showing in the second round feels good.” Atack noted, “I hit a lot of fairways and just kept the ball in play and my tournament highlight was on the 12th hole of the second day when I hit my approach to three feet.” Runner-up, 17 year old Matthew Chiasson of Cambridge, who is already a winner on the MJT this year, had another solid finish (81-80=161). Only one stroke behind him and collecting the bronze medal was Andres Mejia, 17, of Thornhill, ON (82-80=162).

In the skills competitions, Mr. Lube Long Drive winners were Jackson Bowery (London, ON), Eric Flockhart (BraeBen Golf Club), Joshua Richard-Monro (Trafalger Golf Club) and Madison Easterbrook (Beverly Golf Club), while the Sundog Eyewear Skills Competition winners were Tyler Nagano (Toronto, ON), Alex Rajna (Rebel Creek Golf Club), Andrew Moffat (Brantford Golf Club) and Carly Shane (Whistle Bear Golf Club). The Golf Town Comeback awards recognize the best second day improvement in each division and went to Tyler Nagano (Toronto Golf Club), Mitchell Teal (Hamilton Golf Club), Brady Welsh (Stone Tree Golf and Fitness) and Kimberly Risulmi (IMG Academies Golf Club).

The next stop on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is the MJT-Ontario PGA Junior Championship at Forest City National Golf Club in London, July 2-3. This event is ranked by the Golf Association of Ontario and is also a major qualifier for MJT Team Canada to the Srixon International Junior Classic in NSW, Australia. For 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