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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

July 9-10, 2011
Windsor, ON

Rajna Victorious at MJT’s Ambassador stop

Windsor, ON. – (July 11, 2011) –
After two runner-up and one third place finish on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) this season, Waterloo’s Alex Rajna finally has his first win after the 16 year old won low overall and the Boys 14-16 title on the MJT Ontario Series at Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor this past weekend. All players in the field were treated to beautiful weather over the 36 hole event which featured three boys age divisions and one girls division.

Rajna’s great scores of 70+72=142 also earned him an MJT exemption into the Texas Junior Golf Tour’s Holiday Classic in Austin, TX, USA, an event attended by many college coaches. “My key to victory was my ball striking. On number 15 I hit a three wood onto the green to 10 feet, definitely my tournament highlight,” said Rajna. “It feels very satisfying to win my division title; I’ve been working hard on my game.” Finishing second for the Boys 14-16 division was Oliver Stephens, 16, of Sarnia, ON, who shot 76+78=154. Third place was a tie at 158, settled by retrogression to award the bronze medal to Mr. Lube Long Drive winner, Patrick McCann, 15, of Tecumseh, ON (77+81=158), with Brandon Mihalo, 15, of Windsor, placing fourth (78+80=158).

In the Boy’s 17-19 division, Lasalle’s Rick Voyvodic, 17, won by two strokes after firing rounds of 72+73=145. “It feels amazing. My irons were the key to my win however it was a big putt for par on eight that highlighted my victory,” he commented. His iron play was also rewarded when he won the Sundog Eyewear Skills Competition, however he should also credit his driver as he picked up the Mr. Lube Long Drive as well. Voyvodic wasn’t the first round leader, however, as shooting the tournament low round of 69 to open his tournament was Brett Kennedy, 18, of Kitchener, ON. Unfortunately for Kennedy, a difficult day two of 78 would mean a 147 total and a second place finish. Rounding out the top three was 17 year old Luke Atack, of Hamilton, ON, who scored another solid finish on the MJT (79+73=152).

Young 13 year old William Stadder of Windsor was the Boy’s 13 and Under Division champion after carding rounds of 82+77=159. Additionally, Stadder collected both the Sundog Skills Competition prize and Golf Town Comeback award for his second day come from behind improvement. When asked about how it feels to win, Stadder commented “I’m happy to be able to be in the tournament!” Reflecting on what earned him top spot he noted that ‘staying committed to each shot and a 20 foot birdie putt on the last hole’ sealed the deal. In second place, also 13, was Gilbert Paul Lanoue of Belle River, ON (79+83=162) who also out drove his fellow competitors to win the Mr. Lube Long Drive prize. Finishing in third was Trevor Webb, 13, of Cambridge, ON (96+95=191).

The Girls division champion was 18 year old Laura DeMarco of LaSalle, ON (75+79=154) who also won her division’s Mr. Lube Long Drive. Commenting on her tournament win, DeMarco said “I hit a lot of greens. I was able to give myself good yardages and get close to the pin. I went birdie, birdie on 14 and 15. To win, I think it is awesome, it was fun!” Windsor players collected both second and third place with Emily Stadder, 15 (80+83=163) earning silver and Josephine Vajko, 19 (85+84=169) taking bronze.

The other divisional skill competition winners were Jordan Hutchings (Kingsville Golf Club) for the Sundog Eyewear Skills Competition, Thomas DeMarco (Essex Golf Club) and Connor Teno (Beach Grove Golf Club) for the Golf Town Comeback Award and Jenna Banz (Whistle Bear Golf Club) for both awards.

The Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour continues its Ontario schedule in Niagara Falls, July 16-17 with the MJT Ontario Series at Legends on the Niagara GC. This event is a qualifier for a trip to the Florida Winter Golf School at Old Corkscrew Golf Club. Registration is still open and spots are limited. For full details and online registration, interested juniors can visited 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