Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 16-17, 2011
Winnipeg, MB

For Immediate Release

MAZUR REPEATS AS MJT PGA OF MANITOBA JUNIOR CHAMPION

WINNIPEG, MB – (August 18, 2011) – The Boston Pizza presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour held the final tour stop on the 2011 Manitoba provincial schedule this week. The MJT-PGA of Manitoba Junior Championship presented by National Bank Financial at Transcona Golf Club in Winnipeg was staged August 17th and 18th with a field of 79 junior golfers.

Players from Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba competed for age division titles in the Professional Golfers’ Association of Manitoba endorsed two day event, in addition to the chance to qualify for the Golfweek Championship at McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona this December. Part of the MJT’s role as the “Road to College Golf”, this international event is a highly anticipated event, ranked by Golfweek, AJGA and JGS and will be scouted by college coaches across North America. With a lot on the line already, players battled windy conditions in Winnipeg for the final Cleveland Golf Order of Merit points needed to qualify for the MJT’s National Championship in Florida.

Last year’s champion, Winnipeg’s Scott Mazur, would once again take advantage of his home course knowledge. The 18 year old impressed again with an opening round of one under 70 that included a 31 back nine. His second day needed only a 74 to take a seven stroke victory, winning low overall and MJT-PGA of Manitoba Junior Boys 17-19 Champion’s title (70+74=144). After his win, Mazur commented “I hit key shots at the right time. My highlights were really the 31 on the back nine in the first round and I holed out from the bunker on the fifth hole in the second round. I like to compete in MJT tournaments against good competition and it feels good to win the last tournament of the year.” In second place, Alex McDonald, 19, from Devlin, Ontario, (74+77=151) would edge out East St. Paul’s Dominic Payne, 18, by one shot (78+74=152).

The MJT-PGA of Manitoba Junior Boys 14-16 Champion was Peter Takis of Winnipeg, MB. Takis, 16, would win by three shots over his nearest competitors (75+81=156). Regarding his play, Takis said “ball striking was my key. I hit it very well, but missed some easy birdies, except on 18, that was nice. It was good fun, great prizes, good competition; I won this event back when I was just 13 so I feel really comfortable. It was nice to finish the year strong.” There were three competitors tied at 159 behind Takis: Steve Young, 15, Stacy Genaille, 15, and Kirk Markowski, 14. Young, of La Salle, MB, was lowest on the final day and would be awarded the silver medal (80+79=159). Genaille, of Pelican Rapids, MB, would finish in third place (79+80=159) and Markowski, of Dryden, ON, would have to settle for fourth (78+81=159).

The Boy’s 13 and Under Division would again be decided in a playoff this year. Brendan Kesterke, 12, of Headingley, MB (80+80=160) would face off against Rayan Soni, 13, of Winnipeg, MB, (76+84=160). Both players would birdie the first sudden death playoff hole, move on to par the second hole and reach the third hole still tied. After a stumble by Soni, Kesterke would par and claim the title as MJT-PGA of Manitoba Junior Boys 13 and Under Champion. Kesterke would credit his short game and a putt made on the first playoff hole as his keys to victory. “I love playing competitive golf and it feels really good to win my division title.” Rounding out the top three was Steinbach’s Stefan Lavallee, 13 (82+82=164).

The Girls division was once again dominated by local talent from Winnipeg. The MJT-PGA of Manitoba Junior Girls Champion was 17 year old Breanne Fredette (90+83=173). Second place was won by 16 year old Dana Todd (93+91=184). With the best second day score, a tie for third place was broken and awarded to 17 year old Larissa Koop (102+99=201). Brynn Todd, 13, would finish in fourth place (100+101=201).

In the Mr. Lube Long Drive contest, winners for each division were: Rayan Soni (Winnipeg, MB), Bailey Funk (Steinbah, MB), Brendan Baldwin (St. Adolphe, MB) and Breanne Fredette (Winnipeg, MB). For the Sundog Eyewear Closest to the Pin, division winners were: Nathan Wright (Warren, MB), Lyle Koop (Winnipeg, MB) and Erik Christianson (Winnipeg, MB). With the best second day improvement, juniors who were awarded the Golf Town Comeback Award include: Josh Martinez (Winnipeg, MB), Scott Lemon (Winnipeg, MB), Derek Solman (Winnipeg, MB), and Breanne Fredette (Winnipeg, MB).

Ed Boge, CPGA Professional and MJT Tournament Director, said, “A big thanks to the Transcona Golf Club staff for their amazing hospitality. It is always a pleasure to have our championship here. Thanks also to National Bank Financial and Guy Bieber for continuing to support this event.” Tournament Sponsor, National Bank Financial, have been behind the tournament for several years.

With the Manitoba season at an end, players will now wait for notice on qualification for the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship presented by Callaway Golf at ChampionsGate Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, November 19-20. 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 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.

About National Bank Financial:
National Bank Financial is a leading Canadian full-service investment dealer with $123 billion in assets under management who origins date back to 1902. National Bank Financial has 3,351 employees with offices and operations in Canada, Switzerland, the U.S. and the United Kingdom. The firm offers financial services and products to private and publicly owned corporations and institutional investors, individual investors and government agencies. National Bank Financial has 84 personal wealth management offices across Canada, and is the dominant provider of third-party brokerage services in the country. For more information visit www.nbf.ca

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