Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

October 8, 2011
Cambridge, ON

Finlayson takes low overall on MJT at Cambridge

For Immediate Release – Cambridge, ON – (October 10, 2011) – Beautiful sunny weather was enjoyed by the junior golfers in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s MJT Ontario Fall One-Day Series at Cambridge Golf Club in Cambridge this past Saturday, October 8, where Ben Finlayson, 17, of Kitchener, fired his low round of the season (72) to win low overall and his first Boys 17-19 division title on the MJT.

Finlayson stated that ‘hitting the greens in regulation and making tough up and downs’ was key to his victory. “After a double bogey, I stayed positive and made two birdies. This off-season I need to get back with my coach Mark Wilson and work on my weaknesses.” Runner-up in Boys 17-19 just one stroke back was Truman Tai, 17, of Markham, who shot 73, edging third place finishers Wesley Kwok, 17, of Markham and Colin McCoy, 18, of Tilsonburg, who both carded 74.

In the Boys 14-16 division, John Boncoddo, 15, of Brantford, won his second outing on the MJT this season after shooting 75, citing the key to victory was his iron play. “I hit all greens and my driver wasn't the best with five fairways but my irons saved me. The highlight was the back-to-back birdies I made on holes number one and two.” 14-year-old Tyler Douse of Waterloo came second with 81. Third place was a tie at 82 between Callum Biehn, 15, of Georgetown, and Daniel Guo, 15, of Markham.

Michelle Ruiz, 16, of Mississauga, carded 79 to win the Girls division by two strokes over both Annika Haynes, 15, of Oakville and Alisha Corringham, 16, of Pickering. Ruiz, who plans to ‘practice! practice!’ in the off-season and also do some travelling to play tournaments in the States, believed her key to victory was her short game. “My chipping and putting were the best they have ever been. My highlight would have to be hole number five where I sunk a 20 footer.”

It took his best round of the season for Anthony Occhiuto, 12, of Guelph, to win his second MJT Boys 13 and under title by two strokes (77). “I started out well and finished well,” he summed up, adding he intends ‘to keep practicing and to keep working hard,’ during the off-season. Second place went to Jackson Bowery, 13, of London (79) and third place to Mark Wodz, 13, of Toronto (82).

In the Mr. Lube Long Drive contest, winners for each division were Adrian Mazzarolo of Ancaster, Sean J. Chung of Toronto, Adam Taylor of Port Robinson, and Lorelle Weavers of Burlington, while the Sundog Eyewear Closest to the Pin division winners were Jackson Bowery, Mitch Grassing of Waterloo, Colin McCoy and Michelle Ruiz. There were also dozens of draw prize winners.

The last tournament in the MJT Ontario Fall One-Day series runs October 22 at BraeBen Golf Club in Mississauga. For full details, 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