Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

June 2-3, 2012
Barrie, ON

Stefureak wins MJT playoff, qualifies with MacNeil for Future Champions Golf spot

Barrie, ON – (June 4, 2012) – A full field of junior players on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) slugged it out through tough conditions on the June 2nd and 3rd weekend at the MJT Ontario Series at National Pines Golf and Country Club in Barrie. “The conditions were very difficult today,” said Tournament Director Dave Smallwood of the final round, “wet, tough, and windy – not a very nice day to play golf but the kids persevered.” Coming out on top was Craig Stefureak, 15, from Caledonia, ON, and Casey MacNeil, 17, of Massey, ON, who both qualified for exemptions into the Future Champions Golf World Championship this July in La Quinta, California, by winning Low Overall and the Girls division titles respectively.

It took a playoff in the Boys 14-16 division to decide the qualifying spot as Stefureak and Keaton Jones, 16, of Kitchener, ON, were tied at 147 after regulation. Stefureak won the playoff, saying, “Keaton (Jones) played great today and we had a battle the whole round. I just tried to play my own game, and hit the shots that I needed. This was great experience, and the MJT is a great tour!” Finishing in third place was Charlie Corner, 16, of Cayuga, ON, who carded solid rounds of 76-76 to take home the bronze medal.

Casey MacNeil, 17, of Massey, ON, played solidly over the tough weekend with rounds of 79-76 to win the Girls Division and also qualify for the Future Champions Golf World Championship which is held at PGA West in La Quinta, CA, this July. “I created a good lead after the front nine,” stated MacNeil. “I just wanted to hang in there and the tournament was mine.” Finishing in second place was 16-year old Michelle Ruiz of Mississauga, ON, who carded 82-78, while Yoorim Kang, 17, of Toronto, finished in third place with rounds of 81-85.

In the Boys 17-19 Division, Colin McCoy, 18, of Tilsonburg, ON, was low with rounds of 75-74 to claim the gold medal and edge out Andres Mejia, 18, of Thornhill, ON, who carded rounds of 79-75. McCoy said he ‘came into the day four back and wanted to just play one shot at a time, hoping for a couple shots to fall.’ He added, “Kudos to the MJT (Dave Smallwood) and their staff for doing an awesome job!” Finishing one shot behind Meija was Nicholas Ross, 17 of Dundas, ON, who played s
solidly with rounds of 75-83 to place third.

13-year-old Tyler Nagano of Toronto, ON, won the MJT Boys 13 and Under title convincingly, claiming the gold medal after firing rounds of 75-82. “At the end of the first round, I was a little worried because I had a slim lead which could be gone quickly, but tried not to think of the result, just stayed in the moment and hit one shot at a time,” said Nagano of his win. Finishing in second place was Michael Rizzo, 13, of Brandtford, ON, who carded 83-91, followed by Ganden Doherty, 13, of Toronto, who shot 79-98.

Divisional winners of the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Tyler Nagano, Joel Albany of Georgetown, ON, Wesley Kwok of Markham, ON, and Jenna Banz of Cambridge, ON. Sundog Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners were Nagano, Hayden Edworthy of Cambridge, Truman Tai of Markham, and Aly Medeiros of Burlington, ON. Golf Town Come Back Awards were won by Nathan Douglas of Thornhill, ON, Keaton Jones, Matthew Geurten of London, and Jenna Banz.

The MJT Ontario schedule continues in Burlington, ON, with the MJT Prodigy Series at Hidden Lake Golf Club on June 16-17, 2012, which is also a qualifying event for MJT Team Canada to the Srixon International Junior Classic in New South Wales, Australia, this October. 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 PGA of Canada 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 7–12 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.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Elaine Denton, MJT
edenton@maplejt.com
1-877-859-GOLF
www.maplejt.com