Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 23-24, 2012
Cambridge, ON

Wilson wins MJT Players Championship at Whistle Bear

Cambridge, ON – (July 25, 2012) – A full field of junior golfers on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) were treated to two ideal scoring days with a little wind at the MJT Players Championship at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, ON, on July 23 and 24. The MJT Players Championship is one of two nationally-ranked events on the MJT Ontario schedule this year, with players earning valuable Golf Canada Order of Merit Points on the CN Future Links Order of Merit as well as a direct exemption into the Golfweek West Fall Tour Championship in Menifee, CA, USA, this December.

Chris Wilson, 17, of Toronto, ON, beat the heat to fire tournament low rounds of 69-74, making birdie on the 16th hole of the second day and never looking back. “It feels amazing to win on the MJT for the first time!” said Wilson, who won low overall and MJT Players Championship Boys 17-19 title. “The tournaments are well organized and it’s a nice feat that I can add to my resume.” Wilson was also the eligible qualifier for the Golfweek Junior Tour’s West Fall Tour Championship spot. Runner-up in the division with two solid rounds of 72-73 was David Fell, 17, of Guelph, ON, followed by Brodie McKinney, 17, of Stony Creek, ON, who carded 74-73 for third place.

Ryan Vandenbroek, 16, of St. Thomas, ON, won the MJT Players Championship Boys 14-16 title with stellar rounds of 73-73 after a close contest, stating, “I played strong with my head in it through the final stretch while battling the wind.” Gavin McQueenie, 15, of Toronto, played solidly with rounds of 71-76 to finish one back in second place in the division, while again just one stroke back in third place was Trevor Ranton, 15, of Waterloo, ON (72-76).

The MJT Players Championship Boys 13 and Under title went to 13-year-old Michael Rizzo of Brandtford, ON, who won by firing career low rounds of 72-76 in a tight battle with Toronto’s Tyler Nagano. “It feels like a dream! Just because of the scores that I went out and shot. I am truly amazed!” said Rizzo of his win. Nagano, 13, finished one stroke back with great rounds of 71-78, followed by Ben Davies, 13, of Cambridge, ON, who shot 84-75.

Casey MacNeil, 17, of Massey, ON, played solidly over the weekend and posted back-to-back rounds of 77-77 to win the MJT Players Championship Girls Division. “It feels great (to win)!” stated MacNeil. “It is a great confidence booster as I head to the Canadian Junior in Calgary.” Finishing in a tie for second place was Kirsten Degutis, 18, of Waterloo, ON (75-81) and Annika Haynes, 15, of Oakville, ON (74-82) who both recorded two-day totals of 156.

Mr. Lube Long Drive Awards went to Ben Davies of Cambridge, ON, Jack Quirke of Waterloo, ON, Ben Finlayson of Kitchener, ON, and Casey MacNeil, while the Sundog Eyewear Skills Awards were taken home by Jason Fitzgerald of Burlington, ON, Gavin McQueenie, Colton Clemmer of Kitchener, ON, and Sonia Nagindas of Aurora, ON. Golf Town Comeback Awards went to Ben Davies of Cambridge, ON, Webster Steele of Waterloo, ON, Connor Mathers of Toronto, and Olivia Brock of London, ON.

The next event is the MJT Ontario Series at Caledon Country Club in Caledon on August 3 and 4, 2012, another qualifying event for the Golfweek Junior Tour’s West Tour Championship. 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