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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

November 16-18, 2012
Phoenix, Arizona

MJT National Champions Crowned in Phoenix; College Coaches extend offers to several players

Phoenix, Arizona, USA – (November 20, 2012) – The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s MJT Boston Pizza National Championship presented by Callaway at The Legacy Golf Resort in Phoenix, Arizona, over the November 17-18 weekend, marked a successful finish to the best season ever on Canada’s most-played junior golf tour. Out of 72 golfers from across the country – literally from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, all the way to Tignish, Prince Edward Island - four divisional National Champions were crowned. Highlighting the weekend was key-note speaker Tim Mickelson, Head Golf Coach at Arizona State University and younger brother of PGA Tour Professional Phil Mickelson, who spoke to the juniors about the transition into college golf. Many other coaches were also on hand over the weekend to watch the players, fulfilling the MJT’s mandate as the ‘road to college golf’ as scholarship offers were extended to a number of juniors upon completion of the event.

The players were treated to outstanding weather and a golf course that was in near perfect condition. Keaton Jones, 17, of Kitchener, Ontario, won his second consecutive MJT National Championship, winning the Boys 17-19 Division and Low Overall Honours on the perfectly manicured Legacy Golf Resort with two fine rounds of 71-69 (140). “I played a great final round,” said Jones, who earns American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Performance Stars with his victory. “It feels awesome to win! I could not have done it without my parents, my coaches, my family and the Whistle Bear Golf Course.” Just one stroke back in a three-way tie for second place was Derek Roach, 17, of Calgary, Alberta, (72-69), Jared Du Toit, 17, of Kimberley, British Columbia (72-69), and Jason Fritz, 19, of Lethbridge, Alberta (70-71).

Jack Quirke, 15, of Waterloo, Ontario, (72-71) defeated Craig Stefureak, 15, of Caledonia, Ontario (71-72) on the third playoff hole after both players finished regulation tied for the lead at 143 in Boys 14-16. Quirke’s par on the third playoff hole was the deciding shot but Stefureak had opportunities on the first and second playoff holes, lipping out putts on both. Quirke said he was ‘just trying to make a putt in the playoff and remain steady.’ He added, “I am very excited to win here!” Again there was a three-way tie for third just one stroke back of the leaders at 144 total score between Travis Fredborg, 16, of Selkirk, Manitoba (74-70), Edward Metcalfe, 16, of Surrey, BC (73–71) and James Kim, 14, of Langley, BC (73–71).

13-year-old Mackenzie Raines of Kitchener, Ontario, was crowned the MJT Boys 13 and Under National Champion after firing rounds of 70-75 (145) to edge out a hard-charging Tyler Nagano, 13, of Toronto, Ontario, who shot 76-70 (146) to close the gap. “I am very happy and can’t believe that I came through on the last and biggest MJT event of the year,” said Raines of his victory. “The course was great and the conditions were perfect.” Finishing third in the division was Brendan Kesterke, 13, of Headingly, Manitoba, who carded rounds of 73-75 (148).

Corinne Grans-Wood, 17, of Barrie, Ontario (73-72=145) played flawless golf to win the MJT Girls National Champion title over Veronica Vetesnik, 15, of Winnipeg, Manitoba (71-77=148) in a tight race. Vetesnik birdied the 35th hole while Grans-Wood made bogey to enter the final hole tied, but Vetesnik drove into the fairway bunker, eventually making triple-bogey while Grans-Wood made a solid par to claim the title. “I was pretty nervous because the scores from the first day were pretty close,” stated Grans-Wood, who also earns AJGA Performance Stars. “I knew that it was going to be close.” Tied for third place at 149 total score was Jaclyn Lee, 15, of Calgary (75-74), and Madison Easterbrook, 16, of Burlington, Ontario (73–76).

A total of eight Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition awards went out during the tournament to divisional winners, including Mackenzie Raines, Michael Griffin of Victoria, BC, Brendan Henriques of Waterloo, Mike Peters of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Derek Roach, Madison Easterbrook, and Jaclyn Lee. The divisional Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners were Tyler Nagano, Craig Stefureak, Bryce Melville of Morinville, Alberta, Jacob Vanderpas of Vancouver, BC, Marc-Andre Belanger of Dieppe, New Brunswick, Carolyn Lee of Calgary, and Veronica Vetesnik. Golf Town Comeback Awards went to Michael Valk of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Jordan Morford of Abbotsford, BC, Leighton Bearchell of Saskatoon, SK, and Gina Kowalchuk of Lethbridge.

The non-profit MJT’s 15th anniversary season is next year, and early bird memberships will soon be available on the tour’s website at www.maplejt.com. For more information please 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