Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 11-12, 2013
Petersburg, ON

Full field braves tough weather in MJT Ontario season opener at Rebel Creek

Ranton wins spot in 61st East Aurora International Junior Masters

PETERSBURG, ON – (May 13, 2013) – A record opening field size of 95 junior golfers endured some terrible weather during the Ontario season opener on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) at Rebel Creek Golf Club in Petersburg, May 11th and 12th, which clearly reflected on the day two scores.

“The largest opening field in MJT Ontario history battled very challenging conditions,” said Tournament Director and PGA Professional, Mike Skimson. “Scores were quite good on Saturday when it was cool with some wind but on Sunday the players played through hail, rain, snow and winds gusting to over 60km per hour in order to complete the 36 hole tournament.  The conditions proved to be extremely difficult as only nine players were able to improve their scores from day one.”

MJT veteran, Truman Tai, 18, of Markham, ON, was Low Overall and MJT Junior Boys 17-19 Champion after shooting rounds of 70, 77=147. Tai, who said he felt confident coming into the weekend so the victory felt great, cited his highlight as ‘making my first birdie on 14 today - such a difficult hole.’ There was a three-way tie for second place in the division at 152 total score between Luke Atack, 19, of Hamilton, ON, (72, 80), Colton Clemmer, 19, of Ayr, ON (73, 79) , and Keaton Jones, 17, of Kitchener, ON, (69, 83) .

The eligible winner of an exemption into the 61st East Aurora International Junior Masters in East Aurora, NY, which runs June 24-28, was Trevor Ranton, 16, of Waterloo, ON, after he won the MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 title with solid scores of 74, 81=155. “Driving the Par 4 7th hole was a highlight for me,” he said. “This win is a great start to the 2013 season.” Runner-up in his division was Josh Montgomery, 16, of Ancaster, ON (74, 84=158), and third place went to Luis Bridgeman, 16, of Whitby, ON (77, 84=161).

MJT newcomer Courtney Tolton, 17, of Mitchell, ON, won the Girls Division title after carding 79, 86=165. Tolton said coming down the stretch she was just thinking, ‘I want to get inside to warm up.’ She believed her ‘patience to play in the tough weather’ was key to the victory, and added, “The win feels great in these conditions.” Meghan Bennett, 17, of Pickering, ON, took second place with scores of 80, 88=168, and Julie Whalen, 19, of London, ON, came in third (84, 89=173).

The MJT Bantam Boys 14 and under title was won by Nick Hofland, 14, of Ancaster, who claimed the victory by one stroke over two close competitors with his scores of 83, 79=162. Hofland’s tournament high point was making a comeback after being 10th after the first round. “This win is a nice start after a long winter.” Tied for second spot were Drake Jefferson, 14, of Bayfield, ON (73, 90=163) and Nicholas Kyriakou, 14, of Waterloo, ON (76, 87=163).

Divisional winners of the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Meghan Bennett, Mackenzie Crawford of Utopia, ON, Paul Edgar of Kitchener, ON, and Joel Albany of Georgetown, ON. Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners were Aly Medeiros of Burlington, ON, Nick Hofland, Myles Schulz of Orangeville, ON, and Dalton Clifford of Kitchener, while Golf Town Comeback Awards went to Aly Medeiros of Burlington, Dennis Weber of Ancaster, Cole Janson of Kitchener, and Mitch Johnson of Cambridge, ON.

Results for the full field in the MJT Nationwide Series at Rebel Creek Golf Club can be seen here.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in the province, which features 16 tournaments in 2013, is the MJT Junior Worlds Qualifier at Woodington Lake Golf and Country Club in Tottenham, on May 25th and 26th. 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 number-one played Junior Golf Tour as well as the only national junior tour run exclusively by PGA of Canada Professionals and the ‘Road to College Golf’ in Canada. The organization is generously supported by Boston Pizza and Premier Partners Cleveland Golf, Srixon, Ford, Mr. Lube, Golf Town and Travel Underwriters, in addition to valued Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT 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 program 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 CONTACT: Elaine Denton, MJT edenton@maplejt.com 1-877-859-GOLF www.maplejt.com.