Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 22-23, 2013
Cambridge, ON

Chiasson’s six-under-par tops 97-player field at MJT Nationwide Players Championship - Boncoddo wins qualifying position into TJGT Holiday Classic

Cambridge, ON – (July 23, 2013) – A solid field of 97 junior golfers teed it up in the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s nationally-ranked MJT Nationwide Players Championship at the Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, Ontario, this past weekend, where highlights in the four division competition included Matt Chiasson closing his MJT career with a six-under-par victory and Sydney Naro making her first career hole-in-one on the 14th hole during her first round.  The two-day tournament also featured qualifying for the Texas Junior Golf Tour’s (TJGT) Holiday Classic at Barton Creek in Austin, Texas this December.

“The course was in fantastic shape and played firm and fast for the players,” said Associate Tournament Director and PGA of Canada Professional, Mike Skimson. “Close races in all divisions made for some exciting finishes.”  Chiasson, 19, of Cambridge, ON, shot 67-71 (138) and claimed the MJT Junior Boys 17-19 gold medal in the final junior event of his career.   “It feels awesome!” he said. “It is my last MJT event and I closed with a victory.  I tied my career best score of 67 (on day one) and it was my best tournament score ever.” Finishing second in the division to take the silver medal was John Boncoddo, 17, of Brantford, ON, who carded 67-73 (140) and is the eligible qualifier for the TJGT Holiday Classic at Barton Creek, while Keaton Jones, 17, of Kitchener, ON, (72-70=142) placed third to round out the top three in this division.

Jason Chung, 14, of Thornhill, ON, carded stellar rounds of 72-70 (142) to claim the MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 division in a very tight race.  “I just kept hitting fairways and greens,” said Chung. “I stayed humble, patient and didn’t expect too much.”  Finishing one shot back in second place was Sam Kreze, 16, of Kitchener, ON, who played solid golf shooting 71-72 (143), followed by Trevor Ranton, 16, of Waterloo, ON, (78-70) and John Warren, 16, of London, ON, (77-71) who tied for third place.

Sonia Nagindas, 15, of Aurora, ON, put together two fine scores of 76-74 (150) to come from behind and win the MJT Girls division, beating two MJT veterans by one shot to claim the gold medal.  “It feels great to come from behind as this win was unexpected,” said Nagindas. “I was just really calm and tried to par in.”  Meghan Bennett, 18, of Pickering, ON, (76-75=151) and first round leader Madison Easterbrook, 17, of Burlington, ON, (73-78=151) finished tied for second place.

Consistent rounds of 75-74 (149) secured the MJT Bantam Boys 14 and under gold medal for 14-year old Michael Rizzo of Brantford, ON, who commented, “I was thinking hit and chase it, trying to keep my mind off of my opponents and what they were doing. The win hasn’t really hit me yet.” Finishing in a tie for second place in the division at 151 total score were Mackenzie Raines, 14, of Kitchener (76-75), and Ben Davies, 14, of Cambridge (77-74).

Divisional winners of the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Maddy Piccininni of Toronto, Mackenzie Raines of Kitchener, Andrew Chambers of London, and Hunter Phelan of North Vancouver, BC. Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners were  Sonia Nagindas, Matteo D’Ambrosio of Richmond Hill, Jason Chung and Ryan Vandenbroek of St. Thomas. Golf Town Comeback Awards went to Sonia Nagindas, Cameron Schuurmans of Caledon East, Trevor Ranton of Waterloo, and Tyler Hale of Burlington.

Detailed highlights on the MJT Nationwide Players Championship at Whistle Bear Golf Club can be seen here. 

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in Ontario is the MJT Nationwide Series at National Pines Golf and Country Club in Barrie, a qualifying event for the Future Collegiate World Tour’s TPC Sawgrass event in Ponte Vedra, Beach, Florida, this December.  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 PGA of Canada 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.