Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 27-28, 2013
Barrie, ON

McKay, Hofland, McDonald and Borer take MJT titles at National Pines

Barrie, ON – (July 29, 2013) – Alex McKay, 18, of Kitchener, ON, came from behind to win low overall and the MJT Junior Boys 17-19 division title at the two-day MJT Nationwide Series at National Pines Golf Club on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, July 27th and 28th, citing his mental game and confidence throughout the rounds as key to victory.

“I didn’t expect to win honestly, I was five shots off the lead coming into the last round and I knew that Ryan (Vandenbroek) was a strong competitor,” said McKay, who shot 80-71=151. “It feels outstanding to win seeing as I didn’t expect to finish top three – I’m thrilled with how I played today.” Second place in the Junior Boys division went to Riley Burgess, 17, of Rosseau, ON, who carded 78, 77=155, and Justin Smith, 18, of Toronto, ON, rounded out the top three (77, 79=156). Vandenbroek, of St. Thomas, ON, finished tied for fourth (75-87).

In the tightly contested MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 division, Nick Hofland, 15, of Ancaster, ON, fired 75, 81=156 to edge Matthew Vihant, 15, of Toronto (76, 81=157) for the title. “Matthew Vihant was close to me all day long and coming down the stretch even though we both messed up it was a tight finish,” stated Hofland. “It feels good to win on the MJT regardless of score.” There was a tie for third place in the division at 158 total score between Mathew Suarez, 15, of Toronto (83, 75), and James Wyndham-West, 15, of King City, ON (80, 78).

Diana McDonald, 15, of Kingston, ON, continued her winning ways on the MJT, attributing victory to ‘my parents and my coach,’ and claimed another Girls division title by two strokes after firing 82, 80=162. Sydney Naro, 13, of Toronto, finished second (84, 80=164) and third place among the Girls went to Sarah Geurten, 16, of London, ON, who carded 80, 88=168.

A playoff was needed in the MJT Bantam Boys 14 and under division after Mitchel Borer, 14, of Ancaster, ON (90, 73=163), came from behind to tie for the lead with Marco Trstenjak, 13, of Winnipeg, MB (80, 83=163). Borer, who won on the first playoff hole, stated, “I putted well today, the best I have in a while. I knew it was gonna be close after such a rough first round and there are some good competitors in the field. It feels great to get my first win.” Third place finisher was Shane Price, 14, of Orangeville, ON, who scored 82, 83=165.

Divisional winners of the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Sydney Naro, Shane Price, Mitchell Hardy of Kitchener, and Nick Striker of Waterloo, ON, while winners of the Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin Competition were Sady Beelik of Pefferlaw, ON, Lucas Harvey of Toronto, Drake Jefferson of Bayfield, ON, and Tyler May of Toronto. Golf Town Comeback Awards for best second day improvement in scores went to Mackenzie Baker of London, Mitchel Borer, Luca Giannace of Kleinburg, ON, and Gabriel Vallozzi of Woodbridge, ON.

Detailed highlights on the MJT Nationwide Series at National Pines Golf Club can be seen here. 

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in the province is the MJT Nationwide Series at Caledon Golf Club in Caledon, August 3rd and 4th. For more information or to register, 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.