Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 3-4, 2013
Caledon, ON

DeDominicis secures spot to TPC Sawgrass event at MJT’s Caledon stop

Caledon, ON – (August 5, 2013) – Over the long weekend, players on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) competed for titles in four divisions in the MJT Nationwide Series at Caledon Country Club in Caledon, ON, with the chance to also qualify for the Future Collegians World Tour (FCWT) TPC Sawgrass event in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, this December. 

“Cool, breezy conditions welcomed the golfers to the rolling hills of Caledon Country Club which were a real eye opener for some of the players from out of province,” said MJT Tournament Director and PGA of Canada Professional, Mike Skimson. “The course was in fantastic shape with speedy greens that became very difficult in the gusty winds.”

Handling the breeze the best from the back tees was MJT Junior Boys 17-19 leader and low overall champion Stefan DeDominicis, 17, of Brandtford, ON, who shot 75-73 (148) to claim his first MJT win as well as the spot in the FCWT TPC Sawgrass event. “It feels great to win an MJT event,” said DeDominicis, “I have played the tour for years and have always wanted to win one.” Finishing second in the division was Adam Graham, 17, of Sarnia, ON, who carded 82-77 (159) while there was a tie for third at 161 total score between Alberta’s Austin Biletsky, 17, of Strathmore, (82-79) and Jeffrey Gardner, 18, of Port Carling, ON (80-81).

Matt Deven, 16, of St. Thomas, ON, fired two solid rounds of 80-77 (157) to win the MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 division title. He stated, “I birdied the first two holes of the tournament – that was a highlight. This feels amazing because it is my first tournament win in my career so far.”  Finishing in a tie for second place was Jordan Carr, 15, of Brockville, ON, and John Warren, 16, of London, ON, who both shot identical scores of 78-83 (161).

In the Girls division, Michelle Ruiz, 17, of Mississauga, ON, shot strong rounds of 76-79 (151) to win in an impressive showing.  “My highlight was hitting my irons fairly well and hit lots of greens in regulation. All that was going through my mind coming down the stretch was ‘don’t hit the ball out of bounds’!” she said. Lorelle Weavers, 19, of Burlington, ON, competing in her final MJT event, finished alone in second after rounds of 85-80 (165), while Sydney Naro, 13, of Toronto, ON, shot 86-84 (170) to round out the top three in the division.

Manitoba’s 14-year old Brendan Kesterke, of Headingley, fired excellent rounds of 73-76 (149) off the MJT Bantam Boys tees to win the 14 and under champion’s medal in style.  “I birdied the last three holes of my first round,” Kesterke commented. “I hit lots of fairways and greens this week.” Second place went to Mackenzie Crawford, 14, of Utopia, ON, who shot 81-77 (158), followed by third place finisher Max Redman, 14, of Cambridge, ON, who carded 75-87 (162).

Divisional winners of the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Sydney Naro, Alex Wyndham-West of King City, ON, Logan Sullivan of Strathroy, ON, and Jeffrey Gardner of Port Carling, ON. Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners were Sydney Naro, ON, Mitchell Taylor of Bolton, ON, Matt Deven, and Tyler Hale of Burlington. Golf Town Comeback Awards went to Melissa Gabriele of Mississauga, Nicolas Calabrese of Maple, ON, Riley Spear of Acton, ON, and Tyler Hale.

Results for the full field in the MJT Nationwide Series at Caledon Country Club can be seen here. 

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in Ontario is the MJT Nationwide Series at Silver Lakes Golf and Country Club in East Gwillimbury on August 10th and 11th.  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.