Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 31-September 1, 2013
Waterloo, ON

Great scores highlight end of multi-day MJT tournament schedule at Grey Silo

Waterloo, ON – (September 2, 2013) – Canada’s number-one played Junior Golf Tour, the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, ended the multi-day tournament schedule for Ontario with a wait-listed field in the MJT Collegiate-Bound Series at Grey Silo Golf Club in Waterloo, where players competed for titles in four divisions plus the chance to qualify for the Future Collegiate World Tour’s (FCWT) Notre Dame University event. Adding to the tournament was the presence of MJT Partner, the ANNIKA Academy, on-site to provide free information sessions to parents and players on “Five critical factors when considering U.S. College Golf.”

Craig Stefureak, 16, of Caledonia, ON, fired excellent rounds of 69, 71=140 to win Low Overall, the FCWT exemption,  and the MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 title by one stroke over first-round leader Trevor Ranton, 16, of Waterloo, who had followed up his outstanding opening round of 67 with a 74 (141). “Trevor played really well and gave me a good run,” said Stefureak, “It feels great to defend my title and it’s always great to win on MJT.” Third place in the division went to Wesley Day, 16, of Ajax, ON, who shot 72, 75=147.

In the MJT Junior Boys 17-19 division, Daniel Kwon, 17, of Etobicoke, ON, shot 69, 73=142 to edge Daniel Knapp, 17, of Burlington, ON (69, 74=143) for the title. “I played a solid first round and was in position to win,” said Kwon. “On the second round I struggled a bit playing the front nine in four-over-par but I stayed in it and shot a solid bogey free two-under on the back.” The top three spots in the division were rounded out by Andrew Cox, 17, of Kitchener, ON, who carded solid scores of 71, 73=144.

Julia Champion, 17, of Markham, ON, closed with a fine score of 68 to vault ahead in the Girls division and snag her second victory on the MJT (76, 68=144). “I really enjoyed playing Grey Silo because you have to think your way around the course,” she said. “The key to my victory was my short game to save par and making five birdies. I wasn't thinking about score or winning - I was just telling myself to hit fairways, greens and take the two putt. It feels great to win my second MJT event this month.” Runner-up was Meghan Bennett, 18, of Pickering, ON, who fired back-to-back rounds of 78 (156 total), while third place went to Michelle Ruiz, 18, of Mississauga, ON (76, 82=158).

Among the Bantam Boys 14 and under, the top three finishers were Jordy Denomme, 14, of Waterloo, (79, 73=152), Mackenzie Crawford, 14, of Utopia, ON (82, 74=156) and Mackenzie Raines, 14, of Kitchener, ON (80, 80=160). Denomme commented after his victory, “I was just having fun because I was playing really good, I wasn't thinking too much. My goal for this season was to win one MJT and I succeeded so it feels good, a big relief!”

Divisional winners of the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Diana McDonald of Loyalist GC and Kingston, ON, Dennis Weber of Ancaster, ON, Matthew Yustin of The Fox GC and Gormley, ON, and Chase McCarthy of Donalda GC and Toronto , ON. Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners were Michelle Ruiz (Diamondback GC), Max Redman of Whistle Bear GC and Cambridge, ON, Craig Stefureak (Sundrim GC) and Brett Kudoba of Whistle Bear GC and Kitchener, ON. Golf Town Comeback Awards for best second day improvement went to Ellis Harvie of Oakville, ON, Mackenzie Crawford (Bear Creek GC), Jared Kuthe of  BraeBen GC and Mississauga, ON, and Connor McCrea of Hidden Lake GC and Burlington, ON.

Detailed highlights and a photo gallery of the MJT Collegiate-Bound Series at Grey Silo Golf Club can be found online at http://www.maplejt.com/tour.php?id=2013035. 

MJT members have earned valuable Cleveland Golf Order of Merit points throughout the season and now await invitations to the prestigious MJT Boston Pizza National Championship at The Reunion Resort in Orlando, Florida, on November 8-10, 2013, where Annika Sorenstam, LPGA Legend, will host a clinic for the fortunate participants. The MJT Nationwide One Day Fall Series now finishes the season in Ontario, at Mystic Golf Club in Ancaster on September 14, and Cambridge Golf Club in Cambridge on October 19. 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.