Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 10-11, 2013
East Gwillimbury, ON

Champion lives up to her name on MJT at Silver Lakes

East Gwillimbury, ON – (August 12, 2013) – Silver Lakes Golf and Country Club in East Gwillimbury, ON, played host for the first time to the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), where a solid field of junior golfers teed it up on August 10th and 11th and were treated to two beautiful days of sunshine.  The tournament also featured qualifying for the Future Collegians World Tour (FCWT) at ASU Karsten in Arizona this November, an event watched by college coaches from across North America. 

“Silver Lakes is a tree-lined course with sloped greens and proved to be a great test for the players,” said MJT Tournament Director and PGA of Canada Professional, Mike Skimson. “The lone player under par for the two days was Julia Champion who shot one under 143.” Champion, 17, of Markham, ON, put together two impressive rounds of 72-71 (143) to win the MJT Girls division and also claim the spot into the FCWT’s ASU Karsten event.  “My major goal for this season was to be under par for a tournament and I accomplished that this weekend,” she said. “I had to make a five footer on the 36th hole to finish under par, and I made it.”  Finishing second was Annika Haynes, 16, of Oakville, ON, who carded 76-80 (156), while 13-year old Sydney Naro of Toronto, ON, continued her solid play on the MJT with rounds of 84-75 (159) to finish in third place.

James Wyndham-West, 15, of King City, ON, shot 74-76 (150) to win his second MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 gold medal with a solid performance.   “It feels great to win again for the second time this year,” he said. “It makes me feel like I can compete out here with all these good players.” Finishing in a tie for second in the division at 161 total score were Connor Doucette, 16, of Waterloo, ON, who carded 83-78, and Paul Sung, 15, of Markham, who shot 81-80.

17-year old Andrew Cox of Kitchener, ON, shot 75-78 (153) to win the MJT Junior Boys 17-19 title by three strokes, commenting, “I played it safe and just kept the ball in play.  It is really good to finally get my first win.” Finishing second was Alex McKay, 18, also of Kitchener, who shot 78-78 (156), followed by a four-way tie for third place at 158 total score between Brett Kudoba, 19, of Kitchener, (81-77), Riley Burgess, 17, of Rosseau, ON, (79-79), Tyler May, 17, of Toronto, (79-79), and Justin Smith, 18, of Toronto, (74-84).

Mackenzie Crawford, 14, of Utopia, ON, carded rounds of 77-74 (151) to win the MJT Bantam Boys 14 & under title.  “It feels great to win with a solid final round!” he said. “Playing in the final group, tied with my friend Taylor Beckstead, and clinching my first MJT victory are all highlights.”  Beckstead, 14, of Alliston, ON, placed second after carding 77-79 (156), followed by Max Redman, 14, of Cambridge, ON, (87-80=167) who finished third in the division.

Divisional winners of the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Julia Champion, Jonny Piccone of Toronto, Connor Doucette of Waterloo, ON, and Colton Clemmer of Ayr, ON. Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners were Meghan Bennett of Pickering, ON, Mackenzie Crawford, Minwoo Park of Toronto, and Brett Webster of Mississauga, ON. Golf Town Comeback Awards for best second round improvement went to Sydney Naro, Cameron Schuurmans of Caledon East, ON, Connor Doucette and Michael Holden of Kitchener.

Full details from the MJT Nationwide Series at Silver Lakes Golf Club can be seen here. 

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in Ontario is the MJT Collegiate-Bound Series at Osprey Valley Golf Club in Alton on August 17th and 18th, which features a qualifier for the FCWT’s Notre Dame University event this October.  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.