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Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA Professionals

Press Release

November 14-16, 2014
Phoenix, AZ

Eagles and birdies highlight MJT Boston Pizza National Championship Four National Champions Crowned; Lawrence and Smith awarded AJGA PBE Stars

Phoenix, Arizona, USA – (November 17, 2014) – The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s MJT Boston Pizza National Championship at The Legacy Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona, which ran November 14th to 16th, marked a successful finish to another record season on Canada’s most-played junior golf tour. Four divisional National Champions were crowned out of 84 golfers who qualified to attend from across the country – literally from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, all the way to Bathurst, New Brunswick - and all the players were treated to a clinic by former PGA Tour winner, Ted Purdy, and College Coach, Andy Walker.

An outstanding four-under-par opening low round of the tournament secured a wire-to-wire victory for Alexander Smith, 16, of Calgary, AB, who fired 67-71 (138) to win Overall Low, the MJT Boston Pizza National Juvenile Boys 15-16 Championship Title, and an American Junior Golf Association Performance Star. "My tournament highlight was making two birdies from off the green the first day to shoot 67," he said. "The win felt great because I didn't have to worry anymore about having hit a terrible shot that would have taken me out of the top few spots."

Finishing just one shot back in the division was James Wyndham-West, 16, of King City, ON, whose excellent final round of 69 pulled him into second place with scores of 70-69 (139), while Roman Timmerman, 15, of Saskatoon, SK, blitzed the course on day one with a 68 but had a tougher battle on the windy day two which saw him settle for third (68-75=143).

Jared Nicolls, 18, of Ponoka, AB, came from behind to claim the MJT Junior Boys 17-19 National Champion’s title after commandingly managing his way around the superbly conditioned course with scores of 71-70 (141). He cited putting and a clutch finish as his key to victory. “I went three under in my last three holes to win by one,” said Nicolls. “It's one of the coolest wins of my career. Pretty cool for a small town Alberta boy to win on such a big stage like this. I would like to thank my family, my coaches and Wolf Creek Golf Resort for all the support."  Runner-up was Robert Wilkinson, 17, of Dundas, ON, (69-73=142) whose first round score was low for his division and the key to holding off third place finisher, Casey Sullivan, 18, of Kelowna, BC, who carded 70-73 (143).

Sarah Lawrence, 16, of Duvall, WA, played some wonderful golf to shoot 72-71 (143) and win the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship for the Girls Division by two strokes. "Making an eagle on number 18 as well as making three birdies were my tournament highlights. My short game was very good - I made lots of up and downs," she said. "The tournament was very well run and fun to compete in - it feels really great to win." Second place went to Tiegan Taylor, 15, of Kelowna, BC, who shot 74-71 (145), and third place to Alexandra Demko of Thunder Bay, ON, who shot 78-72 (150).

Impressive scores continued in the younger boys division where Andy Kim 14, of Langley, BC, shot 71-72 (143) to win the MJT Bantam Boys 14 and under National Championship Title.  "My shots were on target the whole tournament," he stated. "Good preparation was key. The course was in excellent condition. It just feels great to win." Three strokes back and tied for second place were Ronnie Postnikoff, 14, of Medicine Hat, AB, who carded back-to-back rounds of 73-73 (146), and Jordan Bean, 14, of Saskatoon, SK, who followed up his one-under-par opening round of 70 with a 76 (146).

There were 16 winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive and Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin Competitions which ran both days in each division; winner names are posted on the MJT website here. Golf Town Comeback Awards for best second day improvement in score went to Alexandra Demko, Jack Ferguson of St. Thomas, ON, Justin Berget of Spruce Grove, AB, and Corey Bailey of Shaunavon, SK.

The event was attended by several college and university coaches and made a fitting ending to the successful season on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour. A schedule of events for 2015 will be available in early January; 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