Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

November 6-8, 2015
Kissimmee, FL

PGA Tour's Retief Goosen crowns MJT National Champions in Kissimmee - Timmerman and Parsons claim Overall Titles

Kissimmee, Florida. – (November 9, 2015) – PGA Tour star Retief Goosen, winner of multiple majors, graciously presented the six divisional national MJT Champions with their custom-fit TaylorMade M1 drivers in an exciting ending to a very successful final event on Canada's number-one played junior golf tour this past weekend in Kissimmee, FLA.

A full field of young golfers had teed it up at the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf at The Reunion Resort and Golf Club on November 7th and 8th, battling to be crowned National Champion in their respective divisions as well as earn AJGA Performance Based Entry (PBE) stars. College coaches were in attendance scouting players, adding to the number of MJT members who are signing their National Letters of Intent this coming week thanks to the MJT College Golf program, Recruit Yourself 2 College (RY2C).

Roman Timmerman, 16, of Saskatoon, SK, was the Men's Overall and Juvenile Division National Champion, carding consistent rounds of 71-71=142 (-2) on the superbly conditioned Watson Golf Course which will host sectional qualifying for the Champions Tour in two weeks time. Timmerman, who is awarded AJGA PBE Stars for his efforts, said, "My ball striking was good. I know that this tournament is very competitive - it feels awesome to know my game stacks up with some of the best in the country." Finishing two shots back in Juvenile at 72-72 (144) was Matthew Anderson, 15, of Mississauga, ON, followed by Michale Valk, 16, of Medicine Hat, AB at 72-75 (147).

16-year old Mary Parsons of Delta, BC, shot 76-80 (156) to be crowned MJT Girls Overall Champion and secure AJGA PBE status for her efforts. Parsons was fortunate to meet the number-one female golfer in the world, LPGA superstar Lydia Ko, on the range at Reunion Resort and said that this was her highlight, plus 'meeting new people from across Canada.' Finishing one shot back was Ellice Hong, 16, of Thornhill, ON (78-79=157),  followed by Alex Demko, 17, of Thunder Bay, ON (82-84=166) and Clare McMahon, 17, of Red Deer, AB, at 88-82 (168) respectively.

Kade Johnson, 17, of Yorkton, SK, needed four extra holes in a playoff to defeat 17-year old Darin Bertschi of Lethbridge, AB, to determine the MJT National Junior Boys Champion.  Johnson made a solid par from the middle of the fairway on the fourth hole of the Watson Course, while Bertschi hit it in the trees off the tee and had to chip out, making a costly bogey.  "MJT always puts on a good tourney and I feel proud (to win)," said Johnson, who cited winning the playoff as his highlight. "It's nice to have all the hard work pay off." Finishing tied third in the division were 2014 Champion Alex Smith, 17, of Calgary, AB, (72-75=147) and first round leader Ty Campbell, 18, of Saskatoon, SK, (70-77=147).

14-year old Carter Graf of Red Deer, AB, was crowned MJT Bantam Boys National Champion in dramatic fashion, carding a final round 70 (78-70=148) to vault over first round leader Dylan Henderson, 14, of Waterloo, ON, (71-83=154).  "I drove the ball in the fairway often which set me up for good approach shots for birdie," said Graf. "This is a tournament full of good players and (my win) proves I can compete and that all the dedication paid off." Finishing in third and fourth place respectively were Bennett Ruby, 14, of Waterloo, ON, (83-77=160) and Colby Freidrich, 14, of Battleford, SK, (82-85=167).

Phenomenal scoring from 12-year old Brycen Ko of Richmond, BC, guaranteed him the MJT Peewee Boys National Champion's trophy after he fired rounds of 70-70=140 (-4) to walk away with an 18 shot victory margin. "My tournament highlight was making six birdies in a round," said Ko. "I stuck to the game plan and always had a positive attitude. I love the MJT tour and feel great about being the National Champion." Second place in the division went to Thomas Sluka, 12, of Canmore, AB, who carded a two-day total of 79-79 (158).  In third place was 9-year old Ryan Vest of Vernon, BC (84-80=164), followed by Jakob Lorefice, 12, of Antigonish, NS, who ended the weekend with 87-79 (168).

In the MJT Girls U15 Division, Emily Zhu, 11, of Richmond Hill, ON, continued to dominate by carding 90-81 (171) to claim the title. Zhu stated that she felt 'happy and proud' to win because  'I would have made my family happy.' Shannon Coffey, 14, of Windsor, ON, shot 93-89 (182) to finish in the Runner-up position.

MJT Team Saskatchewan, comprising Ty Campbell, Roman Timmerman and Kade Johnson, won the provinicial team component of the competition.

Golf Town Comeback awards for best second day improvement in score went to Kate Johnston (Ayr, ON), Jakob Lorefice (Antigonish, NS), Carter Graf (Red Deer, AB), Cam Kellett (London, ON), and Kyle Leiman (Victoria, BC). 

Full results and a photo gallery for the whole tournament can be seen by CLICKING HERE.

This event wraps up a very successful 2015 season for the Maple Leaf Junior Golf . The 2016 MJT National Schedule will be announced shortly.

About the MJT:

The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour presented by Boston Pizza is Canada¹s 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 Ford of Canada, Mr. Lube, Cleveland Golf, Srixon, Gatorade and Travel Underwriters, in addition to valued Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts more than 70 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.

About the adidas Group

The adidas Group is one of the global leaders within the sporting goods industry, offering a broad range of products around the core brands: adidas, Reebok, TaylorMade and Reebok-CCM Hockey. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, the Group has more than 53,000 employees and generated sales of EUR 14.5 billion in 2014.

About TaylorMade Golf Company

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, TaylorMade Golf Company sells golf equipment, footwear, apparel and accessories under the TaylorMade, adidas Golf, Adams and Ashworth brands. TaylorMade Golf Company posted 2014 sales of €913 million.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour: Elaine Denton, Director Marketing & Administration   edenton@maplejt.com   1-877-859-GOLF