Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 1-2, 2016
London, ON

Freedom 55 Financial event sees six MJT-PGA of Ontario Junior Champions crowned in London

London, ON – (July 3, 2016) – Another successful Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour event was held at Forest City National Golf Club in London, ON, this past Canada Day weekend, where players were competing for titles in six divisions in the Golf Canada-ranked MJT-PGA of Ontario Junior Championship presented by Freedom 55 Financial, as well as the chance to qualify for the International Players Championship in Jasper, Alberta, this August. 

MJT Tournament Director, Mike Skimson, commented, “Conditions at the course were hard, firm and fast, with strong, gusty winds on day one resulting in high scores, conditions were much improved on day two and so were the scores. All the juniors played very well and we were very pleased to have Freedom 55 Financial on board, supporting the event.”

Low overall went to the MJT-PGA of Ontario Juvenile Boys Champion, Joe MacNeil, 15, of Orillia, ON, who carded the lowest score on both days (74, 75=149) and credited ‘good preparation, good putting, good driving’ for his success. “Bennett Ruby and I were tied through 15 holes,” MacNeil added. “I am very excited to win considering it’s my first MJT event.”  Bennett Ruby, 15, of Waterloo, ON, was runner-up with scores of 77, 76 (153), and Luc Warnock, 15, of McGregor, ON, came in third place (80, 77=157).

A one-hole playoff between Connor Lyon, 18, of Kingston, ON (78, 74=152), and Adam Park, 18, of Toronto, ON (76, 76=152) was needed to determine the MJT-PGA of Ontario Junior Boys Champion, and in the end it was Lyon who was victorious. “I feel relieved,” commented Lyon afterwards. “I didn’t give up after bad shots or holes.” Third place in the division went to Michael Hamilton, 17, of Toronto, ON, (79, 75=154).

Cameron Corbett, 14, of Little Britain, ON, triumphed as the MJT-PGA of Ontario Bantam Boys Champion after firing 75, 78 (153) for a seven stroke winning margin over Toronto’s Connor Logan, 14, (79, 81=160).  “Close competitor Nick Cundari had me worried heading into the final round as he was one behind,” said Corbett. “The main reason for my winning was my good attitude on the course. All my hard work over the winter paid off. I feel proud and happy that I am ucky enough to have great parents to take me here.” Nick Cundari, 13, of North Bay, ON, ended the tournament in third place (76, 86=162).  

Racking up his third MJT title in as many starts was Andre Zhu, 9, of Richmond Hill, ON, who took home the MJT-PGA of Ontario Peewee Boys title (79, 79=158). Zhu stated afterwards that he was ‘excited’ about his win and that he played in the event because ‘the courses are always tough (on the MJT) and I play with friends.’ Second place in the division went to Kevin Lee, 11, of Markham, ON, who improved his score from day one to day two by an amazing 13 strokes to win the Golf Town Comeback Award (89, 76=155), and third place went to Oliver Taillefer, 12, of Sudbury, ON (85, 84=169).

A final round of 79 handed the MJT-PGA of Ontario Girls 15-19 trophy to Kristen Wong, 19, of Richmond Hill, ON, as she came from behind with scores of 88, 79 (167) to beat runner-up Shannon Coffey, 15, of Windsor, ON, (87, 89=176). “I kept a good mentality after my first round and consistently kept a positive attitude,” said Wong afterwards. “I believe the most important thing is to focus on your own game, because golf is you versus the course.” Third place finisher was Alyssa Burgess, 16, of London, ON (92, 91=183).

The Zhu siblings continued their winning streaks on the MJT as the MJT-PGA of Ontario Girls U15 Champion was Emily Zhu, 12, of Richmond Hill, who was a full 18 strokes ahead of her nearest competitor after day two with scores of 77, 84 (161), including an eagle on the 10th hole during round one. Mikayla Bourgeois, 13, of Mississauga, ON, was second (90, 87=177) and third was 14-year-old JiaYin Joy Liu, of Waterloo, ON, (101, 88=189).

Lucky local, Colin Warren of London, won both the Miura Gift Card and the Freedom 55 Financial Draw Prizes. Joe MacNeil, Connor Lyon and Emily Zhu were the eligible qualifiers for exemptions into the International Players Championship (IPC) presented by Miura Golf in Jasper, Alberta, this August. In addition, a total of 18 prizes were also awarded to the Longball Long Drive, MJT Closest-to-the-Pin and Golf Town Comeback Competition Winners in the tournament, whose names are all listed on the tournament page on the MJT website. 

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in the province is the MJT Srixon Series at Rebel Creek Golf Course in Petersburg, on July 25th and 26th, a qualifier for International Team Challenge presented by Freedom 55 Financial in Welland this September.  For more information on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, 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 Ford of Canada, TuGo, Cleveland Golf, Srixon and Aquafina, 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.

About Freedom 55 Financial:

Freedom 55 Financial, a division of London Life Insurance Company, offers financial security advice and planning to Canadians through its 3,700 financial security advisors across Canada.  Freedom 55 Financial offers London Life’s own brand of life insurance, savings and investments, retirement income, annuities, and mortgage products to Canadians.

Twitter: Freedom 55 Financial @F55F

Facebook: Facebook.com/Freedom55Financial

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