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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

September 22-24, 2017
Niagara on the Lake, ON

Golf Ontario Team Wins ITC presented by Freedom 55 Financial in Niagara

Niagara on the Lake, ON - (September 25, 2017) – Warmer than normal weather and spectacular course conditions topped off a successful third annual MJT International Team Challenge (ITC) presented by Freedom 55 Financial, held at Royal Niagara Golf Club in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, September 22 to 24, under the umbrella of the Maple Leaf Junior Tour (MJT), Canada’s number one-played junior golf tour.

The 90-player invitation-only junior event has a college-golf type format, hosting elite players in 15 teams from across Canada and the United States, including teams from the Golf Association of Ontario, New York PGA, and top Academies including the Golf Performance Coaches, , Glen Abbey and the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, representing Western Canada, Eastern Canada and Ontario. Each six-player team was made up of two Junior Girls, two U17 Boys and two U19 Boys in a daily best four of six aggregate team scoring format.  The tournament also included an individual 54-hole medal play format for both boys and girls divisions.

Golf Ontario WHITE, consisting of Taylor Beckstead (Alliston), Tristan Renaud (Sudbury), Freddy D’Angelo (Fonthill), Marcus Khaw (Burlington), and Jasmine Ly (Windsor) won first place with a three day total of 869 points over the Golf Ontario BLUE team (887 points). Third place went to the ‘Geared for Golf’ JGDC (Junior Golf Development Centre) Team with 925 points.

Taylor Beckstead, 18 of Alliston, ON, prevailed in a playoff over Johnny Travale, 16, of Hamilton, ON, to claim the Junior Boys individual title. Both players shot three round totals of 211 over the very challenging Royal Niagara layout. Beckstead said, “I struck the ball really well and made some good par putts when I needed to and stayed calm and patient. Johnny made a very hard push shooting 68 in the final round, so my wire-to-wire win feels good especially with a hole out eagle from 86 yards on eight on day two. The win feels really good, always nice to see hard work pay off.”

The Junior Girls title was won by Hailey McLaughlin, 16 of Markham, ON, after she posted a three-round total of 228 (77,77,74) to narrowly edge out both Victoria Zheng, 13 of Markham, and Melanie Green, 15, of Medina, NY, who tied for second at 229. “I am happy that I won, sure the first two days were OK, but staying focused today and shooting two over to end, I’ve got no complaints,” said McLaughlin. “My highlight was finally hitting the 15th green, par five in two. I missed it the first two days, so finally making it and grabbing the birdie was for sure the highlight.”

Freedom 55 Financial presented this unique junior golf event, adding to their strong support of golf in Canada. Team and individual results for Golf Ontario White, Golf Ontario Blue, Geared for Golf JGDC, New York PGA, MJT Western Canada, MD Junior Golf Academy, Whistler Bear GPC, Golf Performance Coaches, MJT Eastern Canada, Glen Abbey JGDC, MJT Ontario Blue, Glen Abbey GDC, Westmount GTC and MJT Ontario Red can be found online on the MJT website www.maplejt.com.

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 presented nationally by Boston Pizza and supported by valued Premier, 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, the Collegiate Tour for 19-23 year olds, and multi-day events for competitive players aged 11 to 18 which are also qualifiers 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. For more information on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, please visit www.maplejt.com

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

MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Hood, Manager of Marketing & Administration, Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour chood@maplejt.com 1-877-859-GOLF  www.maplejt.com.