Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 24-25, 2019
Waterloo, ON

McKenzie’s eagle, eight birdies earns MJT low overall at Grey Silo

Waterloo, ON – (August 26, 2019) – Young golfers gathered to compete for titles in six divisions at the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s MJT Ford Series at Grey Silo Golf Club in Waterloo, ON, on August 24 and 25, where members were also eligible to qualify for the season-ending MJT Boston Pizza National Championship presented by TaylorMade and adidas golf at Reunion Resort in Florida this November.

The tournament also featured a chance to win a Ford EcoSport S with a Hole-in-One contest, where several players came tantalizingly close. Complimenting the event was a MJT Ford Go Golf! Junior Clinic sponsored by Parkway Ford, held on August 23 at Grey Silo Golf Club to introduce boys and girls to the game of golf for free.

All eyes were on the MJT Juvenile Boys Division where three-time 2019 MJT champion, Tommy McKenzie, put on a show. The 16-year-old from Calgary, Alberta, made the trip to the tournament worth his while, recording scores of 72 and 71 (143) including an eagle and eight birdies. “I felt pretty good coming down the stretch,” said McKenzie, who eagled the 17th hole on the second day. “I did a lot of good things and was happy with the way I played.” This win at Grey Silo Golf Club is McKenzie’s fourth of the 2019 season in four starts. Finishing just four shots back in second place was Caledonia, ON-resident, Charlie Cooper. The 16-year-old fired respectable scores of 75 and 72 (147) including finishing three under in his last two holes of the tournament.

Toronto, ON’s Julian Colavecchia captured the Hoselton trophy in the MJT Junior Boys Division with scores of 76 and 75 (151). The 17-year-old, who is playing his second year on the MJT junior tour, punched his ticket into the winner’s circle with his performance at Grey Silo. Attributing his win to his ball striking, he commented, “I did a pretty good job keeping the ball in play this tournament.” Colavecchia had a pretty good finishing stretch going two under and bogey free in his final six holes of the tournament. Alexi Filion, 17, of Baltimore, ON, took home a runner-up finish shooting scores of 77 and 76 (153) to finish just two shots back of first.

Kelly Zhao, of North York, ON, continued her stellar season winning her third straight 2019 Hoselton trophy in the MJT Girls U15 Division. The 13-year-old player fired rounds of 75 and 73 (148) to win after being tied for the lead starting round two. “Everything felt right,” she said. “I just knew I could win.” Taking home second place was Oakville, ON-native, Julia Alexander-Carew, 13, with scores of 75 and 76 (151).

Winning the MJT Girls 15-18 title, her first of the season, was 15-year-old, Bo Brown, of Mississauga, ON. Brown recorded scores of 70 and 79 (149), including an impressive four birdies on her first day. Attributing her win to her play on the greens, Brown commented, “My putting was pretty solid for both rounds and that helps a ton.” Oakville’s Rachel Demaine, 15, finished runner-up with scores of 79 and 78 (157).

A tight race took place in the MJT Bantam Boys Division between Burlington, ON-resident, Spencer Korol, 14, and Waterloo-local, Nolan Hesson, 14. Tied after the first day, Korol (81, 79 = 160), pulled ahead finishing even par in his last five holes to win over Hesson (81, 81 = 162). “I was definitely nervous coming down the stretch,” said Korol after handing in his scorecard. “But I was able to keep it together and pull through.” Korol, who is a rookie on the MJT, acquired his first win since joining.

The MJT Peewee Boys Division was won by Woodstock, ON-player, Adam Giroux. The 12-year-old carded scores of 93 and 102 (195). “My putting was definitely the strongest part of my game,” he said. “I just have to keep working on the rest of my game.” Alex Stone, 11, of Burlington, ON, had to settle for second place (110, 96).

For PLYR Long Drive, PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin and the MJT Booster Juice Comeback Award winners, please visit the highlights page for the tournament here. Exemptions for the national tournament will be announced once qualifying has completed across the country.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop is the MJT Ontario GTA Series at Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club in Thornton, ON, on September 1 and 2. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.

About Ford: Ford of Canada employs over 23,000 talented individuals in the fields of finance, sales and marketing, information technology, manufacturing and engineering, and human resources. This diverse workforce is responsible for the manufacturing and assembly operations that bring 320,000 vehicles and 425,000 engines to market. At Ford we are proud to be Canada’s longest-established automaker and remain committed to building a strong future in Canada. www.ford.ca

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 close to 80 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7 to 12 year olds, the Collegiate Tour for 19 to 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, see www.maplejt.com.

MJT Media Contact: Sadiq Jiwa, 1-877-859-GOLF, sjiwa@maplejt.com