LOG IN
  User:   Pass:
Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA Professionals

Press Release

July 2-3, 2011
London, ON

13-Year-Old Wins Low Overall at MJT’s Ontario PGA Junior Championship

For Immediate Release - London, ON. – (July 4, 2011) –
The MJT-Ontario PGA Junior Championship played out at Forest City National Golf Club in London this past Canada Day weekend, the first in a major series of Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour- Canadian Zone PGA events across Canada, and also a Golf Association of Ontario-ranked tournament. Players faced some hot and humid weather but fantastic course conditions at the challenging course. Taking it low in the first round and holding onto the lead over the 36 holes was Tony (Taekkun) Gil, 13, of Markham, ON, who played up a division with the older age group and was crowned MJT-Ontario PGA Junior Boys 14-16 champion as well as low overall winner for the entire field.

Gil, playing in his first Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour event, fired 69-75 (144) and stated, “It feels so good to win - it will also boost my confidence for future tournaments. The tournament highlight for me was making a 40 foot birdie putt on the fifth hole. The key to my victory was to stay calm and focused and the big thing for me was my short game.” Runner-up in the Boys 14-16 division was Keaton Jones, 15, of Kitchener, ON, who shot 80-72 (152), while third place was claimed by 16 year old Chris Wilson of Toronto, ON, who also opened low (71-82=153).

The Girl’s Division featured 15 young players and was won by MJT veteran, Kirsten Degutis, 17, of Waterloo, ON, who fired 76-82=158, saying she had to commit to “playing one shot at a time and focusing on targets.” Her tournament featured an eagle on number 10 en route to her opening round of 76. On capturing the MJT-Ontario PGA Junior Girls division title, she said simply, “It feels great!” There was a tie for second place at 163 between Maddy Piccininni, 16, of Toronto, and Corinne Grans-Wood, 16, of Barrie, ON, who shot 79-84 and 78-85 respectively.

Shooting in the 70’s both days convincingly secured the MJT-Ontario PGA Junior Boys 13 and Under title for Kyle MacDonald, 13, of Oakville, ON, where his consistent rounds of 76-76 (152) won the division title by 10 strokes. “I hit the ball great for both days; probably the best I have hit it in a tournament before. I would say my bunker shot on 10, which led to me making a birdie, was my tournament highlight. To win my division title feels great - I’m really happy to win this tournament because it’s a fun tournament on a great golf course. There were a lot of great players in this event and to win against them is a good accomplishment.” Thomas Code, 13, of Dorchester, ON, shot 78-84 (162) to place second, and only two strokes back in third place was Kitchener’s Max Clift, 13, who carded 84-80 (164).

The MJT-Ontario PGA Junior Boy’s 17-19 Champion was Truman Tai, 17, of Markham, who shot 73-75=148, and reflected on his play, “I thought I planned my way around the course really well, managing my game well.” Tai points out a 30 foot birdie putt on four grabbed the tournament lead for him, and he never looked back. “It feels satisfying to win today because I’ve played this event so many times as a younger junior and finally won today!” North Listowel’s Blake Thompson, 18, held the lead after day one but was unable to keep up with Tai and finished in second, four strokes back (72-80=152). In third place was Jason Greenwood, 18, of Windsor, ON (82-76=158).

Juniors also competed in skills competitions for Long Drive, Closest to the Pin and Best second-day Comeback. In the Mr. Lube Long Drive, the winners were Kyle MacDonald (Rattlesnake Golf Club), Mitch Grassing and Brendan Green (Whistle Bear Golf Club) and Alanna Haynes (Wyldewood Golf Club). The Sundog Eyewear Skills Competition winners were Thomas Code (Forest City National Golf Club), Mitch Grassing and Kelsey Studiman (Whistle Bear Golf Club) and Shawn Curran (Tangle Creek Golf Club). Golf Town Comeback Awards went to Dennis Weber (Oak Gales Golf Club), John Warren (Hunt Club), Neil Khosla (Rattlesnake Point Golf Club) and Alli Gallagher (Flamborough Golf Club).

The Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour continues along its “Road to College Golf” with the MJT Ontario Series at Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor on July 9-10, a qualifier for the Texas Junior Golf Tour Holiday Classic in TX, USA, as well as a Junior Golf Scoreboard Ranked Event. Players can register online at 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 premier and only national junior tour run exclusively by Canadian PGA Professionals and the ‘Road to College Golf’ for aspiring young players. The organization hosts more than 60 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7-13 year olds, and multi-day events for competitive players which also qualify juniors for international competitions. The MJT 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. For more information please visit www.maplejt.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: MJT - Elaine Denton - edenton@maplejt.com - 1-877-859-GOLF