Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 2-4, 2011
Calgary, AB

DU TOIT GOES 11-UNDER TO WIN MJT-PGA OF ALBERTA JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

For Immediate Release – Calgary, AB – (August 5th , 2011) – Junior golfers from all over Alberta and BC traveled to compete in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s (MJT) PGA of Alberta Junior Championship at McKenzie Meadows Golf Club in Calgary this week. Jared Du Toit, 16, of Kimberly, BC, was on fire carding rounds of 66-66-72 (-11) over three beautiful scoring days to win Low Overall, the Boys 14-16 Title, and claim the international spot into the FCWT Notre Dame University event this October. Du Toit’s score of 11 under par is the lowest score ever on the Alberta MJT in its 13 year history, to which he responded: “I am stoked for this win!! It is my first win on the MJT, and I am thankful to them (MJT) for giving me this opportunity!” Following Du Toit’s blazing score in the Boys 14-16 division was Derek Roach, 16, from Calgary, who played great golf with rounds of 72-73-67 (-5), and Greg Billingsley, 16, of Calgary, who finished third with rounds of 74-72-76.

In the Boys 17-19 Division there was also stellar golf being played as Connor O’Reilly, 19, of Edmonton, fired rounds of 67-69-73 (-7) to claim top honors, and also received a very special award given out at the prize presentation, the Tyler Tomaszeski Sportsmanship Award for behavior on and off the course. Tyler Tomaszeski, a regular face on the MJT throughout his golfing career, passed away suddenly two years ago and his mother, Heather, was on hand to hand out the award in his memory. After the award was given out, O’Reilly commented, “I was extremely happy with how I golfed this week, setting a personal best for a 54 hole event. However my performance was secondary to the award I received on behalf of the family of Tyler Tomaszeski. I was extremely honored to be given the award for sportsmanlike conduct, which is always my number one goal. I can deal with poor performance, as long as I conduct myself in a way that I'm proud of. When I'm able to play my best, and perform in a respectful way which raises the expectations of junior golf, then I am truly proud of my performance.” Finishing in second place was John McKiernan, 17, of Calgary, who carded back to back 71’s to finish strong while third place was won by Eric Praught, 18, of Canmore, who shot rounds of 74-74-70. Praught was very excited as he just received an invitation into the Canadian Amateur next week in Winnipeg prior to coming to Calgary to play in the MJT event.
Brendan Brown, 12, of Calgary, carried on his winning ways with a comeback win, his 6th on the MJT this season, firing rounds of 75-79-73 to claim the Boys 13 & Under honors besting Noah Vongphit, 13, of Regina, SK, by three shots. Third place went to Michael Martin, 13, of Calgary, who finished three back of Vongphit. Through 9 holes, all players were close before Brown stepped away from the group to win by three shots. Following the round, Brown commented, “I am proud that at one point, I was seven shots back and battled hard. This was one of the best tournaments that I have ever played in -there was good competition on a great course!”

In the Girls Division, Shannon Raina, 18, of Calgary, came back hard with a great round of 82, passing Jamie Smeaton, 18, of Lethbridge, to be crowned Girls Division Champion. Raina played steady golf with rounds of 88-91-82, and stated, “I had a great time this week, and my game finally came together on the last day. The course was in great shape, it was a fun event, and I am very pleased with my performance.” Finishing in third place was Megan Vermillion, 19, of Fort McMurray, who finished one shot back of Smeaton.

Skills competition winners in various divisions were Megan Vermillion (RedTail Landing Golf Club), Tyler Pederson (Bearspaw Golf and Country Club), Martin Steger (Earl Grey Country Club) and Brayden Provost (Pincher Creek Golf Club) for the Golftown Comeback Award. Winning the Mr. Lube Long Drive was Brendan Brown (Silverwing Golf Club), Brett Pasula (Red Deer Golf & Country Club), Rob Bell (Pinebrook Golf & Country Club) and Megan Vermillion (RedTail Landing Golf Club), while Sundog Closest to the Pin winners were Noah Vongphit (Memphis National Golf Club), Nolan Bruin (Red Deer Golf & Country Club), Richard Kelba (Sirocco Golf Club) and Shannon Raina (Canyon Meadows Golf Club).

The MJT Alberta concludes its multi-day schedule on August 15th -16th at Carnmoney Golf Club in Calgary, which is a qualifier for the Golfweek Championship at McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona, this December. For more information or to register, 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 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