-Point Grey G&CC to Host Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada event in May-

Vancouver, B.C. (January 19, 2016) The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) is proud to announce that the winner of the boy’s division in this year’s CJGA Western Canadian Junior Championship will earn an exemption into the Freedom 55 Financial Open at Point Grey G.C. The Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada event will take place May 26-29, 2016.

“What a great opportunity for a young player to earn a spot in the Freedom 55 Financial Open Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada field” said CJGA B.C. Tournament Director Brad Ewart. “Many of our CJGA alum are now honing their professional skills on the Mackenzie Tour and there is a strong contingent of junior players here in B.C. that looking at professional golf down the road. This is a great opportunity for our members.”

“We are pleased to provide the CJGA with an exemption into the Freedom 55 Financial Open” stated Tournament Director David Lee-Fay. “It will be great to see another local player match their
skills with some of the best young players in the world.”

The field at this year’s 54-hole CJGA Western Canada Championship March 17-19 at Northview G.C. in Surrey will include some of the top junior boys and girls in the country as some members of Team Canada’s Junior Development Teams will be competing in the event.

Members of Golf Canada’s Development team have all had success with the CJGA, winning at the regional, provincial, national, and international levels. Team members include Charles Eric Belanger (Quebec); Jack Simpson (Ontario); A.J. Ewart (British Columbia); Tony Gil (Ontario); Alexander Smith (Alberta); Hannah Lee (British Columbia); Kathrine Chan (British Columbia); Tiffany Kong (British Columbia); Grace St-Germain (Ontario); and Chloe Currie (Ontario).

“We are very excited to include our National Development Team athletes in this year’s CJGA Western Canadian Junior Championship” said Development Squad Lead Coach Robert Radcliffe. “The early March dates combined with a great venue in Northview Golf & Country Club provide a perfect opportunity for us to launch our 2016 competitive season. With the Freedom 55 Financial Open exemption spot being available for the champion, I’m sure we’re going to see some great golf by some of Canada’s top junior golfers.”

About the Freedom 55 Financial Open

The Freedom 55 Financial Open brings the excitement of The Mackenzie Tour–PGA TOUR Canada to majestic Point Grey Golf & Country Club in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. The first stop on the Tour, this unmistakably West Coast tournament draws the strongest field and onsite attendance of the season. Past competitors include Graham Delaet, Steve Stricker, David Hearn, and 1997 Champion Mike Weir.

Canadian Junior Golf Association

The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) is a “registered Canadian amateur athletic association” (RCAAA) not-for-profit registered federally with Revenue Canada. The CJGA is dedicated to providing Canada’s junior golfers with the necessary skills and knowledge required to lay a foundation for a future in competitive golf.

Through its six-stage competitive development program that focuses on tournaments, clinics, international competitions, and mentoring programs with PGA Tour professionals, the CJGA introduces the game to juniors as young as five and offers competitive multi-day events for the more advanced golfer. The CJGA acts as a feeder system to provincial and national competitions, collegiate and university golf, as well as professional and recreational golf. For more information please visit www.cjga.com.

The Canadian Junior Golf Association is generously supported by its National Partner, Freedom 55 Financial, which provides financial security advice and planning for Canadians.

For Additional Information:
Brad Parkins
Chief Operations Officer
Canadian Junior Golf Association
1-877-508-1069 x221
brad.parkins@cjga.com