Barrie, ON (June 19th, 2017) – The Canadian Junior Golf Association hosted the Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy series presented by Georgian College at National Pines this past weekend. The Bantam and Junior Girls were able to complete a full 18 holes on Saturday before the lightning and tornado delays. Due to the delays the Bantam and Junior Boys divisions were reduced to nine holes on Saturday but they were able to completed 18 holes on Sunday to make the tournament a 27 hole event. Players, parents and golf course staff were very patient with the three delays over the weekend including, as mentioned before, a serve tornado warning. Despite the weather conditions the competition at National Pines was amazing as the tournament saw two playoffs in the boys divisions.

Junior Boys U19

Pride of Mississauga, ON, Graeme Edwards was able to clinch his second CJGA victory on the second hole of the sudden death playoff at National Pines on Sunday afternoon. Edwards entered the final round three shots behind the lead and was able to shoot well on Sunday despite very windy and wet conditions. Edwards posted weekend rounds of 37-75-112 to get into the sudden death playoff for the championship.

After tying the first playoff hole, Edwards had a tricky chip shot on the second playoff hole. It was an up hill lie with an awkward stance but Graeme was able to flop it to about two feet which gave him a putt to win the championship. “The nerves were flying, I could definitely feel my heart beating really fast, and I had a bit of adrenaline but I knew if I just gave it a stroke like I have been hitting the ball all day that the ball will hit the back of the cup.”, replied Edwards when asked about his feeling standing over a short putt for the victory.

Edwards valued the experience of winning in a playoff over a good field at National Pines, these experiences are something he wants to continue to build throughout the summer, “I want to become consistent and try to make my college golf team. I hope that these wins will help me on my road to success in the future, these wins just build confidence.”

In the playoff with Edwards was Thomas Latter also of Mississauga, ON. Latter had weekend rounds of 34-78-112 and just narrowly missed winning in the playoff.

Junior Girls U19

Hometown girl Shehna Akbary from Barrie, ON was able to win the Junior Girls division at the Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy series presented by Georgian College at National Pines. Akbary entered the final round three shots behind the first round leader and was able to climb up the leaderboard and win by a five shot margin. Akbary shot rounds of 85-77-162 in which her final round 77 was the lowest score in the field.

In second place was Cindy Zhou of Niagara Falls, ON. Zhou entered the final round three shots behind the leader and was able to climb into second place with a consistent round of golf. Zhou posted scores of 84-83-167 at National Pines.

Bantam Boys U15

Alex Gurdyal from Stouffville, ON was able to win the Bantam Boys division at the Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy series presented by Georgian College at National Pines with a very exciting sudden death playoff. Gurdyal had scores of 37-82-119 to force a playoff in which he won on the second playoff hole.

“Wow, I feel amazing, the second playoff hole I almost holed it out for a hole in one, just wow. I hit my nine iron flush and then Christan’s shot, I thought he was going to hole it out too!”, commented Gurdyal in a post round interview. With three weather delays over the weekend players had to adapt and remain focus with multiple short delays. Gurdyal found waiting out the weather delays was difficult as he said, “It was tough waiting, I became stiff, and I was feeling a little bit of pain in my hip but I battled through it. I was lucky that our front was the score that was count.”

Finishing in second place was Christian Leduc of Innisfil, ON. Leduc had weekend rounds of 39-80-119 to just lose to Gurdyal in a very tight sudden death playoff.

Bantam Girls U15

Sarah Gallagher of Burlington, ON was able to clinch her third win on the CJGA this season this past weekend at the Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy series presented by Georgian College at National Pines. Gallagher posted scores of 79-81-160 to comfortably win the tournament by eight strokes. Gallagher arrived back home Friday night after winning the DeLaet Cup with Team East last week in Saskatoon, SK. Sarah did not show any signs of fatigue despite a few weather delays as she posted great scores which included an eagle on the par 5 14th hole.

Participating in a team format event was something that Gallagher enjoyed playing at the DeLaet Cup but she had to change her mindset back to playing in a individual stroke play event. “I think it was a little easier for me to play since I was playing all week, so I was ready. I had to Change my game plan, from playing at the DeLaet Cup.” commented Gallagher in a post round interview. After achieving her goals for the season already after three wins, Sarah’s next goal for the summer is to break 70.

Elaine Giantsopoulos of Richmond Hill, ON finished in second place after a stellar final round. Giantsopoulos shot rounds of 87-81-168 over the weekend, in which her final round 81 was tied for the low round of the day on Sunday.

About the Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy

Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy was created to meet the needs of top golfers at every stage of their amateur and professional development.

The GNCGA is built on the professional playing career and instructional know-how of Greg Norman to provide a comprehensive development platform for golfers seeking to dramatically improve their ability to compete effectively and win.

GNCGA provides expert coaching and instruction based on a proprietary teaching methodology that effectively develops and reinforces proper fundamentals while integrating the individuality of each player’s body and swing, with the state-of-the-art equipment.

Our aim is to provide golfers in the U.S. and abroad with an instructional program and training environment in which the ability to play collegiate and professional golf can be fully developed. By opening our doors to these young players, we can provide them with consistent, effective training based on direct experience of what it takes to compete and win at every level of the game.

About the 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. Currently in its 25th year, 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:
Trevor Vander Glas
Communications and Media Assistant
1.877.508.1069
trevor.vander.glas@cjga.com