Toronto, ON (July 13th, 2017) – The Canadian Junior Golf Association in partnership with the International Junior Golf Tour hosted the 15th annual North America Cup at the beautiful Weston Golf Club in Toronto, ON. Juniors on both IJGT Team USA and CJGA Team Canada played some amazing golf which produced some exciting matches throughout the week. After three days of competition both Team USA and Team Canada were tied with ten points meaning that Team USA retained the 2017 North America Cup.

Team Canada entered the day needing 6.5 points to win the cup. The day couldn’t of started off better for Team Canada as the first three matches played by Jakob Lemieux, Vincent Poirier and Luca Ferrara were all victories for Canada, giving them the 7-6 lead. Team USA got their first point of the day in the fourth match as Neal Shipley was victorious over Romi Dilawri. James Parsons and Ethan Cardwell of Team Canada were able to clinch points for Canada winning their matches 4&3 and 3&1. Team Canada member Jackson Rothwell just missed a birdie putt on seventeen which would of forced the match to head to 18. Jack Cornforth of Team USA was able to clinch an important point for Team USA over Rothwell winning a close match 2&1. Playing Team Captain for the Americans, Cole Berger was able to get Team USA a point winning his match over Canadian Jocelyn Menard. Sarah Perine of Team USA was able to get the Americans another point in the second to last match of the day, defeating Ashley Chow of Team Canada. The last match of the day saw Canadian Erin Kim win over American Sonia Mistry by a score of 4&3 to tie the scores up 10-10.

On the day Team Canada outplayed Team USA six points to four. The stellar play from the Canadians on day two and three gave them a great opportunity to win the cup. “Great playing from Team Canada the last couple of days, you guys were awesome, you guys had me sweating and stressing out today.” said Non-Playing Team USA Captain Brendan Nettles during the closing ceremonies.

Despite not winning the cup, Team Canada really enjoyed the experience of the tournament and having fun on and off the course with the whole team. Team Canada member Luca Ferrara was victorious in all three of his matches over the week and commented on his overall experience at the North America Cup, “It was really fun, meeting everyone on the team was great. This was my first team event and even though we didn’t come out with the win it was still a great week. I learned a lot about my game and myself as a person throughout the training camp and tournament.”

Players were extremely privileged to be able to play such an prestigious golf course as Romi Dilawri of Team Canada commented on Weston Golf Club during a post round interview, “Its a solid track and is in really good condition, it was a lot of fun playing Weston throughout the week.” Team Canada playing Captain Vincent Poirier also commented on Weston Golf Club, “Its so nice, the greens are pretty fast, it is such a good challenge and I think we are pretty lucky to play here and I’m so happy I am here.”

Non-Playing Team Canada captain Cody Kotva was extremely honoured to captain and be apart of Team Canada during the week. The players loved the feedback and confidence that Kotva would provide on the course during their matches. “Im really proud of the team after being down 4-1 in dramatic fashion the team could of thrown in the towel. They persevered and came within a half point of winning the cup, I couldn’t be any more proud of Team Canada”, said an emotional Kotva in his post tournament press conference.

Next year CJGA Team Canada will look to bring the cup back home after IJGT Team USA retained the trophy for two years in a row. The tournament will shift back to the United States next year as the 16th North America Cup will be played in South Carolina.

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