Joaquin Niemann & Oliver Clarke Co-Lead Individual Competition

First Round Results / Second Round Tee Times

Douro-Dummer, Ont. (September 15, 2015) – Clear skies and warm temperatures greeted the field of international golfers competing in the first round of the Canadian International Junior Challenged today at Wildfire Golf Club. After finishing as runner-up last year, Team USA (San Diego Junior Golf Association) has an early one-shot lead over Chile. Team USA currently sits at a two over-par team total (218).

Leading the charge for Team USA were Noah Henderson and Hunter Reed, opening the tournament with steady rounds of 72 (E). Cullen Plousha and Charles Reiter were not far behind their teammates with rounds of 74 (+2) and 75 (+3) respectively. “We are very pleased with our strong start to the event, but we know that it is a talented field. We will need to bring our best over the next two days in order to stay in the position we are in,” said Chris Spence, Team USA manager.

After finishing in a tie for third with CJGA Team Canada in their first Canadian International Junior Challenge appearance in 2014, Chile finds themselves in second place. Assisting Chile to this second place standing was Joaquin Niemann, who finds himself co-leading the individual standings. Niemann made five birdies in six holes on the front nine, from holes 3 thru 8. before cooling off down the stretch. Niemann shot an opening round of one under-par (71). “I was playing very well at home before leaving for Canada, and knew that a good score was out there for me. I was able to make a lot of putts on the front nine, and that was the main reason I was able to shoot 33 (-3) on the front nine.

Also contributing to Chile’s team total of 219 (+3) were Agustin Errazuriz, Thomas Burgemeister, and Tomás Gana. Errazuriz and Burgemeister shot opening rounds of 75 (+3) and 77 (+5) respectively. Returning Chilean Tomás Gana relied on the course knowledge gained last year at Wildfire and opened with a round of 73 (+1).

CJGA Team Canada sits in fifth place after the opening round with a 226 (+10) team total. Kelvin Lim (Thornhill, ON) leads the Canadians with an even-par round (72) and sits in second place individually. Making only four bogies on the day, Ty Celone (Long Sault, ON) opened with a round of 76 (+4). Andrew Harding (Bedford, NS) opened his round with two straight double bogies, before settling in and shooting 78 (+6). Zachary Greifenberger (Toronto, ON) found trouble on the 12^th hole, on his way to an opening score of 80 (+8).

England sits in third place with an opening round of 220 (+4), followed by Colombia which opened with a 221 (+5) team total. Costa Rica sits in the sixth spot with an opening team total of 250 (+34).

The Canadian International Junior Challenge continues tomorrow with tee times beginning at 8:30am. The competition will wrap up on Thursday with the final round beginning at 8:30am.

Official Tournament Website – Canadian International Junior Challenge

About the Canadian International Junior Challenge

The Canadian International Junior Challenge is one of the marquee events conducted by the Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) and is the only multi-team international junior golf championship conducted in Canada. This highly recognized event was developed to provide elite junior golfers around the world the opportunity to compete in an international ranked event while experiencing Canadian culture in one of Canada’s finest regions. The event also promotes the building of international relations between juniors and golfing federations.

About Nike Golf Canada

Based in Thornhill, Ontario, Nike Golf Canada markets, sells and distributes industry leading Nike Golf golf equipment, apparel, balls, footwear, bags and accessories throughout Canada. Nike Golf is passionately dedicated to honouring and respecting the traditions and heritage of the game, and to providing committed golfers with the absolute best equipment in the game. For more information on Nike Golf Canada, visit www.nikegolf.ca

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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. 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 More Information:
Akash Patel
Tournament Operations Coordinator
Canadian Junior Golf Association
akash.patel@cjga.com