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Stouffville, Ont. (September 26, 2016) – The Canadian Junior Golf Association Junior Tour competed at Bethesda Grange Golf Course, this past weekend. Junior golfers battled against blustery winds during the first day of the competition, while Sunday brought nearly perfect weather conditions. Ultimately, Ryan Stolys, Cynthia Zhao, Jeffrey Fang, Michael Katsman and Sarah Gallagher were crowned divisional champions.

Junior Boys Division (U19)

Ryan Stolys, 18, from Richmond Hill Ont., was the Junior Boys division winner. Stolys approached the competition with a plan for each hole and successful execution of that plan.

“I made sure I was in the right spots off the tee so I could get to the green”, explains Stolys. “I might not have been in the fairway all the time, but having the right angles allowed me to hit most of the greens and make good putts for birdie.” Stolys posted impressive rounds of 69 (-3), 71 (-1), for a two-day total of 140 (-4).

Keaton Veillette, 17, from Toronto Ont., finished the competition in second place. Veillette made an eagle on hole 11 during the first round, as well as a total of six birdies after two rounds. Veillette posted rounds of 72 (E), 75 (+3), for a two-day total of 147 (+3).

Junior Girls Division (U19)

The winner of the Junior Girls division was Cynthia Zhao, 16, from Toronto, Ont. It was a nail biting finish as Zhao defeated her closest competitor by just one stroke.

“I just wanted to have fun and play the best that I could”, says Zhao. “My short game was strong today and allowed me to pull ahead of the competition.” Zhao posted rounds of 79 (+7), 77 (+5), for a two-day total of 156.

Just one stroke shy of taking the lead was Emily Zhu, 12, from Richmond Hill, Ont. Zhu opened both rounds with birdies and gave a solid performance over two days of competition. Zhu posted rounds of 78 (+6), 79 (+7), for a two-day total 157.

Juvenile Boys Division (U17)

Jeffrey Fang, 14, from Newmarket, Ont., was the winner of the Juvenile Boys division. Fang came into the competition focused on his own game and to try and go as low as he could.

“My short game was my biggest strength, but not on the last day”, explains Fang. “So I tried to strategically follow my opponents on the second day and not allow them to get too much of a lead on me.” Fang posted rounds of 74 (+2), 78 (+6) for a two-day total of 152 (+8).

Adam Bain, 16, from Stouffville, Ont., took home second place. With a total of six birdies after two days of competition, Bain finished just two strokes behind the lead. Bain posted rounds of 79 (+7), 75 (+3), for a two-day total of 154.

Bantam Boys Division (U15)

It was a good birthday for Michael Katsman, 15, from Richmond Hill, Ont., who took home first place in the Bantam Boys division.

“During the first round, I took certain risks to put myself in a good position”, says Katsman. “On the second day, I thought I’d play everything conservatively and went against taking big risks.” A highlight for Katsman is the eagle he made on hole 18 at the end of round one. Katsman posted rounds of 75 (+3), 74 (+2), for a two-day total of 149 (+5).

Vick Gu, 14, from Markham, Ont., finished the tournament in second place. Gu made an incredible comeback after the second day of the competition, making six birdies on the second day alone, and finishing the day at one under par. Gu posted rounds of 81, 71 (-1), for a two-day total of 152 (+8).

Bantam Girls Division (U15)

Sarah Gallagher, 12, from Burlington, Ont., was the winner of the Bantam Girls division. Gallagher was able to successfully navigate the course, even though it was her first time playing at Bethesda Grange.

“I tried to stay focused and think about every shot”, says Gallagher. Her strategy paid off as she improved by 10 shots after the second day of the competition. Gallagher posted rounds of 90, 80 (+8), for a two-day total of 170.

The second place winner was Ashley Chow, 14, from North York, Ont. Chow improved by six shots on the second day of the competition and posted rounds of 94, 88, for a two-day total of 182.

About 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

Its National Partner, Freedom 55 Financial, which provides financial security advice and planning for Canadians, generously supports the Canadian Junior Golf Association.

For Additional Information:
Melissa Foong
CJGA Communications Assistant
melissa.foong@cjga.com