June 06 2005

CONESTOGA, ONT- It was a memorable day for the Foster family of Concord, Ont., as the brother-sister duo of John and Christina both won their age categories at the U.S. Kids World Golf Championships Qualifier at the Conestoga Golf Club in Conestoga, Ont. One of the premiere events on the Canadian Junior Golf Association's Junior Linkster Tour was held last Sunday, June 5, with the low scorers for each year of the golfers aged 7-12 (one for boys and one for girls) earning the chance to play in the U.S. Kids tournament that will be held July 27-30 in Williamsburg, Virginia. This tournament will feature over 1,000 golfers from around the globe and will be televised across the
United States.

Twelve-year-old John Foster shot an incredible even-par 71, although that was not enough on its own to secure the Boys 11-12 Division title, as 11-year-old Paolo Addona of Anjou, Que., equaled the feat. On to a playoff they went, matching pars on the first hole, until Foster had a tough putt for the victory on the second hole. "I had a pretty slippery down-hiller - I tried to just not put it too far past," Foster said of the putt that he ended up holing. Adonna still won a spot in the U.S. tourney, outclassing his fellow 11-year-olds by 17 strokes. For Foster, there was one thing in particular he's awaiting in Williamsburg: "I look forward to my dad caddying for me, I always like that." Elliott Whitley, 12, of Hamilton, Ont. grabbed third spot in the category with a 78.

Nine-year-old Christina Foster followed in her brother's footsteps as she too won herself a trip to Virginia, along with the Girls 9-10 Division thanks to her 77. A key and memorable shot for her was on the sixth hole, "I hit my 8-iron to a few inches away from the hole from about 105 yards," she said. Asked if she had any sort of goals in mind for the U.S. Kids Championships, she replied, "I wanna win!" She will be joined there by Brogan McKinnon, who finished second in the division and was the top 10-year-old girl. Mena Maimone, 9, of Loretto, Ont., was third.

Kevin Kwon took the Boys 9-10 Division with a birdie on the first playoff hole to win over Wade Chen, 10, of Scarborough, Ont. "I didn't feel a lot of pressure (going into the playoff). I tried not to take it too seriously," the Thornhill, Ont., native said. He then went on to sink a 6-foot putt on a Par 5 after he put his approach shot from 90 yards away landed him there. "It felt really good. It seemed like my parents were even happier than I was." The players had been tied after shooting identical 80s, while John Nalbandian, 10, of Brampton, Ont., finished in third, just two shots back. Hanish Nagrani of Welland, Ont. took fourth and won a trip to the U.S. Kids as the top nine-year-old.

When told of his victory in the Boys 8 and Under Division, a big smile came across the face of Craig Stefureak of Caledonia, Ont. Sterureak managed to qualify for the U.S. Kids Championships, like he did last year, thanks to his 1-under 34 score on the Moors nine-hole course, which he credited mostly to his exceptional short game. Stefureak said that last year's U.S. Kids tournament was awesome, and that what he really liked about it was the eighth hole, because of great shots in his final two rounds. One came an inch away and the other hit the pin, he recalled. Lucas Lukovic, 8, of Bolton, Ont., was second, while Joey Hetherman, 8, of Burlington, Ont., finished third. Alex Matheson was invited to the U.S. Kids event as a seven-year-old participant.

Augusta James, 12, of Shelburne, Ont. won her second event of the year on the Junior Linkster Tour, although Vivian Tsui, 11, of Markham, Ont., made it close as she finished only one stroke behind James's 86 in the Girls 11-12 Division. The win got her a second trip to the U.S. Kids World Golf Championships in as many years, while Tsui will also make the trip as the top 11-year-old. Stephanie Tucker, 11, of Orangeville, Ont., was third in the division.

Eight-year-old Claire Hernandez, of Bolton, Ont. won the Girls 8 and Under Division with an impressive 42 nine-hole score and qualified for the U.S. Kids Championships, thanks to strong putting and great drives. She said she was looking forward to just having fun there. Seven-year-old Sonia Nagindas of Aurora, Ont., finished just behind her and will also compete in the event.

About U.S. Kids Golf
U.S. Kids golf is well known for its line of custom designed equipment for kids 12 and under. U.S. Kids is the leader for providing juniors 12 and under with the proper fitted clubs, giving them the best chance to develop their skills. U.S. Kids golf strongly supports the growth of golf in Canada and Worldwide. U.S Kids Golf is the title sponsor for the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, Eastern & Western Canadian Qualifier.

About the CJGA:
As the official junior golf association in Canada, the Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) is dedicated to providing Canada's junior golfers with the necessary skills and knowledge required to lay a foundation for a future in the game. Through its six stage competitive development program, the CJGA introduces the game to juniors as young as five and offers competitive multi-day events for the more advanced golfer. In 2005, the CJGA will conduct over 90 tournaments across Canada. Included in the tournament schedule is a number of qualifying events for international tournaments initiated to give juniors the chance to represent their country, to test their skills against the rest of the world and to give them the opportunity to gain exposure to college coaches. The CJGA is a not-for-profit Canadian Registered Athletic Association with Revenue Canada.

For Additional Information:
Dan Plouffe
Communications Assistant
Canadian Junior Golf Association
1-877-508-1069
dan.plouffe@cjga.com