Barrie, Ont. (August 20, 2007) – The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) held the first round of its annual Mizuno CJGA National Golf Championship presented by HSBC Bank Canada on Monday as unseasonably cool and wet conditions greeted junior golfers.  A familiar face sits atop the leaderboard in the Boys 14 – 16 Division as Richard Jung posted the low score for the day at 73 (+1).

It’s shaping up to be a close race in the division as Richard Jung, 14, of North York, Ont. managed to take the lead, recording the overall tournament low of 73 (+1). “I putted very well throughout the round,” said Jung. “I plan to keep on playing my best the rest of the week.” One-stroke separates Jung from Russell Budd, 16, of Toronto, Ont. while Burlington, Ont. residents Brad Altenhoff, 16, and Barrett McCarthy, 15, are tied at 75 (+3). Of note, Ryan Seager, of Unionville, Ont., recorded a hole in one on the 8th – one of two on the day on the hole.

2005 Mizuno CJGA National Golf Championship winner, Ryan Corbin, 19, of Niagara Falls, Ont., currently leads the Boys 17-19 Division after posting a first round of 74 (+2). “The wet and windy weather made it difficult,” admitted Corbin. “I just have to keep my short game sharp and stay consistent.” Another impressive performance came courtesy of Travis Kemp, 17, of Lethbridge, Alta.  Kemp carded a strong round of 76 (+4), which also included the second hole-in-one on the 8th hole. Oshawa, Ontario’s Jay Finley, 17, posted 77 (+5) to sit in third.

Lucas Kim, 13, of Toronto, Ont. is well on his way to defending his 2006 National Championship title in the Boys 13 & Under Division after posting 77 (+5) in the first round. Kim currently leads the 2007 CJGA season with six victories to his credit, and is hoping for a seventh after this event. “With the course being so wet I didn’t strike the ball that well,” explained Kim. “My plan is to improve my short game in the coming rounds.” CJGA Team Canada member Kristopher Kowalchuk, 13, of Burlington, Ont., held on to second place with a round of 78 (+6). In third place, carding 80 (+8), was 13 year-old Turner Southey-Gordon, of Toronto, Ont.

International competitor Martine De Gannes, 17, of Blue Range, Trinidad topped the leaderboard in the Girls Division with an impressive round of 74 (+2). De Gannes, who competed in the recent Stephen Ames Cup, displayed strong putting, which allowed her to post four birdies on the day. “The course was playing very well,” said De Gannes. “Tomorrow I’m just going to play my own game and take things shot by shot.”  Natalia Ghilzon, 17, of Windsor, Ont., is two shots back at 76 (+4) while Hayley Brown, 15, of Newmarket, Ont. is currently third at 77 (+5).  Two-time defending champion, Brittany Henderson, 16, of Smith Falls, Ont. is four strokes back as she looks to continue her CJGA unbeaten streak.

Tee-times for the event will get underway at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. As always, spectators are welcome to attend.

About Mizuno
Mizuno has built a reputation for producing the best forged irons in the industry. Mizuno's popular line of MP irons has become the choice of many top players in golf and the PGA Tour. Mizuno has established a reputation in the game improvement area with the success of the MX series of irons. The company is also very well known for their wedges, woods, putters, bags and accessories.  For additional information please visit www.mizunocda.com.

About the CJGA
Registered federally as a not-for-profit association, 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 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 Founding Partners, HSBC Bank Canada and LEXUS.

For Additional Information:
Carolyn Arbuckle
Communications Assistant
Canadian Junior Golf Association
1.877.508.1069 Ext. 228
carolyn.arbuckle@cjga.com

Rick Betts
Director, Media Relations and Communications
Canadian Junior Golf Association
1.877.508.1069 Ext. 233
rick.betts@cjga.com