August 14, 2006

Barrie, Ont. - Despite threatening weather conditions, the storms held off for the first round of the Canadian Junior Golf Association’s (CJGA) Mizuno CJGA National Golf Championship presented by HSBC Bank Canada at National Pines Golf Club in Barrie, Ont.  After capturing the Boys 14 – 16 Division title in 2005, young standout Andrew Funk, 17, of Edmonton, Alta. fired the low round of the day, a one-under par 71, to open up a three-stroke lead in the Boys 17-19 Division.

“I started with a birdie and ended with a birdie,” said Funk who took a page from Tiger and kept the driver in the bag on the shotmakers course. “I hit my 3 wood off the tee to keep the ball in play. Tomorrow I’m going to do the same.” Timothy Lew, 18, of Courtice, Ont., is following closely behind after opening with a 74 (+2) while defending champion Ryan Corbin, 18, of Niagara Falls, Ont. and Ryan Putnam, 17, of Georgetown, Ont. both posted opening round scores of 75 (+3).

The difficult layout at National Pines proved to be a tough test for competitors in the Boys 14 – 16 Division.  Currently, two junior golfers are tied atop the leaderboard as Burlington, Ontario’s Andrew Shier, 16, and Paul Gallo, 16, of Thornhill, Ont. turned in matching scores of 78 (+6). “I didn’t leave myself in any bad spots” said Shier. “I didn’t have any blow-up holes; it was just par, par, bogey, par. I two-putted my way around the course.”  Michael Gligic, 16, of Burlington, Ont. sits in a three-way tie for third at 80 (+8) with Jed Walmsley, 16 of Cheltenham, Ont. and Stuart Pulkinen, 16, of Toronto.

Rebecca Lee-Bentham looks poised to unseat defending champion Brittany Henderson in a very competitive Girls Division.  The 14-year-old Richmond Hill, Ont. resident opened with a 75 (+3) to take a five-stroke lead in the division.  “The competition was tough,” said Lee-Bentham. “But I putted well and kept the ball out of trouble.”  Jane Jhung, 17, of North York, Ont. carded an 80 (+8) to sit in second spot while CJGA Team Canada members Lauren Bowerman-Ritchie, 17, of Bowmanville, Ont. and Jacqueline Yanch, 14, of Barrie, Ont. are currently tied for third after posting identical rounds of 81 (+9).  Henderson, 15, of Smiths Falls, Ont. carded an 82 (+10).

It’s a closely contested Boys 13 & Under Division with seven competitors within four shots of the lead.  Etobicoke, Ontario’s Lucas Kim, 12, leads after opening with a 79. “I had some lucky breaks,” said Kim. “I lost my focus on the fifth hole but I kept going.”  CJGA Team Canada member Kelvin Ho, 13, of Richmond Hill, Ont. is currently second after posting an 80 (+8) while Richard Jung, 13, of North York, Ont., Gajan Sivabalasingham, 12, of Markham, Ont. and Wilson Bateman, 12, of Edmonton, Alta. are currently tied for third at 81 (+9).

The tee-times for the second round will get underway at 7:30 a.m.  A cut will be made following tomorrow’s round in all age divisions.
About Mizuno
Since its inception in 1906, Mizuno has established itself as one of the leading manufacturers and innovators in the golf industry.  Its popular line of MP irons has become the club of choice for a number of top PGA Professionals.  Mizuno offers golfers of all skill levels the proper equipment to best suit their game.  Mizuno is a strong supporter of golf at the grassroots level and a proud sponsor of the Canadian Junior Golf Association and the Mizuno North America Cup and Mizuno All-Canadian Award.  For information on Mizuno and its products 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 our National Founding Partner, HSBC Bank Canada.

For Additional Information:
Natalie Kalata
Communications Assistant
Canadian Junior Golf Association
1.877.508.1069 Ext. 235
natalie.kalata @cjga.com

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