August 15, 2006

Barrie, Ont. - Gusting winds made for tricky conditions for competitors at the second round of the Mizuno CJGA National Golf Championship presented by HSBC Bank Canada on Tuesday at National Pines Golf Club.  Edmonton’s Andrew Funk, 17, continues to lead the way in the Boys 17 – 19 Division by a very narrow margin as the field was cut down to 54 following the round.

Funk slipped slightly from his first round score of 71 (-1) as he posted a 76 (+4) on Tuesday to hold a one-stroke lead in the division ahead of Courtice, Ont. native Tim Lew, 18.  “I wasn’t comfortable around the greens today,” said Funk. “I played conservatively and it cost me. Tomorrow I’m going to be really aggressive.” Lew fired a division low 74 (+2) to narrow the gap. Defending champion Ryan Corbin, 18, of Niagara Falls, Ont. looks poised to make some noise on moving day tomorrow after posting a 76 (+4).  He sits at 151.

In the Boys 14-16 Division, pre-tournament favourite, Michael Gligic, 16, of Burlington, Ont. came back from a disappointing opening round to fire an impressive 75 (+3) today to grab the lead in the flight with a 155 total.  “I putted really well today and that was the difference,” said Gligic. “The competition is one of the best fields I’ve competed in so far.” Following closely at 156 (83-73) is Toronto, Ont. resident, Sebastian Szirmak, 16 who fired the low round of the day. Ricky Watson, 16, from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. and Justin Shin, 14, of Richmond Hill, Ont. are tied for third at 161.

Defending champion Brittany Henderson, 15, of Smiths Falls, Ont. also rebounded from a lacklustre opening round to post a 75 (+3) and grab a share of the lead in the Girls Division with first round leader Rebecca Lee-Bentham, 14, of Richmond Hill.  Both are at 157. CJGA Team Canada member Lauren Bowerman-Ritchie, 17, of Bowmanville, Ont. shaved three strokes off her first round score, posting a 78, to sit two-strokes back at 159.

Twelve-year-old Lucas Kim, of Etobicoke, Ont. held on to his first round lead after firing his second round of 79 in the Boys 13 & Under Division. “I didn’t play my best today,” admitted Kim. “But I’m going to try to hit more fairways and greens tomorrow.” CJGA National Match Play champion, Richard Jung, 13, of North York, Ont. carded a 78 to sit one shot back of Kim while CJGA Team Canada Member Kelvin Ho, 13, of Richmond Hill, Ont. and Burlington’s Kristopher Kowalchuk, 12 are currently tied for third at 167.

Tee-time for the third round of the Mizuno CJGA National Golf Championship will begin at 7:50 a.m. from the first tee.

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