Gligic and Henderson Capture Second Consecutive National Championship Titles

August 23, 2006

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Brampton, Ont. - A third straight day of ideal scoring conditions at Lionhead Golf & Country Club was the setting for the final round of the Canadian Junior Golf Association’s (CJGA) Nike Golf Junior Championship. Winners were crowned in all age divisions including a second straight national championship title for Michael Gligic and Brittany Henderson.

Gligic, 16, battled Courtland, Ont. resident Brett Cairns, 16, over the final 18 holes as both posted a final round 78 (+6). Gligic was victorious by a single stroke with a 224 total (+8). “I didn’t putt as well as the last two days,” said Gligic, a CJGA Team Canada member. “I started getting nervous on the back nine but I managed to keep it together.” Barrett McCarthy, 15, of Oakvile, Ont. grabbed third spot in the division at 233 (+17).

It was business as usual for Smiths Falls, Ontario’s Brittany Henderson, 15. Henderson became the first two-time winner of the Nike Golf Junior Championship, closing with a 76 for a 224 total (+8) and a seven stroke win over Laura Hildebrandt, 15, of Ancaster, Ont. “It was a really great event,” said Henderson. “Other than missing a couple of key putts, I played really well.” Juanita Rico, 17, of Calgary, Alta. grabbed third spot in the division after closing with a division low 74 on Wednesday.

Courtice, Ont. resident Tim Lew, 18, led wire to wire in earning his first national championship title with the CJGA. After posting two rounds of 73 heading into Wednesday, Lew held on with a 79 (+7) to collect the division title. “It wasn’t pretty today. Definitely some final round jitters,” admitted Lew. “It feels good to get the win. I was starting to doubt myself so a win helps that.” Lew was never challenged for the lead on the day, finishing eight strokes ahead of Campbellville, Ont. resident and CJGA Team Canada member Ryan Corbin, 18, and eleven strokes ahead Scott Ray, 17, of Roslin, Ont.
 
Being one of the youngest competitors in the field didn’t faze Kristopher Kowalchuk, 12, of Burlington, Ont. as the young standout followed his tournament low 70 (-2) on Tuesday with a final round 76 (+4) and a convincing ten-shot victory in the Boys 13 & Under Division. “I feel pretty happy that my first win of the year is the Nike Golf Junior Championship,” he said. “Everything was solid this week and I didn’t miss many short putts today.” Gajan Sivabalasingham, 12, of Markham, Ont. finished second in the division at 237 while Lucas Kim, 12, of Etobicoke, Ont. finished third.

About Nike Golf Canada
Nike Golf Canada is passionately dedicated to honouring and respecting the traditions and heritage of the game, and to providing committed golfers with the absolute best equipment in the game in every product category. Nike Golf equipment can be found in the bag of a number of elite touring professionals including 2006 Tournament Players Champion Stephen Ames of Calgary, Alta. The top Canadian money winner on the PGA Tour in 2004 will host the second annual Stephen Ames Cup in Moka, Trinidad in 2006.

For more information on Nike Golf Canada, visit our Web site at www.nikegolf.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:
Rick Betts
Director, Media Relations and Communications
Canadian Junior Golf Association
Office: 1.877.508.1069 Ext. 233
Cell: 416.708.1482
Email: rick.betts@cjga.com