Kowalchuk Takes Over Boys 13 & Under Division at Nike Golf Junior Championship

August 22, 2006

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Brampton, Ont. - Tuesday proved to be another perfect day for golf as 41 of Canada’s best juniors took to the links at Lionhead Golf & Country Club in Brampton, Ont. for the second round of the Canadian Junior Golf Association’s (CJGA) Nike Golf Junior Championship. Boys 13 & Under competitor Kristopher Kowalchuk made the biggest jump in the standings on day two, carding the low score of the tournament to take over the division lead.

Kowalchuk, 12, of Burlington, Ont. equaled his career-best round on Tuesday, firing a 70 (-2), to take a commanding eight-stroke lead over his nearest competitor in the Boys 13 & Under Division.  Kowalchuk credits a putting tip from his father as a major reason for his success on the day. “My putting just clicked today,” said Kowalchuk. “For tomorrow, I have to stay focused because it’s not done yet. I think the key is to just relax and have fun.” First round leader, Markham, Ont. resident Gajan Sivabalasingham, 12, struggled for most of the second round, and narrowly holds down second place, with last week’s national stroke play champion, Lucas Kim, 12, of Etobicoke, Ont. currently in third.

The Boys 17-19 Division standings remain unchanged after the second round, with Courtice, Ontario’s Timothy Lew, 18, continuing to lead.  Lew fired a second straight round of 73 (+1) to extend his advantage to seven shots over Ryan Corbin, 18, of Niagara Falls, Ont. and eight better than Barrie, Ont. native Greg Board, 18. “The whole group was pretty shaky to start, but a championship event like this is bound to bring nerves,” said Lew. “To bring it back on a course with this degree of difficulty is a testament to good character.”

After beginning the day in a tie for first in the Boys 14-16 Division, Michael Gligic, 16, of Burlington will have a one-stroke lead heading into Wednesday’s final round. Gligic’s second consecutive round of 73 was one better than Brett Cairns, 16, of Courtland, Ont., who finished the round with a 74 and sits in second place. “I made some clutch putts for par,” said Gligic. “My long putts weren’t that great, but it left me with a lot of short putts.” A consistent round of 77 for Calgary, Alta. resident Scott Lowe, 14, has moved him up into third place heading into Wednesday’s third round. 

Despite a number of strong rounds by the majority of the competitors in her division, Brittany Henderson, 14, of Smiths Falls, Ont. extended her lead in the Girls Divison by firing a one-under par 71. “I played pretty well. I was consistent and made some putts,” said Henderson. “Hopefully I can come out tomorrow and have a good round.” 15-year-old Laura Hildebrandt, of Ancaster, Ont. is doing her best to stay close, finishing today’s round with a 74 to sit five shots back, while a 74 for Buz Bowerman-Ritchie, 16, of Bowmanville, Ont. has moved her up to third place.

Tee-times for Wednesday will get underway at 6:40 a.m. Tee-times are available at www.cjga.comTee-times will run to 8:46 a.m. 

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:
Jason Marchand
Communications Assistant
Canadian Junior Golf Association
1.877.508.1069 Ext. 235
jason.marchand@cjga.com