CJGA Team Canada Named for Mizuno North America Cup

MARKHAM, ON (June 24, 2008) – After a convincing win on home soil in 2007, the Canadian Junior Golf Association’s (CJGA) Team Canada will look to defend its Mizuno North America Cup title in Bluffton, S.C. from July 8th to 10th at Colleton River Plantation Golf Club.  14 of Canada’s top junior golfers will compete over three days within a Ryder Cup format against the International Junior Golf Tour’s (IJGT) Team USA.

CJGA TEAM CANADA

Girls 11-19 Division
Danielle Pinder, Saskatoon, SK
Meagan Pototschnik, Stratford, ON

Boys 13 & Under
Aaron Crawford, Calgary, AB
Conley Kriegler, Saskatoon, SK
Patrick Murphy, Crossfield, AB
Tae Won Kim, Richmond Hill, ON

Boys 14-16 Division
Nathaniel Belanger, Laval, QC
Jesse Gibson, Saskatoon, SK
Justin Richard, Dieppe, NB
Ryan Were, Redcliff, AB

Boys 17-19 Division
Stéphane Boudreau, Dieppe, NB
Troy Bulmer, Saskatoon, SK
David Olejnik, Burlington, ON
Martin Piché, Boucherville, QC

The Mizuno North America Cup, now in its 6th year, has quickly grown into one of the most popular junior golf events in North America due to its unique Ryder Cup format and the presence of some of the top junior golfers from both countries.  CJGA Team Canada was victorious for the first time on home soil in 2007, dispatching a strong American side by a final score of 16 – 12.  The overall series now stands at 3-2 in favour of IJGT Team USA.  All CJGA Team Canada members qualified through a designated Mizuno North America Cup Qualifier on the national CJGA Junior Tour schedule (ages 11-19).

Prior to departing for South Carolina, members of CJGA Team Canada will take part in a three-day elite training camp (July 3rd to 5th) at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. conducted by CJGA Regional Coach, Sean Casey and his qualified staff of CPGA Professionals at the Clublink Academy.  The camp will focus on mental preparation and match play tactics.

Teams will compete in fourball, foursome, and singles matches over three days in Bluffton with a single point being awarded for each match.  The first team to reach 14 ½ points will be declared the winner.

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.

ABOUT THE IJGT
The mission of the International Junior Golf Tour is to provide exceptional junior golfers with the opportunity to develop and showcase their competitive skills while setting high standards to preserve the traditions and integrity of the game.  Nearly 2000 junior golfers compete on the IJGT representing 45 states and over 30 countries. Founded in 1995 for junior golfers ages 11-19 the IJGT helps to promote aspiring collegiate players the opportunity to compete in a series of events against the highest quality of U.S. and international competition all while being ranked nationaly by Junior Golf Scoreboard and Golfweek. For more information please visit www.ijgt.com.

For Additional Information:
Rick Betts
Director, Media Relations and Communications
Canadian Junior Golf Association
Work: 1.877.508.1069 Ext. 233
Cell: 416.708.1482
rick.betts@cjga.com