Nagayo Wins Third Consecutive Title in MJT’s Humber College PGM Event at Piper’s Heath
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2019-07-30
By MAPLE LEAF JUNIOR GOLF TOUR
HORNBY, Ontario — The Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour held the MJT Ontario GTA College Preview presented by Humber College PGM at Piper’s Heath Golf Club in Hornby, ON, on July 22 and 23, where a talented field of junior golfers were competing for titles in seven divisions as well as for selection to Team East in the 2019 MJT National Team Challenge presented by Freedom 55 Financial at Royal Niagara Golf Club in Niagara Falls later this summer.
Headlining the results was 15-year-old, Alessandra Christine Nagayo in the MJT Girls 15-18 Division. The Toronto, ON, standout shot 77 and 71 (148) and has really started to find her groove, going three for three in her first three tournaments on the junior tour. “I think the highlight of the tournament was meeting and competing with new MJT people,” said Nagayo. “I really like how [MJT] handles the tournaments and it feels great to win three straight events.” Coming in second place in the division was Oakville, ON’s Maya Cote, 16, who carded scores of 80 and 77 (157).
The MJT U15 Girls title was captured by 13-year-old, Tara O’Connor, of Guelph, ON, who fired rounds of 79 and 76 (155). “I was really happy with the way I played on the final day being under all that pressure,” remarked O’Connor, who secured her first career MJT title. “I dropped a five-foot putt on the 11th hole on the first day and that got me confident in my game.” After her victory at the MJT TaylorMade Junior Championship at Lionhead Golf Club one week ago, Jamie Roslyn Camero, 13, of Dubai, UAE, picked up a runner-up finish this week at Piper’s Heath Golf Club with scores of 78 and 83 (161).
Jeremiah Walker, 12, of Burlington, ON, shot rounds of 77 and 72 (149) to win the MJT Peewee Boys Division in convincing fashion. Playing in his first junior tour event of the 2019 season, Walker made five birdies throughout the tournament and capped off his performance with an eagle on the 18th hole of the second day. Jager Pain, 11, of Woodbridge, ON, fired rounds of 83 and 74 (157) to finish in second place.
An exciting contest took place in the MJT Bantam Boys Division between 14-year-old, Andreas Diogenous, of Cambridge, ON, and 14-year-old, Rhys LePoidevin-Jolly, of Etobicoke, ON. With both players tied after the first day, Diogenous (77, 73 - 150) got off to an even-par front nine start on the second and took it home from there. “I feel great about winning my division,” commented Diogenous. “The golf course was in great shape both days and it was a fun tournament.” LePoidevin-Jolly fired a 77 and 73 (154) to finish second, four shots behind.
Grabbing a three-shot victory in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division was Mississauga, ON-resident, Garvey Knapp, 15. Knapp, who shot 76 and 78 (154), got off to a one-under par start on the front nine of his first round, and kept it going all the way to the end. “I was happy with the way I started with those three birdies,” said Knapp. “Especially after making bogey on the first hole, I needed those.” Matthew Santini, 15, of Mississauga, finished second with scores of 78 and 79 (157).
Two shots separated first and second place in the MJT Junior Boys Division. 17-year-old, Cade Preston, of Barrie, ON, fired 74 and 76 (150) to narrowly beat out 17-year-old, Zachary Hart (78, 74 - 152), of New Hamburg, ON. Preston stated, “The tournament had a great field with strong players and after a poor performance at my last tournament, it feels great to get the win here.”
The event’s Collegiate division was won by Oakville’s Rogan Doyle, 19, with scores of 84 and 78 (162). After a difficult start to the first round, Doyle capped off his first day with an impressive back nine making three birdies and shooting even par, beating out Ryan Sherwood, 19, of Burlington, ON, for the title. Attributing his performance to his putting, Doyle mentioned, “I was really able to hold my composure and make a few putts, especially at the end to close it out.”
For PLYR Long Drive, PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin and the MJT Booster Juice Comeback Award winners, please visit the highlights page for the tournament here. Selections to the team will be announced once all qualifying has completed.
The next junior tour event in Ontario is the MJT Big Max Series at Carlisle Golf and Country Club in Carlisle on July 27 and 28. For more information, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.
About Humber College PGM Program
Humber College’s Business Administration - Professional Golf Management program is a Recognized PGA of Canada program. Gain a business education, develop your golf game, and embark on a career you will love. Gain valuable experience and earn income during our two 6-month paid co-op terms. Our on-campus Golf Lab is a world-class golf performance training facility run by PGA Professionals. Our Golf Lab is equipped with three Simulator Rooms, a Golf Retail Shop, Golf Club Workshop, and 2000 square feet of putting surface. Our students have the opportunity to play on the Humber Hawks varsity golf team, the most decorated golf team in Canada. For more information please visit our website at business.humber.ca/golf.
About the MJT
The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour presented by Boston Pizza is Canada’s number one-played Junior Golf Tour as well as the only national junior tour run exclusively by PGA of Canada Professionals and the ‘Road to College Golf’ in Canada. The organization is presented nationally by Boston Pizza and supported by valued Premier, Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts close to 80 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7-12 year olds, the Collegiate Tour for 19-23 year olds, and multi-day events for competitive players aged 11 to 18 which are also qualifiers for international competitions. The program offers annual awards, scholarships, and frequent player incentives to help reward player's performance and participation throughout each season. MJT alumni include many Professional Tour players and PGA of Canada Professionals, as well as Canadian Amateur, National and Provincial Junior Champions. The MJT aims to develop champions, in golf and in life, promoting the game from grassroots through to provincial, national, university and professional level. See www.maplejt.com.