Team England Wins Canadian International Junior Challenge By One Shot Over Canada

It Was Team England Coming From Behind To Defeat Team Canada By One Shot At The CIJC Challenge At Wildfire GC In Ontario - Image Courtesy CJGA

For Immediate Release

Douro-Dummer, Ont. (September 16, 2016) - Round three of the Canadian International Junior Challenge (CIJC) at Wildfire Golf Club, was nothing short of dramatic. The day started off bitterly cold, but by mid morning junior golfers were playing in nearly perfect conditions, with not a cloud in sight.

While Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) Team Canada led the pack for the majority of the tournament, it was not enough to claim the CIJC title. That honour went to the boys from Team England, who finished strong on the back nine to beat CJGA Team Canada by one stroke.

Team England had a lot of ground to make up if they wanted to take first place away from CJGA Team Canada. "We knew we were one shot behind Canada, but we played it on a strictly as we see it basis", said Team England Manager, Alan Covey.

"Even though we started badly, we came back and never stopped believing we could do it. We worked hard and these boys have been absolutely focused all week and I'm very proud of my team." Additionally, Covey commended the boys from CJGA Team Canada for being great opponents. "Canada pushed us all the way, but thankfully we just came out on top."

In addition to awarding the winning team, the CIJC also gives recognition to the lowest scoring individual of the tournament. That honour went to Joey Vrzich of Team USA, who beat Ontario's Thomas Giroux of CJGA Team Canada in an intense playoff on the 18th hole.

Both boys finished at even par with a three-day total of 216. When asked about his playoff strategy, Vrzich said, "I decided to club down, thinking of my adrenaline. I used a 5 wood and pushed it a little bit. I flew the ball 250 to the back of the green and had an easy up and down for birdie."

image courtesy cjga

Team Canada For The CIJC Challenge From L-R: Keaton Gudz, Ty Celone, Thomas Giroux And Max Sekulic

Victoria, BC's Keaton Gudz was alone in 4th place just 3 shots back of the leaders with Canada's other two team members, Alberta's Max Sekulic and Ontario's Ty Celone finishing T9 and 12th respectively.

Throughout the week, the battle for first place between CJGA Team Canada and Team England was incredibly tight. Unfortunately for teams from Colombia, Mexico and Costa Rica, Canada and England were too far ahead to catch. However, Alejandro Santibanes from Team Mexico finished in the top 10, tying for 5th place with both Danny Daniels and Kristian Donaldson of Team England, with a three-day total of 220 (+4).

After three days of competition, the team totals were as follows: Team England captures the CIJC title with a total of 652, as CJGA Team Canada falls just one stroke behind in second place with 653. Team USA came in third place at 665, while Team Colombia took back fourth place from Team Mexico, with a total of 690.

Team Mexico fell to fifth place, just one stroke behind Team Colombia at 691, as Costa Rica rounded out the field with a total of 710. While trophies were handed out to the winners, the ultimate prize remains to be new friendships and moments shared both on and off the golf course.

For complete final scoring CLICK HERE.

About the Canadian International Junior Challenge
The Canadian International Junior Challenge is one of the marquee events conducted by the Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) and is the only multi-team international junior golf championship conducted in Canada. This highly recognized event was developed to provide elite junior golfers around the world the opportunity to compete in an international ranked event while experiencing Canadian culture in one of Canada's finest regions. The event also promotes the building of international relations between juniors and golfing federations.

About Nike Golf Canada
Based in Thornhill, Ontario, Nike Golf Canada markets, sells and distributes industry leading Nike Golf golf equipment, apparel, balls, footwear, bags and accessories throughout Canada. Nike Golf 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. For more information on Nike Golf Canada, visit www.nikegolf.ca.

About the Canadian Junior Golf Association
The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) is a "registered Canadian amateur athletic association" (RCAAA) not-for-profit registered federally with Revenue Canada. The 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 Partner, Freedom 55 Financial, which provides financial security advice and planning for Canadians.