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Young Bradford golfer shines in Sweden

Andrew Gwilliams performs well with team Canada for the Third Annual Nordic Junior Team Matches
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Nordic Junior Team Matches 2019 - Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Canada. Photo provided
NEWS RELEASE
MAPLE LEAF JUNIOR GOLF TOUR 
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ÖIJAREDSVAGEN, SWEDEN - The third annual Nordic Junior Team Matches between Finland, Sweden, Estonia and Canada were held this past week in Öijaredsvägen, Sweden, at the Öijared Resort. Team Canada players qualified via the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) and were captained by Chris Hood, MJT Tournament Director and PGA of Canada Professional. 

MJT Team Canada was comprised of talented young golfers from across the country: Michael Crisologo (Richmond, BC), Nicolas-Guy Landry (Calgary, AB), Braden O’Grady (Edmonton, AB) and Andrew Gwilliams (Bradford, ON). These four were matched against some of the best talent from the three other Golf Federations taking part in this annual event. 

The three-day competition was highlighted by head-to-head single matches, each day against a different country. The host team from the Swedish Golf Federation successfully defended their title by securing two and half out of a possible three points on their way to a half point victory over the team from Estonia.

During the opening day of competition, the Canadians faced up against a tough Estonian team. Team Estonia was able to secure two of the head-to-head single matches while halving the third, resulting in them earning the full point from Canada.

With first round jitters out of the way, and jet-leg settling down, the Canadians came back to the course confident to take on the team from the Finnish Golf Union. The Canadians would yet again run into tough competition, mustering one win of the four matches and conceding another point in the overall standings to Team Finland. 

The Canadians would still have an opportunity to showcase their talent by beating the hosts and defending champions, the Swedes, who were hungry for the win as well, knowing all three points were very important if they were going to defend their home turf and 2018 title. After putting up a valiant effort, Team Canada came up short after winning one match, tying one match and losing the other two. With a 1-2-1 record against the Swedes, Canada would give up the valuable full point to Sweden. With the full point win, Team Sweden was able to secure the Nordic Junior Team Matches for a second consecutive year.

“I would like to thank Team Sweden and Oijared Resort for being such gracious hosts. It was a great experience for our junior golfers; lessons were learned both on and off the course and the memories will last a lifetime,” Hood said. “I also want to thank the MJT for creating this fantastic event, the parents for allowing the team the opportunity to play and travel to Sweden, and, finally, the players for representing Canada so well and showing such great respect.”

MJT Team Canada was outfitted courtesy of generous support from MJT’s Official International Travel Partner, TuGo. TuGo also supports MJT programs via a partnership where MJT receives 10 per cent back from every travel insurance policy sold.

About TuGo: For over 50 years, TuGo's dedication to travellers, partners and employees, has made it one of Canada's top travel insurance providers and a Canada's Best Managed Company. If you plan on traveling and require insurance, consider using the MJT’s official Travel Insurance Partner, TuGo, by obtaining a quote using this link. All policies secured through our partnership with TuGo will generate a return of 10%, which goes back into MJT programs, such as the Nordic Junior Team Matches.

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. For more information on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, please visit www.maplejt.com

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