CanTour offers four spots in Tour Championship to CJGA players

Oakville, ON(June 28, 2012) - The Canadian Professional Golf Tour is pleased to announce it has agreed to a partnership with the Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) that will see the two organizations work together to introduce junior aged golfers to the professional game.



CJGA members, aged 15-19, will have the opportunity to open qualify to play in the Tour's flagship event, the Canadian Tour Championship. Qualifying is set to take place on August 12, 2012 at Bethesda Grange in Stouffville. The top four qualifiers out of an expected field of 100 plus junior golfers will advance to the Canadian Tour Championship set for the week of August 20, 2012.

Hosted at the historic Scarboro Golf & Country Club, the Canadian Tour Championship, will be an integral component of Scarboro's 100th Anniversary. This marks the first time in the history of the Canadian Tour Championship that junior golfers will have an opportunity to compete along side some of the top up-and-coming professional golfers in the world. In fact since the Canadian Tour's incorporation in 1986 a total of 172 Canadian Tour members have made it to the PGA TOUR and that number continues to grow on yearly basis.

"Providing an opportunity for junior golfers to compete at the one of the highest levels of golf in the world is something we think will play an integral role in the development of golfers in this country," said Canadian Tour Commissioner and CEO Rick Janes. "Any time you can give a young person an experience that will assist in their development not only as a golfer but as a individual we believe it is a win win situation for all involved," added Janes.



This partnership is one of many that has been struck this season between the CJGA and the Canadian Tour. Starting with the ATB Financial Classic, the CJGA conducted a junior qualifier which saw the low boy earn a tournament exemption into the second stop on the Canadian Tour’s Canadian schedule. A second partnership was struck with the Great Waterway Classic, a new event on the Canadian Tour in 2012, where two juniors will earn direct entry into the final qualifying where 28 players will play for four spots.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Canadian Tour and their flagship event (Canadian Tour Championship) to provide junior golfers with this extraordinary opportunity,” said Brad Parkins, COO of the CJGA. “Developing the game and providing a platform for juniors in Canada to reach their goals is a mandate of the CJGA,” added Parkins. “An opportunity such as this is unprecedented and will go a long way in developing Canada’s young golfers both on and off the course.”



CJGA members wishing to qualify for the Canadian Tour Championship will be able to do so through the CJGA website. Qualifying is set to take place at Betheseda Grange, which is part of the Clublink consortium and most recently underwent a million dollar plus renovation.

Located in Stouffville, Betheseda Grange will play host to the CJGA Canadian Tour Championship qualifier on August 12, 2012.