13-Under-Par Girls Score Sets Record on MJT
For Immediate Release
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13-Under-Par Girls Score Sets Record on MJT; Girls Division Steals Headlines at top-ranked Event
Vancouver, B.C. (March 17, 2015) – A full field of junior golfers played through three days of intermittently decent weather during the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s (MJT) Season Opener at University Golf Club and The Vancouver Golf Club in the lower mainland of British Columbia, which ran on March 14th, 15th and 16th. Players were competing for division titles in six age divisions on the Boston Pizza-sponsored program.
The Girls division stole the headlines for several reasons: there was a large number of girls participating, which is good news for the future of the game; this was the first MJT tournament officially featuring the new Girls 14 and under division; a hole-in-one was recorded on the 7th hole at University Golf Club during round one by Kitty Zhang, 14, of Vancouver; and there were some incredible scores posted with some sub-par rounds in the 60’s.
The main event, however, was the MJT record-setting 13-under-par score by newcomer, Vivian Lee of the Hong Kong Golf Association, aged 15, who blitzed her way around the 86-year-old University Golf Club in Vancouver with a scorching 11-under-par (68-65) and then closed with a 71 on Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam to win the MJT Girls 15-19 Division by 12 strokes with her total of 204. “I stayed calm, my irons were good, everything was good,” said Lee, who also graciously acknowledged her fellow competitors. “I feel so happy and excited.”
The MJT Girls 14 and under winner was Kathrine Chan, 14, of Richmond, BC, who fired rounds of 75, 74, 76 (225) to win by 10 strokes. “Support from my mom and friends really helped me a lot for this 54 hole tournament,” said Chan at the end of the three days. “I feel very grateful to have my division title – this gave me a good experience and it will help me a lot throughout my golf career.”
Another MJT newcomer, Ilirian Zalli of Vancouver, ran away with the new MJT Peewee Boys title, winning by an incredible 30 strokes after the 12-year-old shot stellar rounds of 70, 72, 70 (212) for a four-under-par total score. “My opponents were all incredibly skilled and talented and I was overjoyed to be given the opportunity to compete and play with them over the last three days. I knew that if I focused on my own game and on what I can control, I would be successful, win or lose,” Zalli said, wise beyond his years.
It was a close race in the MJT Bantam Boys 13-14 division where Henry Lei, 14, of Surrey, BC, won by two strokes with solid scores of 75, 80, 76 (231). Lei stated that his personal highlight was when he made the last putt of 15 feet on the 18th hole on Monday. “I am really happy to win because my hard work in the winter has paid off.”
Khan Lee, 15, of Surrey, edged past Keenan Flemming of Sechelt, BC, to take the MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 title after shooting fine scores of 73, 72, 73 (218). “My tee shots were fantastic – they went straight and far,” said Khan, who added that the competition did not worry him as he just focused on his own game. “It feels great to win my first MJT Season Opener and my first 15-16 division.”
A final round of 70 pushed Zaahidali (Ziggy) Nathu, 17, of Richmond, into top spot in the MJT Junior Boys 17-19 division (78, 74, 70=222) with a five stroke winning margin. “I just kept playing and hitting the ball well and I was able to pull ahead,” he summed up, adding that making birdie on 18 to shoot 70 in the last round was his highlight.
The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in British Columbia is the MJT / IMG Academy Junior Worlds Qualifier at Meadow Gardens Golf Club in Pitt Meadows on March 28th and 29th. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.
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 generously supported by Boston Pizza and Premier Partners Cleveland Golf, Srixon, Ford, Mr. Lube, Golf Town and Travel Underwriters, in addition to valued Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts more than 70 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for players 12 and under, and multi-day events for competitive players which also qualify juniors 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.
MEDIA CONTACT: Elaine Denton, MJT edenton@maplejt.com 1-877-859-GOLF www.maplejt.com