Zhang, 11, fires six birdies to win MJT Mini Tour title at Tsawwassen Springs
Tsawwassen, BC – (July 17, 2020) – The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Mini Tour was back at it in BC after a stop in Cultus Lake five days prior, making its way to Tsawwassen for the MJT Mini Tour at Tsawwassen Springs on July 16. Junior golfers between the ages of 6 and 12 competed for titles in six divisions and players got the opportunity to compete for spots in the coveted MJT Mini Tour National Championship that will take place back at Tsawwassen Springs on August 20 and 21.
Hovering around the top of the leaderboard once again was 11-year old Alex Zhang, of Richmond, BC. Zhang, who has had three runner-up finishes in the first four BC Mini Tour events this season, finally broke through with a spectacular round of 66 (-4) at Tsawwassen Springs, making six birdies to win the MJT Boys 11-12 Division. “It feels great to defend my title,” commented Zhang, who drew inspiration from his win last year. “I lost in a playoff in the first two mini tour events, but I am proud to win this one.”
Nine-year old Matthew Cui, of Burnaby, BC, and nine-year old Brayden Ko, of Richmond both fired scores of 75 to tie for the win in the MJT Boys 9-10 Division. Cui had a great start to his round making an opening hole birdie, but Ko swung back playing his back nine at even par to close the gap. Both players, who have been consistently near the top of the MJT leaderboards, will be looking to continue their progression throughout the 2020 MJT BC Mini Tour circuit.
The MJT Boys 8U Division saw eight-year old Rickie Wang, of West Vancouver, BC, fire a round of 74 to win his second MJT Mini Tour event in as many starts. A rollercoaster of a scorecard, Wang’s round saw many highs and lows including making birdie on the first hole, a triple bogey on his 14th hole, and finishing his round with an eagle on the 18th hole. “I enjoyed the ups and downs,” commented Wang. “I feel very proud of myself for winning.”
Picking up her third MJT Mini Tour win in as many starts was Surrey, BC-golfer Ha Young Chang in the MJT Girls 11-12 Division. The 12-year old champion carded a 74 at Tsawwassen Springs to win the division by six shots. “I want to say that my short game was the strongest part of my game,” commented Chang. “I had no idea I had won, but it always feels great to win an [MJT event].”
Inching her way to victory was 10-year old Karrisa Zhao, of West Vancouver, in the MJT Girls 9-10 Division. Zhao recorded a score of 83 playing her last three holes even par and coming back to win by a single shot. “I play these events for the [competition] experience,” commented Zhao when asked what she took away from the event. “I feel very happy and proud to win my first MJT Mini Tour [event].” Nine-year old Kathleen Dunn, of Surrey, finished the division in second place with a score of 84.
Eight-year old Chloe Zhang, of Vancouver, recorded a 94 in the MJT Girls 8U Division to take home the title. “It was a hard golf course and I feel wonderful about winning here at Tsawwassen Springs,” said Zhang after the round. “Thank you to the MJT for putting on a fun event and the cool prizes.”
Full results from the event can be viewed here. The MJT BC Mini Tour stops next in Delta, BC, for the MJT Harry White Little Masters at Kings Links by the Sea on August 10 and 11. Spots for both the MJT Mini Tour and Junior Tour National Championships will be up for grabs. Registration can be done online at www.maplejt.com.
About the MJT: The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour 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 supported by valued Premier, Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts close to 90 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 12U and multi-day events for competitive players aged 11-19 which also offer qualifiers for international tournaments. The program has annual awards, scholarships and incentives to help reward 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 the provincial, national, university and professional levels.