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Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA Professionals

Press Release

March 24-25, 2008
S. Surrey, BC

For Immediate Release March 26, 2008

SIZZLING 7-UNDER PAR EARNS SPOT TO FLORIDA AT MJT’S HSBC EVENT


SOUTH SURREY, B.C. – The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s (MJT) first multi-day tournament of the season was held at Morgan Creek Golf Club in South Surrey, B.C., on March 24th and 25th, a double qualifier for two major international events. Exemptions to be won were in the Future Collegiate World Tour (FCWT) National Championship at PGA National Golf Club in Florida, and the World Youth Team Challenge (WYTC) at Bolingbrook Golf Club in Illinois, USA.

The two-day MJT tournament was sponsored by HSBC Securities (Canada) Inc. and featured a strong field of top junior golfers from as far away as Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and Grande Prairie, Alberta. MJT veteran Jay Kim, 15, of Surrey, playing his sixth season, blasted the course with a brilliant closing round of 7-under-par to finish at 75-65 (140) and win low overall score, the Boys 14-16 division title, and a spot to Florida. “I knew my best bud, Adam (Svensson), would pull out a low score so I just chose to play aggressive,” he said. “Thanks to the MJT I have become a better player mentally and physically, and this win means a lot because I actually proved to my friends that I got better after practicing a lot over the winter. Svensson, 14, also of Surrey, had to settle for third place in the division with scores of 71-76 (147) after being edged by runner-up Pureum Lee, 16, of North Vancouver, B.C. Lee shot back-to-back rounds of 73 for a 146 total score.

Another excellent final round score, and personal best of 4-under-par by 2007 MJT Cleveland Golf Player of the Year, Soo Bin Kim, 14, of Port Coquitlam, B.C., earned her a spot to both Florida and Illinois, as she finished with an outstanding total score of 6-under par (71-69 = 140), winning the Girls division by miles. “I had some great shots and putts today, but most of all I was having fun,” she said. “I just enjoy playing here (on the MJT). The win means a lot to me especially because I played my best score today.”

Runner-up in the Girls Division was another former MJT Cleveland Golf Player of the Year, Jennifer Yang, 14, of Coquitlam, B.C., who shot 76-75 (151), while third place went to Porsche Campbell, 15, of Vancouver (88-78=166).

Ryan Brooks, 19, of Pitt Meadows, B.C., stated his intention to win his division at the first tee and made it happen, firing 75-73 (148) to take the Boys 17 and up title by six strokes overall. “Coming down the stretch it was tough conditions so I was just thinking to finish strong,” he said. “Grinding away the whole tournament was the main reason I won and it means all the hard work has finally paid off.” Runner-up in the division was Sean Craigon, 18, of Maple Ridge, B.C., who shot 81-73 (154), while third place went to Kyle Dodman, 17, of Abbotsford, who shot 80-75 (155).

The Boys 13 and under champion was Lucas Gatto, 13, of Burnaby, B.C., who fired 80-79 (159) for his first MJT win. “My goal this season was to win on the MJT and I hope this is the start of a good season,” he said, citing his straight drives, good approach shots and short game as the main reasons for his victory. Second place in the division went to Nav Bains, 13, of Surrey, who posted scores of 85-77 (162). Richard Zhang, 13, of Richmond, B.C., shot 87=80 (167) to place third.

As qualifying continues for various age categories for the WYTC in Illinois, more finalists for exemptions will be shortlisted from both this tournament and others on the MJT schedule.

The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Edward Li, 13, of Vancouver, Nigel Sinnott, 16, of Rosedale, Michael Wawryk, 17, of Delta, and Soo Bin Kim. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were Callum Robinson,13, of Langley, Jaelem Bhate, 14, of Richmond, Joon Heui Lee, 18, of Surrey, and Jennifer Yang.

The MJT continues its British Columbia schedule on April 19th and 20th at Redwoods Golf Club in Langley, with the HSBC Bank Canada Classic – a qualifier for the 56th East Aurora International Junior Masters in New York State, June 2008. 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 (MJT) is presented nationally by Boston Pizza and is Canada's premier and only junior golf tour run exclusively by Golf Professionals. The MJT is proud to play a role in developing young players, including several Canadian National Champions and many Future Links and Provincial Champions. The MJT also provides opportunities for young Canadians to learn how to golf and introduces players as young as four years old to the game via free instructional clinics. In addition, the MJT encourages young players to further their education with scholarship awards. For more information, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-GOLF.

About HSBC Bank Canada
HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, has more than 170 offices and is the leading international bank in Canada. With around 10,000 offices in 83 countries and territories and assets of US$2,150 billion at 30 June 2007, the HSBC Group is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations. For more information, please visit www.hsbc.ca.


Contacts:
Elaine Denton, Marketing & PR, MJT
T: 604-943-1645; Email: edenton@maplejt.com

Ernest Yee
Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs
HSBC Bank Canada
Tel: (604) 641-2973