Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

June 11-12, 2011
South Surrey, BC

Vigna raking it in on the MJT: adds Australian qualifier to Callaway Junior Worlds spot

For Immediate Release - White Rock, BC – (June 13, 2011) – Peace Portal Golf Club was the stage for the latest tour stop on the BC schedule for the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, where junior golfers tackled the tight tree-lined border track for a chance to earn a spot on MJT Team Canada in the Srixon International Junior Classic in New South Wales, Australia, this fall.

Coquitlam’s Kevin Vigna, 15, already a winner on the MJT with a paid trip to the Callaway Junior World Golf Championship this July, continued his impressive run by firing 74-73 (147) to win the Boys 14-16 division and tie for low overall with Scott Robertson in the Boys 17-19 division. “Winning on the MJT for the second time this year feels amazing. I just enjoyed myself every minute I was out on the course,” Vigna said. His scores were good enough for a five stroke victory in his division and he commented that by “staying patient all 36 holes I knew I would get my fair share of chances out there. Making eagle on the first hole of my second round really was the spark.” Vigna now adds the eligible shortlisted spot on MJT Team Canada to Australia to his resume.

Only one shot back after round one was Alex Chen, 14, of Richmond, BC, who gave Vigna a good run but his closing 77 would only be good enough for second place (75-77=152). Coming off his own win in the MJT’s last event at Ledgeview was 15-year-old Marcus Brown of Surrey, who struggled but kept himself in the mix to collect a top three finish with his back-to-back rounds of 80 and a 160 total.

The traditional layout proved challenging with tight driving holes and firms greens defending the par of 72, however Surrey’s Scott Robertson managed to shoot under par with his low round of the tournament, a closing two-under par 70. Paired with his opening 78 it was a comeback that would earn him victory in the Boy’s 17-19 division and his tie for low overall with Vigna. Robertson, 19, has now gone back to back after winning the previous MJT event at Ledgeview Golf Club in Abbotsford, BC. “Walking in a 20 footer for birdie on 17 was a highlight,” he said. “It feels really nice that the hard work pays off yet again – kudos to my homies at the Tour Performance Lab!”
In the runner-up position was first round leader Callum Robinson, 17, of Langley, BC, who shot 75-78 (153). There was a tie for third place between Trevor Garofano, 17, of Coquitlam, who recorded a pair of 77’s for a 154 total and Ryan Saran, 18, of Langley, with his 154 total of 78-76.

Lily He of Pitt Meadows, BC, continued her winning streak on the MJT and racked up her third Girls division title with scores of 80-77 (157) - another impressive showing for the eleven-year-old. She commented, “MJT is a great opportunity to test my skill and to see if my hard work has paid off. The key to my victory was confidence. After I felt happy and very proud of myself, because I knew that I tried my best.” Second place honours went to Katherine Zhu, 15, from Langley, (89-84=173), while three strokes back was Kathy Hyunchae Lim, 13, also of Langley, with her back-to-back rounds of 88 (176 total).

“I’m really happy and like, I can’t believe I got first place,” said Jae Wook Lee, 11, of Langley, who won his first MJT title in the Boy’s 13 and under division with scores of 79-80 (159), good for a three stroke edge over frequent MJT top finisher Patrick Tan, 13, of Vancouver, BC. Lee commented that his key to victory was concentration. Tan managed two rounds of 81 for a 162 total and took down the Mr. Lube Long Drive in usual fashion with an impressive drive for his age. Rounding out the top three in the division was Taylor Patrick, 12, of Surrey, who carded 80-86 (166).

The other divisional Mr. Lube Long Drive winners were Ryan Brown (Surrey Golf Club), Steven Diack (Swan-e-set Bay Resort) and Kathy Hyunchae Lim (Redwoods Golf Club). Sundog Eyewear Skills Competition winners were James Chang (Q Golf Club), Alex Chen (Mayfair Lakes Golf Club), Scott Robertson (Hazelmere Golf Club) and Mackenzie Field (Christina Lake Golf Club). Golf Town Comeback Award winners in each division were Javier Sanchez-Mejorada (University Golf Club), Ryan Brown, Tyler Roope (Hazelmere Golf Club) and Mackenzie Field.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop is at the Harvest Golf Club in Kelowna, BC, on July 14-15, a qualifier for the Texas Junior Golf Tour Holiday Classic in TX, USA. This great Okanagan stop will also feature a club team competition. More information can be found at www.maplejt.com or by calling 1-877-859-4653.

About the MJT:
The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour presented by Boston Pizza is Canada’s premier and only national junior tour run
exclusively by Canadian PGA Professionals and the ‘Road to College Golf’ for aspiring young players. The organization hosts more than 60 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7-13 year olds, and multi-day events for competitive players which also qualify juniors for international competitions. The MJT 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 Canadian PGA 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 please visit www.maplejt.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: MJT - Elaine Denton - edenton@maplejt.com - 1-877-859-GOLF