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The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
March 16-17, 2006
Point Roberts G&CC • Point Roberts, WA (BC)
2004 Canadian Amateur Champion Goes Low Overall at MJT Season Opener
Tsawwassen, B.C. – The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) teed off its nationwide schedule for 2006 at Point Roberts Golf Club in Point Roberts, WA, on March 16th and 17th with the first of two qualifying tournaments for the Future Collegiate World Tour’s (FCWT) National Championship.
The narrow, challenging Point Roberts layout proved to be a stern test for the field of competitive juniors, who came from as far away as Fort St. John and Alberta. Greens were fast, and there were lots of three-putts in the very windy conditions.
Winner of an exemption into the invitation-only FCWT National Championship at PGA National Golf Club in Florida, U.S.A., this May, was 2004 Canadian Amateur champion, Darren Wallace, 17, of Langley, B.C., who won the Boys 17 and up division and also shot the low overall score for the tournament.
Wallace started out the second round one stroke back of 2005 Future Links Champion, Nick Taylor, 17, of Abbotsford, B.C., who had posted a brilliant 69 on day one despite high winds and inclement weather. Wallace sealed the deal by holing his second shot on the difficult 9th hole Par 4 from 120 yards. Taylor closed with a 76, finishing three strokes back of Wallace who shot 70-72 for a two-under par total of 142. Third place in the division went to 18-year-old Jessie Singh of Surrey, B.C. (82-75).
Sue Kim, 15, of Langley, B.C., also won an exemption into the Florida event after placing first in the Girls division. Kim posted back-to-back rounds of 75 to finish at 150, eight strokes better than runner-up Jessica Wallace, 15, also of Langley, (81-77). “Playing on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour helps my game because I am competing with good players in B.C.,” said Kim. “This win was one more step forward to becoming a better player in every tournament.” Goals for her golf game this season include putts numbering less than 30 per round and hitting more than 14 greens in regulation per round. Third place among the girls was claimed by Chelsea Kim, 16, of Coquitlam, B.C. (84-83).
After overcoming a four shot deficit, Mike Broadfoot closed with a 75 to capture the Boys 14-16 division title and his first win in a major tournament. Broadfoot , 16, of Abbotsford, B.C., edged first round leader Conrado Paderes, 15, of Vancouver, B.C., by two strokes. Crediting his victory to being very focused and positive, Broadfoot’s strong tee shots and course management paid off. Second place finisher Paderes posted scores of 77-83. Blair Coan, 15, of Abbotsford, B.C., shot 83-84 to tie for third with John Koo, 16, of Langley, B.C. (82-85).
In the Boys 13 and under division, Andy Yang, 13, of Coquitlam, B.C., fired 78-83 to claim the title. “I have improved my game on the MJT,” said Yang. “My goal for this season is to win all the tournaments that I play.” Second spot went to Jon Strasdin, 13, all the way from Prince George, B.C., who shot 84-81 for a 165 total score. Brock Staller, 13, of Surrey, B.C., placed third in the division with scores of 87-84.
The Mr. Lube Long Drive winners in each division were Jon Strasdin, Sam Hunt, 15, of Penticton, Mitchell Lock, 17, of Mission, and Julie Kim, 18, of Port Coquitlam. The Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin divisional winners were Andy Yang, Jordan Gill, 14, of Vancouver, Izak Brussow, 17, of Fort St. John, and Julie Kim. Tournament participants were also treated to a clinic by Golf Professional Bryn Parry, 2005 CPGA Assistant’s Champion and Canadian Tour player.
The MJT continues its British Columbia schedule on March 25th and 26th with the first in a series of national qualifying events for the prestigious 54th East Aurora International Junior Masters in East Aurora, New York. The tournament will be held at Morgan Creek Golf Course in South Surrey, B.C. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.
About the MJT
As a not-for-profit association, the national Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) presented by Boston Pizza is Canada’s only major junior tour run exclusively by Canadian PGA Professionals. The program helps develop Canada's junior golfers, offering clinics, tournaments, international competitions and more. From free introductory clinics sponsored by Ford to the major CPGA Zone-sponsored junior championships, the MJT offers a quality experience for players. For more information please visit www.maplejt.com.
Contact:
Elaine Denton,
Marketing & PR, MJT
T: 604-943-1645
Email: edenton@maplejt.com