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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

May 27-28, 2006
Ledgeview G&CC • Abbotsford, BC

For Immediate Release — May 29, 2006

Three Under Par Total Wins MJT Spot to Arizona Matches


Abbotsford, BC. – A number of great scores were posted this weekend in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s (MJT) Fraser Valley Championship at Ledgeview Golf Club in Abbotsford, BC. The two-day tournament, which was presented by Lindsay Kenney Barristers and Solicitors, featured young players from BC and the United States, with the overall winner qualifying for the CAN-USA Team Matches at ASU Karsten Golf Course in Tempe, Arizona, U.S.A. this December.

Lucas Bogdan, 18, of Abbotsford, BC, shot outstanding scores of 69-68 for a three-under-par total of 137 to take the Boys 17 and up division title by seven strokes and secure his spot on Maple Leaf Team Canada to Arizona in style. Bogdan said he spent several hours perfecting his putting stroke after the first round and felt all this practice was the key to his success in winning his first ever event. “It means a lot to win, considering it’s the first tournament I have ever won,” he said. Second place in the division was claimed by Steven Lane, 17, of Surrey, BC, who fired 75-69 for a two-day total of 144. One stroke back in third place was Mitchell Lock, 18, of Mission, BC, who posted scores of 74-71=145, while fourth place went to Jeff Stashuk, 19, of Coquitlam (74-73=147).

Champion of the Boys 14-16 division was Paul Mitzel, 16,of Mercer Island, WA, USA, who scored 72-74 (146) for a two stoke victory. Mitzel also attributed time on the Ledgeview practice putting green as a key to his success. “I enjoyed this course a lot because the greens were rolling true. The conditions made it difficult because of the wet fairways. This tournament motivates me to keep working at my game and hopefully win more in the future,” he said. Blair Coan, 15, of Abbotsford, BC, placed second in the division after shooting 76-72 (148). Tied for third place at 153 total score was Kyle Dodman, 15, also of Abbotsford, BC, (79-74) and Joon Heui Lee, 16, of Surrey, BC (74-79).

Despite having to work on his school exams leading up to the event, Nicholas Russell, 13, of Vancouver, BC, carded an excellent, career-low 68 second round score to win the Boys 13 and under division. His final round included a holed bunker shot on 15 and good putting. “I never three-putted,” said Russell, who shot 78-68 for a 146 total. “Since I had my best round ever today, it means the practicing I am doing is paying off. Before this tournament my routine was to visualize, do two practice swings, align myself to target and swing away.” Russell beat runner-up Andy Yang, 13, of Coquitlam, BC, (75-76=151), by five strokes. Kevin Lee, 11, of Surrey, BC, took third place with scores of 79-73 (152), and fourth spot went to Jay Kim, 13, of South Surrey (76-80=156).

All the top finishers in the sizeable Girls division posted scores in the 70’s, a feat highlighted by the fact that three of the top four are aged between 10 and 12. The division champion trophy went to Jessica Wallace, 15, of Langley, BC, who fired rounds of 78-75 (153). While she admitted that her putter was not at its best, she drove the ball well all weekend and won by two shots over runner up Emily Kim, 12, of Port Coquitlam, BC, who shot 77-78 (155). Hee Wook Choi, 11, of Abbotsford, BC, played steady golf all weekend and finished with scores of 79-77 (156) to claim third spot, while 10-year-old Jisoo Keel, of Coquitlam, came fourth (79-78=157).

The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Jay Kim, Joon Heui Lee, Lucas Bogdan and Jessica Wallace. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were Jay Kim again, Kyle Dodman, Mitchell Lock and Linda Luo, 13, of Richmond.

The MJT BC schedule continues on June 24th and 25th at Swan-e-Set Bay Resort in Pitt Meadows with the MJT Task Tools Classic. 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