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The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
April 14-15, 2007
Langley, BC
Washington’s Webb Wins Spot to New York on MJT
LANGLEY, B.C. - The Redwoods Golf Course in Langley, B.C., played host to a stop on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) on April 14th and 15th, sponsored by local law firm Lindsay Kenney LLP. The field of girls and boys, who enjoyed fine weather over the weekend, were competing for spots into two international events – the 55th East Aurora International Junior Masters (EAIJM) in East Aurora, New York, and the World Youth Team Challenge in Illinois.
The EAIJM exemption in the MJT Lindsay Kenney Classic was won by Jacob Webb, 16, of Issaquah, WA, who fired 71-74 (145) to win both low overall amongst the boys and the 14-16 division title. “Coming down the stretch I was trying to grind it out and make birdie on the last hole. I was not giving up until I had made my last putt,” said Webb, who won his division by six strokes. Tied for second spot were Nicholas Russell, 14, of North Vancouver, B.C., (78-73) and Jun Ho Lee, 16, of Pitt Meadows, B.C. (75-76).
Another tournament highlight was 13-year-old Soo Bin Kim’s two-under-par 69 on the second day, which catapulted her past first round leader Kristina Gargaro into first place in the Girls division. Kim, of Port Coquitlam, B.C., shot her best score ever in front of her coach, Brian Jung, and finished at 72-69 (141) for the tournament. “I had a lot of highlights today but I really liked the 9th hole where I made my 15 foot long putt,” she said. “I think every MJT tournament helps me do better because there are a lot of people who are better than me and who I want to beat.” Jisoo Keel, 11, of Coquitlam, B.C., shot 73-72 (145) to place second among the Girls, while Gargaro, 17, of Port Moody, B.C., shot 70-77 (147) to finish third.
Kevin Lee, 12, of Surrey, B.C., closed with an even par 71 to pull into the lead and win the Boys 13 and under division by three strokes (79-71=150). “It was my putter. Every putt was going in on the second day and I think I had a little bit of luck,” he said. “I was thinking about my grandmother. She is sick in Korea so I wanted to give the (first place prize) Olympus camera to her, so I tried my best ‘til the end.” Runner-up in the division was Kevin Kwon, 11, of Coquitlam, who shot 80-73 (153), while third place went to Taizhi Yang, 13, of Langley (78-78=156).
In the Boys 17 and up division, Mitchell Lock, 19, of Mission, B.C., held on to his day one lead to post back-to-back rounds of 74, claiming victory by three strokes over Preston Pierson, 19, of Langley (78-73=151). “The MJT is a great place to get accustomed to playing under pressure,” said Lock. “My main goal this year is to qualify for the B.C. Amateur and finish high.” Nick McKnight, 17, of North Vancouver, (79-74) and Tony Elliott, 20, of Coquitlam, (76-77) tied for third place in the division at 153 total score.
The finalists for exemptions into the World Youth Team Challenge in Illinois were shortlisted to Kevin Kwon, for boys aged 11, and Jisoo Keel, for girls aged 11-12.
The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Kevin Lee, Steven Nakajima, 16, of Delta, B.C., Nick McKnight and Jisoo Keel. Keel also won the Sundog Skills competition for the girls; the other divisional winners were Jacob Webb, and Langley players Tony Ko, 11, and Harrison Taylor, 17.
The MJT continues its British Columbia schedule on April 21st and 22nd at Mayfair Lakes Golf Club in Richmond, B.C., with the MJT Canadian University Coaches Classic, a qualifier for spots on two teams. One is MJT Team Canada to the International Junior Golf Team Invitational in Mexico, and the other is MJT Team Canada to the Scotland Kingdom of Fife Matches in St. Andrews, Scotland. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.
About the MJT
Boston Pizza is the Presenting Sponsor of the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada's premier and only national 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 is also focused on providing 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. MJT - developing champions, in golf, in life.
Contact:
Elaine Denton,
Marketing & PR, MJT
T: 604-943-1645
Email: edenton@maplejt.com