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The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
May 30-31, 2009
Langley, BC
DELTA SCHOOL DISTRICT GOLF ACADEMY CLASSIC QUALIFIES LI FOR AUSTRALIA
Langley, B.C.- (June 1, 2009) – The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) held the Delta School District Golf Academy Classic at Belmont Golf Club in Langley this past weekend, where players competed in four divisions in addition to having the chance to qualify for MJT Team Canada to Australia.
Event sponsor, the Delta School District, is opening a new Golf Academy at Seaquam Secondary in North Delta this fall; more information can be found on the website at deltasd.bc.ca/programs/academies.
Sunny Li, 14, of Surrey, posted his second win of the season in the Boys 14-16 division after shooting 71-75 (146) for the tournament, also clinching the low overall score and the spot in the 2009 Jack Newton International Junior Classic hosted by The Oaks Golf Club in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia, October 13-16, 2009. “My driver,” Sunny offered as reason for his win, “and good up and downs. He added, “The course was in good condition and was a great challenge.” Only one stroke back from the leader in this tight divisional race, was Myles DeBrincat, 15, of Coquitlam who played consistent golf to place second (74-73=147). Kevin Kwon, 14, also of Coquitlam, was just three strokes back of the leader, finishing third at 76-73 (149).
It was also a one-stroke decision in the Boys 13 and under category, with Kevin Vigna, 13, of Burnaby, firing 74-78 (152) and edging Oscar Baek, 13, of Coquitlam, (76-77=153) for the win. Vigna referenced “Sinking a clutch 6-foot putt on 17 for bogey to give myself a chance to win on 18, was key. I knew that a birdie or par on 18 would do it so I lagged my putt close for a sure par and the victory.” Third place went to Jun Kang, 13, of Port Moody who knocked six strokes from his previous round to score 81-75 (156) in the tournament.
T.J. McColl, 17, of Surrey, breezed through the hot weather to win the Boys 17-19 division by six strokes for a tournament total of 73-78 (151). McColl attributed his win to “good ball striking and putting,” also noting, “the course was in great shape and the greens were great.” Second place went to Henry Griffin, 17, of West Vancouver, who held close the first day, but had a rougher second round to post 74-83 (157). Brad Wahler, 17, of Abbotsford, 83-79 (162) and Cole Balachanoff, 18, of Coquitlam, 82-80 (162) settled on a tie for third.
It was an exciting 10th hole for Girls’ champion, Leilanie Kim, 16, of Surrey. “My second shot landed an inch to the right of the hole and then right afterwards it was Jamie’s (Oleksiew) turn and she hit her second shot an inch to the left!” Kim shot 76-74 (150) to win, and said it feels great and she is “very thankful to her coach and her parents.” 14-year-old Jamie Oleksiew, of South Surrey, finished second with 77-75 (152). Porsche Campbell, 16, of Vancouver, took third place with consistent rounds of 77-77 (154).
The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Kevin Vigna, Ryan Grill, 16, of Abbotsford, Porsche Campbell, and T.J. McColl. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were Donald Qui, 12, of Richmond, Sunny Li, Jamie Oleksiew, and Henry Griffin, 17.
The MJT moves its British Columbia schedule to the Okanagan on June 28th, 29th, and 30th for the MJT Okanagan Junior Championship at Predator Ridge Golf Resort in Vernon. This event is a qualifier for the Texas Junior Masters at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, Texas, USA. 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 presented by Boston Pizza is Canada’s premier and only national junior tour run exclusively by Canadian PGA Professionals. The organization hosts more than 50 events across Canada and also qualifies players for spots to international events in China, Scotland, Australia and many cities in the USA. The MJT offers annual awards, scholarships, and frequent player incentives to help reward player's performance and participation throughout each season. MJT alumni include several Canadian National Champions and many Future Links and Provincial Champions.
Contact: Elaine Denton, Marketing & PR, MJT T: 1-877-943-1645 Email: edenton@maplejt.com