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Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour
The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
August 10-11, 2009
Chilliwack, BC
KIM WINS PLAYOFF AND KONG EXCELS AT MJT LINDSAY KENNEY CLASSIC
Chilliwack, BC – (August 12, 2009) – Alix Kong helps symbolize what the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) stands for in terms of developing champions. Kong, age 13, of West Vancouver, started out on the MJT at age nine and shot 107-111 at Point Roberts Golf Club; four years later she is a two handicap and has just won her second MJT division title at the Lindsay Kenney Classic at Chilliwack Golf Club, BC, on August 10-11, with scores of 77-73.
The two day tournament, which played out in very wet conditions, featured four divisions for young golfers. Kong won the Girls division by nine strokes after shooting 77-73 (150) and said, “I feel like the work I put into my game this summer has paid off. Key to my winning was keeping my emotions in check and making the best out of bad shots.” Dani Shap, 18, of Mission, was runner-up with scores of 78-81 (159) and Brooklyn Kraakman, 15, of Deroche, challenged close behind to take third place after carding 82-78 (160) for the tournament.
It was a tight three-way race to the title in the Boys 14-16 division, with MJT veteran Jay Kim, 16, of Surrey 72-76 (148) clinching top honours by defeating Callum Robinson, 15, of Langley, on the second playoff hole, also winning low overall score for the tournament. Robinson tied Kim with back-to-back 74’s to force the playoff. “I was able to take advantage of all the par five’s which saved me a lot of mistakes,” said Kim, who qualifies for an exemption into a top junior tournament in the USA with this fine effort. Just one stroke behind Kim and Robinson was Taizhi Yang, 15, of Langley, who also played solid golf and placed third in the division (75-74 =149)
Another great challenge in the Boys 17-19 division saw three 17 year-olds, hometown boy Matt Gudmundson, Brett Sherwood of Surrey, and Kowan O’Keefe of Blind Bay, post identical scores for the two day event 79-75 (154) , resulting in a three-way tie for first in this category. Gudmundson, who took the trophy based on retrogression, commented, “The course was nice but wet. I hit good drives.”
Boys 13 and under division champion, Oscar Baek, 13, of Coquitlam, continued his winning streak on the MJT and overtook first-round leader Jun Kang, 13, of Port Moody, carding double 74’s (148) to win by two strokes. Kang shot 73-77 (150). “I only have one tournament left in this category before I turn 14 so I need as many wins as possible,” said Baek. “ I made a 16 yard putt for birdie on (hole) number four and feel pretty good about my second win this year.” Tristan Desjarlais, 13, of Chilliwack, was solid through 36 holes to finish in third place (81-86=167).
The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Jun Kang, Jay Kim, 16, of Surrey, Jae Jun Lee, 18, of Coquitlam, and Brooklyn Kraakman. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were Oscar Baek, Paul Beckmann, 16, of Mission, Kowan O’Keefe, and Olivia Babichuk, 14, of Port Moody.
The MJT continues its British Columbia schedule next week on August 17th and 18th at Hazelmere Golf Club in Surrey, and the field is already full with a wait list. For more information, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.
About the MJT
The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) is presented nationally by Boston Pizza and is Canada’s premier and only 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 also provides 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.
Contact:
Elaine Denton, Marketing & PR, MJT T: 1-877-943-1645 Email: edenton@maplejt.com