Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 7-8, 2011
Abbotsford, BC

Brown and Robertson Share Low Overall at MJT Lindsay Kenney Classic

For Immediate Release – Abbotsford, BC – (May 9, 2011) – Ledgeview Golf Course was the site of a junior golf showdown in west coast weather this past weekend, when the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf teed off the MJT Lindsay Kenney Classic. Avoiding the rain, but playing through soft conditions that lengthen the tight Ledgeview track, Marcus Brown, 15, of Surrey, BC, captured his first tournament victory with an impressive showing of 72-70 (142 total), tying for low overall with 19-year-old Scott Robertson, also of Surrey, who fired the low round of the tournament on day one, a 69, followed with 73 on day two for a 142 total.

Brown’s play earned him not only top spot in his age division of Boys 14-16 with a convincing 14 shot victory but also qualified him for the 2011 Future Champions Golf (FCG) World Championship, to be held July 17th - 19th at PGA West Golf Club in La Quinta, California. “I drove the ball great this weekend and putted well,” said Brown. “My tournament highlight was chipping in from 20 yards on number seven. It feels great to know that all of the hard-work I did over the winter paid off and I look forward to competing this summer.” Runner-up Tom Bang, 16, of Coquitlam, carded rounds of 76,80 for a 156 total while Colin Wang, 15, of Vancouver, rounded out the top three with his 79,78=157 total.

In the Boys 17-19 division, Scott Robertson credits the consistency he gained from working with CPGA Matt Palsenbarg and Trainer Jason Glass at Northview Golf and Country Club as his key to victory, adding “a hot putter also helps”. Finishing only two strokes behind Robertson was Abbotsford’s own Ryan Grill, 18, who carded a 71,73 on route to a second place finish at a respectable 144 total. Jordan Beveridge, 17, of Pitt Meadows, finished third with solid play of 72,73=145 total.

Eleven-year-old Lily He of Pitt Meadows won the Girl’s Division by six strokes with her scores of 75, 77=152 total. She notes her key to victory was “to never give up and always try my best”. She continued, “I felt proud, happy and very excited.” Keanna Mason, 14, of Maple Ridge fought off a disappointing first round to take the Golf Town Comeback Award and a silver medal with her 83,75=158 total. In third place, Michaela Abey, 17, of Abbotsford, shot rounds of 87, 82 en route to a 169 total and the bronze medal.

The battle of Marine Drive Golf Club juniors Harry Huang, 11 and Patrick Tan, 13, set the stage for the Boys 13 and under division. At the end of the day, it was Huang’s 72,75=147 total that was good for a four shot victory over the 73,78=151 total put up by Tan. Huang highlighted a hole-out from a bunker on number eight as putting him back in the lead but it was his ‘confidence and persistence’ that were the key to his victory. “I have made a lot of friends on the MJT and I am so excited about winning my division title.” For third place, Burnaby’s Edward Chen, 13, carded a pair of 82s for a 164 total. Deserving of special mention is 10 year old Raymond Li of Vancouver who displayed the kind of integrity and honesty that separates the game of golf from other sports by declaring a penalty on himself. It was an unfortunate break that as per the Rules of Golf resulted in his disqualification but also great praise from MJT officials and fellow competitors alike. It was a difficult lesson to learn however one that will serve him well in his many future years of tournament golf.

Divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Patrick Tan, Tom Bang of Coquitlam, Brady Walsh of Victoria and Lily He, while the Sundog Eyewear Skills Competition winners were Tan, Colin Wang of Vancouver, Ryan Saran of Langley and Ye Rin Suh of Coquitlam. Golf Town Comeback Award winners for best second day improvement in each age division were Richard Yu of Richmond, Brown, Saran and Mason.

The MJT British Columbia schedule continues on June 11-12 in South Surrey, BC, at Peace Portal Golf Club, an event which is also a qualifier for the MJT Team Canada to the Srixon International Junior Classic in New South Wales, Australia. 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 and the ‘Road to College Golf’ for aspiring young players. The organization hosts more than 60 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7-13 year olds, and multi-day events for competitive players which also qualify juniors for international competitions. The MJT offers annual awards, scholarships, and frequent player incentives to help reward player's performance and participation throughout each season. MJT alumni include many Professional Tour players and Canadian PGA Professionals, as well as Canadian Amateur, National and Provincial Junior Champions. The MJT aims to develop champions, in golf and in life, promoting the game from grassroots through to provincial, national, university and professional level. For more information please visit www.maplejt.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: MJT - Elaine Denton - edenton@maplejt.com - 1-877-859-GOLF