Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 13-14, 2012
Surrey, BC

MJT’s Dylan Reichelt Memorial at Hazelmere highlight of BC Series

Surrey, BC – (August 15, 2012) – On August 13th and 14th, over 70 players on the Boston Pizza–presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) enjoyed great weather and a superb facility at Hazelmere Golf Club in Surrey, BC, in a two-day tournament which paid tribute to the memory of young Dylan Reichelt, a MJT member who passed away in a car accident last November. Players competed for division titles, an exemption into the Future Collegiate World Tour’s (FCWT) PGA West event in CA, USA, and for MJT Interclub prizes in the net score team component of the tournament.

Dylan Reichelt’s twin brother, Jesse, teed off the competition on day one and finished tied for fourth in Boys 17-19 with scores of 75-80 (155) off the blue tees. The division winner was Steven Hayes, 18, of Surrey, who came out tops in his first-ever MJT event after firing 71-72 (143). “Committing to shots and not letting the bad shots get to me, and of course putting wins golf tournaments,” he cited as reasons for his victory. Runner-up was Steve Lee, 17, of Kelowna, BC, (76-74=150) and third place went to Chris McEachran-Law, 18, of Coldstream, BC (80-74=154).

A scorching seven-under-par total score off the white tees guaranteed the MJT Boys 13 and under title and the FCWT exemption for 13-year-old Jae Wook Lee of Langley, BC, who had followed up his brilliant opening round of 67 with a fine score of 70 (137 total). “The course conditions were really good. Coming down the stretch I was really nervous but I was thinking stay calm and do your best,” he said, adding, “I feel that my practices are paying off.” Taylor Patrick, 13, of Surrey, took second place in the division (70-76=146), and Roy Kang, 13, of North Vancouver, BC, came third (73-79=152).

A tough contest in the Boys 14-16 division saw Marcus Brown, 16, of Surrey, hold onto his first round lead to take the title by one stroke (72-75=147). “I was concerned about the group ahead but it all worked out in the end,” he said of his thoughts coming down the stretch. “I haven’t won in a while so this is a great feeling.” Edward Metcalfe, 16, also of Surrey, carded back-to-back rounds of 74 to finish second, while Kevin Li, 15, of Burnaby, BC, placed third in the division (75-76=151).

The Girls Division title was won by six-year MJT veteran Jamie Oleksiew, 18, of South Surrey, who is en route to the University of Colorado, in Colorado, USA, (Division 1), on a full scholarship starting this September. “My short game was the key to my victory – it helped save a couple of shots,” said Oleksiew, who fired 75-75 (150). “It was nice to end my last MJT on a good note.” Kathrine Chan, 12, of Richmond, BC, pulled into second place after a great closing round (80-74=154) while third place was a tie at 156 total score between another MJT veteran, Valentina Trillo, 18, of Port Moody, BC, (77-79), who starts on the golf team at the University of British Columbia this fall, and rising star Alisha Lau, 12, of Richmond (77-79).

In the MJT Interclub competition based on net scores, the Swan-e-set Bay Resort team of Jae Wook Lee, Roy Kang and Sean Park took top honours. Second place went to Morgan Creek Golf Club (Taylor Patrick, Seo Ho Choi and Ji Sue,) and third place to Q Golf Club (Breanna Croxen, Edward Chen, Alisha Lau and Kathrine Chan).

The divisional Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition winners were Roy Kang, Marcus Brown, Ryan Hunt of Pitt Meadows and Jamie Oleksiew, while in the Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin they were Taylor Patrick, Lionel Taylor of Kelowna, Chris MacEachran-Law and Kathrine Chan. Golf Town Comeback Awards went to Willis Lee of Langley, Javier Sanchez-Mejorada of North Vancouver, Ryan Hunt and Kathrine Chan.

The next MJT British Columbia stop is the Okanagan Junior Championship at Predator Ridge Golf Resort in Vernon on August 26th and 27th, a qualifying event for the San Diego Junior Amateur Golf Championship. 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 presented by Boston Pizza is Canada’s premier and only national junior tour run exclusively by PGA of Canada 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 7–12 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.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Elaine Denton, MJT edenton@maplejt.com 1-877-859-GOLF www.maplejt.com