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Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA Professionals

Press Release

August 12-13, 2013
Surrey, BC

Kelowna’s Steven Lee races to victory in MJT Ford Series

SURREY, B.C. – (August 14, 2013) – Steven Lee of Kelowna, BC, made the trip to the MJT Ford Series at Hazelmere Golf Club in Surrey, BC, on August 11th and 12th, worth his while by firing stellar rounds of 72, 71=143 to record back-to-back low overall tournament wins on the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, Canada’s most-played junior tour.

Lee, 18, won the MJT Ford Series Junior Boys 17-19 title and an exemption into the Future Collegiate World Tour’s ASU Karsten event in Arizona, USA, over a strong field including Chris Crisologo, 17, of Richmond, BC (71, 73=144) and Jacob Vanderpas, 19, of Vancouver, BC (72, 74=146), who were hot on Lee’s heels. “My personal highlight for this tournament was to make a 15 foot birdie putt on 16,” Lee commented. “I tried to block out the nerves. This was a very close battle and it is quite a relief to come out on top!”

More great stories were recorded in the other three divisions at the two-day tournament – Mitchell Thiessen, 14, of Chilliwack, BC, won his first MJT title with a birdie on the second playoff hole after he came from behind to shoot one-under-par on day two (78, 71=149) and tie for the MJT Ford Series Bantam Boys 14 and under lead with Willis Lee, 14, of Langley, BC (75, 74=149). “I was very nervous,” said Thiessen. “Making my birdie on the second playoff hole to win was the highlight.  I feel very excited – this is my first win on this tour.” The division saw a tie for third place at 152 total score between Khan Lee, 13, of Surrey, (78, 74) and Jaewook Lee, 14, of Langley, BC 76, 76=152).

2012 MJT Cleveland Golf Girls Player of the Year, Keanna Mason, 16, of Maple Ridge, BC, raced away with the MJT Ford Series Girls division title after posting excellent scores of 73, 72=145. “Talking with my group and keeping relaxed throughout each round really helped me,” she stated. “It feels good to play well and it gives me great confidence.” Runner-up was Madison Kapchinsky, 18, of Kelowna, who shot 78, 76=154, while Avery Struck, 16, of Halfmoon Bay, BC, placed third (77, 78=155).

Mathew McConnachie, 15, of Surrey, made the move to the Juvenile Boys 15-16 division look easy by firing 75, 77=152 to win the MJT Ford Series division title by two strokes over Cole Briggs, 16, of Langley, (76, 78=154) and Alexander Jewkes, 16, of Vancouver, (75, 79=154). “My personal highlight was my 20 foot birdie putt on (hole) 13 to tie for the lead in the final round,” said McConnachie. “My key to victory was grinding it out on every shot and taking one shot at a time. It feels great as it is my first win and my first tournament in the juvenile division.”

In the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition, divisional winners were Sharon Park of Surrey, Taylor Patrick of Surrey, Andrew Metcalf of Surrey, and Taylor Durham of North Vancouver, while Sundog Eyewear Skills Competition divisional winners were Sophie Liu of Surrey, Mitchell Thiessen, Cole McKinnon of Surrey, and Nick Krystal of Port Moody, BC. Golf Town Comeback Awards for best second round improvement went to Ye Ji Lim of Langley, Thiessen, Callum Roe of Surrey, and Josh Legge of Powell River, BC.

Full details on the MJT Ford Series at Hazelmere Golf Club can be seen here.

The final multi-day Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in BC is the MJT Prodigy Series at Predator Ridge Golf Resort in Vernon, August 26th and 27th, a qualifier for the FCG San Diego Junior Amateur in CA, USA. 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 number-one played Junior Golf Tour as well as the only national junior tour run exclusively by PGA of Canada Professionals and the ‘Road to College Golf’ in Canada. The organization is generously supported by Boston Pizza and Premier Partners Cleveland Golf, Srixon, Ford, Mr. Lube, Golf Town and Travel Underwriters, in addition to valued Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT 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 program 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 PGA of Canada 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 CONTACT: Elaine Denton, MJT edenton@maplejt.com 1-877-859-GOLF  www.maplejt.com.