Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 17-18, 2014
Langley, BC

Brilliance of BC’s Junior Golfers showcased at MJT’s Pagoda Ridge stop Players shortlisted for Junior World Championships

VANCOUVER, B.C. – (May 19, 2014) – Several rounds of 67, 68 and 69 were recorded during the two-day MJT Prodigy Series Junior Worlds Qualifier at Pagoda Ridge Golf Club in Langley, BC on May 17th and 18th, where 100 young players on Canada’s number-one played Junior Golf Tour competed for division titles and the chance to be shortlisted for the Callaway Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego, CA, this July.

The brilliance of BC’s junior golfers was showcased during the tournament on the Boston Pizza-presented tour. Firstly, 14-year-old Alisha Lau of Richmond, BC, cemented her reputation as an outstanding talent with back-to-back scores of 69, racing away with her second 2014 MJT Girls division title together with shortlisted spot in the Junior Worlds where she has already twice represented the MJT and Canada. “My personal highlight this tournament was just to see my friends and have some fun – but my putting came through for me – it saved me a lot,” she said. “I played well this weekend – it’s been a good season so far!” Second place went to Sarah Lawrence, 16, of Duvall, WA, (72, 74=146) who edged both Cecile Kwon, 14, of Maple Ridge, BC (75, 72=147) and Sumie Francois, 14, of Burnaby, BC (74, 73=147).

Tournament Director and PGA Professional Neil Bidewell said he ‘felt honoured’ to present the MJT Boys 17-19 title to Tyler Roope, 19, of Langley, who fired the low round of the tournament and won the last junior event of his career (67, 75=142). “I love playing this golf course, there’s a lot to like about it. Great design and well kept,” he said. “It feels awesome (to win). Especially this being my last tournament with the MJT, it feels good to end on a good note. A big shout-out to Neil and the crew for giving juniors an opportunity to play!” Second place went to Scott Lemon, 17, of Winnipeg, MB (72, 74=146). A great final round of 69 from Santiago Bouyra, 17, of Parksville, BC (79, 69=148), catapulted him into a tie for third with Michael Griffin, 17, of Victoria, BC (70, 78=148).         

A come-from-behind win secured another MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 gold medal for Alex Francois of Burnaby, together with a shortlisted spot to the Junior Worlds, after an outstanding closing round of 68 vaulted him past several players into the lead (74, 68=142). Francois, 16, cited his chip-in eagle on the short 286 yard par 4 as key to his victory. “I had a ‘five-under in five holes’ streak,” he said. “The expectations I had for the final group were very high, therefore I knew I had to post a good score. This gives me the confidence of being able to win from behind.” Runner-up was Alex Park, 16, of Vancouver, who shot 70, 76 (146) and third place went to MJT newcomer Kevin Bishop, 16, of Nanaimo, BC (72, 75=147).    

Duncan, BC’s Callum Davison, 13, repeated as champion of the MJT Bantam Boys division after firing excellent scores of 70, 69 (139), securing a shortlisted spot to the Junior Worlds for his age category.  “My highlight was holing out from a bunker and my key to winning was hitting greens,” he stated. Runner-up was Andrew Spalti, 14, of Vancouver, (70, 73=143). There was a three-way tie for third place at 148 total score between Raymond Li, 13, of Vancouver, (76, 72), Perry Xin, 14, of  Vancouver, (75, 73) and Khan Lee, 14, of    Surrey, (70, 78   ).

Divisional winners of the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Ye Ji Lim of Redwood GC and Langley, Justin Yap of Quilchena GC and Richmond, Alex Francois of Shaughnessy G&CC and Jake Scarrow of Sandpiper/Northview GC and Dewdney, BC. Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners were Cecile Kwon of Swan-e-Set Bay Resort and Maple Ridge, BC, Freddy Sun of Quilchena GC and Vancouver, Keenan Flemming of Sunshine Coast G&CC and Sechelt, BC and Garde MacDonald of Point Grey GC and Vancouver. Golf Town Comeback Awards went to Rene Cheng of Vancouver Golf Club, Chris Buckland of Morgan Creek GC, Jaxson Stobbe of Redwoods GC and Austin Bosquet of Coldstream, BC.         

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in BC is the MJT Ford Series Team Canada Qualifier at Swan-e-set Bay Resort in Pitt Meadows on June 7th and 8th, which also has a MJT Mini Tour stop for players aged 12 and under on June 7th only, however prior to this there is another MJT Mini Tour stop at Tsawwassen Springs Golf Course in Tsawwassen on May 24th. For more information please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.

About the MJT:

Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour
Elaine Denton, Director of Marketing and Administration
edenton@maplejt.com 
1-877-859-GOLF