Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

June 7-8, 2014
Pitt Meadows, BC

Larochelle drives away with first MJT title in MJT Ford Series Over 70 junior golfers compete in junior and mini-tour at Swan-e-Set

Pitt Meadows, BC. – (June 8, 2014) – Shayne Larochelle, 18, of Coquitlam, BC drove away with his very first Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour victory after firing solid rounds of 76-72 (148) during the MJT Ford Series at Swan-e-Set Bay Resort and Country Club in Pitt Meadows, BC, on June 7th and 8th.

Larochelle, an MJT veteran who has played for years, finally broke out and won top honours overall as well as the Junior Boys 17-19 Division title. “The conditions of the course were very difficult the first day but favourable for scoring on day two,” he said. “Scott Kerr, Edward Metcalfe and I were in a close battle for most of the final round.  I putted well both days and it feels good to win for the first time on the MJT tour.” Larochelle is now short-listed for MJT Team Canada to the SRIXON International Junior Classic in Australia this October; the final squad will be determined once all the qualifiers across the country are completed.

Finishing second in this division was 17-year Scott Kerr of Vancouver, who posted scores of 76-74 (150), while Edward Metcalfe, 17, of Surrey, BC, shot 72-79 (151) to finish one spot back in third place.

After making four birdies in a row on holes 13 through 16, 16-year old Alex Park of Vancouver claimed the MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 title (80-73=153).  “At the beginning everyone worried me. I was three-over through two holes. But I recovered and finished strong,” he said. “The course was tough in my opinion – long on the first day and I’ve had a problem with my driver lately. But today I was playing smart with my three wood. It feels good to win before my next tournament that I qualified for through the MJT - the International Junior Masters in New York.” Mitchell Thiessen, 15, of Chilliwack, BC, shot rounds of 80-75 (155) to place second, followed by a third place tie at 156 total score between Zaahidali Nathu, 16, of Richmond (83-73) and Evan Merrier, 15, of Surrey (81-75).

In the MJT Girls Division, 13-year old Tiffany Kong shot 78-74 (152) to win by four shots over both Annie Songeun Lee, 18, of Surrey (80-76 =156) and Cecile Kwon, 14, of Maple Ridge, BC (76-80=156). “Cecile and Annie are great competitors and golfers – it was a very close competition!” said Kong. “This is my first MJT win and I feel very proud of myself.”

Isaac Lee, 14, of Coquitlam, BC, shot 74-76 (150) to win Bantam Boys 14 and Under, stating, “I’m very happy that I won – I practice very hard every day and I’m glad I have the results today.” Finishing two shots back was Andy Kim, 14, of Langley, BC (76-76 =152), followed by Henri Lee, 13, of Surrey, who shot 80-76 (156). Full results and a photo gallery can be seen at http://www.maplejt.com/tour.php?id=2014004 .

The field of over 70 junior golfers at Swan-e-Set Bay Resort also comprised players aged 12 and under in the MJT Ford Mini Tour Series, which played over 18 holes on Saturday, June 7th. The Peewee Boys 11-12 title was decided on countback after both Steven Wang of Vancouver and Leo Harper of Burnaby tied with scores of 91. In Atom Boys 10 and under, Freddy Sun, 10, of Vancouver, shot a solid 78 to beat Brycen Ko of Richmond by one. “I made two birdies in a row to finish 78 on the last few holes. I feel very happy to win this tournament and I will shoot better in the future,” said Sun.  Playing a very solid round in the Peewee Girls division was repeat champion Angel Lin, 11, of Surrey, who shot 79, “I saved many par putts with my brand new putter,” she said. “I’m very happy to win at my second MJT Mini Tour.” Atom Girls winner was 9-year old Emily Zhang of Vancouver, who shot 93. Full results for the MJT Ford Mini Tour are posted at http://www.maplejt.com/tour.php?id=2014059 .

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour British Columbia stop is the Golf Canada/Golfweek/Golf British Columbia-ranked MJT ODLUM Brown Classic – PGA of BC Junior Championship at Northview G&CC from July 16-18, 2014. For more information or to register please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.

Weekend Skills Competitions

Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition

Girls
Breanna Croxen • Mayfair Lakes • New Westminster, BC
Bantam Boys
Mitchell Catania • • North Vancouver, BC
Juvenile Boys
Daniel Hyun • Swan-e-Set Bay Resort • Langley, BC
Junior Boys
Hunter Phelan • Shaughnessy Golf and CC • North Vancouver, BC

Sundog Eyewear Skills Competition

Girls
Tiffany Kong • Fraserview GC • Vancouver, BC
Bantam Boys
Isaac DH Lee • Swan-e-Set Bay Resort & Country Club • Coquitlam, BC
Juvenile Boys
Bryce Krakowec Tickner • Olympic View • Victoria, BC
Junior Boys
Ryan Hunt • Meadow Gardens GC • Pitt Meadows, BC

Golf Town Comeback Awards

Girls
Ji Na Choi • • Port Moody, BC
Bantam Boys
Jerry Zerui Liu • Seymour GC • West Van., BC
Juvenile Boys
Willis Lee • Wolfpack GC • Langley, BC
Junior Boys
Erik McDonald • Semiahmoo GC • Surrey, BC

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About the MJT:

The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour presented by Boston Pizza is Canada¹s 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 Ford of Canada, Mr. Lube, Cleveland Golf, Srixon, Gatorade and Travel Underwriters, in addition to valued Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts more than 70 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.
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MEDIA CONTACT:

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