Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 31-September 1, 2015
Surrey, BC

Marcus Brown drives off with MJT Ford Series at Hazelmere

Surrey, BC – (September 2, 2015) – Ignoring a major storm on day one, and intermittent rain on day two, local Marcus Brown ended his junior career and six year stint on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour in style by firing 71, 72 (143) to win Low Overall and the MJT Junior Boys champion’s trophy in the MJT Ford Series at Hazelmere Golf Club in Surrey, BC, on August 31st and September 1st.

Tournament Director, Neil Bidewell, commented that Brown, who is now off to play NCAA Division 2 golf on scholarship at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC, is a great role model for juniors on Canada’s number-one played junior tour and will be missed on the MJT. Brown, who cited a tournament highlight as his eagle on the fifth hole, stated, “I feel absolutely splendid. This is my last junior tournament and I love the MJT with all my heart.” There was a three-way tie at 148 total score for second place in the division between Jacob Bland of Sechelt, BC (77, 71), Shayne LaRochelle of Coquitlam, BC (77, 71) and Taylor Patrick of Surrey, (75, 73).

The MJT Juvenile Boys champion was Andrew Spalti of Vancouver, BC, who shot 73, 71 (144) to win by six strokes in the difficult conditions over both Andy Fan of Vancouver (76, 74) and Mitchell Thiessen of Chilliwack, BC (76, 74). “I made a putt for eagle on 16 – even though it’s quite a short hole, it’s still an eagle,” said Spalti about his tournament highlight. “I have won the Ford Series before and wanted to give it another shot – it feels good (to win) because most of this year I have been close to winning but never capitalized.”                                                

Vancouver’s Cole Bowering, 13, captured his second MJT title this season, his first in the MJT Bantam Boys division, with solid rounds of 75, 77 (152). “I made a lot of three foot par putts and I feel great because I like MJT and I played good golf,” he said afterwards. Runner-up was Dylan Bercan, also of Vancouver, (77, 78=155) and third place went to Andy Jang of Langley, (80, 79=159).

Peewee prodigy Brycen Ko, 12, of Richmond, BC, fired a fantastic final round of 68 to win his fourth MJT Peewee Boys title this season (80, 68=148). “I stayed positive after getting bogeys which allowed me to get back on track and make birdies,” he summed up. “I feel happy about winning but I know that there are still many parts of my game that need work.” Runner-up was 9-year-old Ryan Vest from Vernon, BC (85, 72=157) and 10-year-old Cooper Humphreys of Lions Bay, BC placed third in the division (85, 77=162).

Another scorching final round of 68 handed Low Overall among the Girls to 12-year-old Angel Lin of Surrey, who ended up with 81, 68 (149) and the MJT Girls U15 title. “I was really consistent and focused throughout the round,” said Lin afterwards. “Instead of being tense today I tried to go out there and have fun, knowing that whatever happens, happens. I knew that even if I didn’t have a good round today, my family and friends would still be happy.”  Angela Zhang, 13, of Vancouver, came second in the division (86, 71=157) and Jennifer Gu, 12, of West Vancouver, came third (82, 77=159).

The MJT Girls 15-19 champion was Maple Ridge’s Esther Subin Lee, 16, who carded 83, 72 (155).  “I feel thankful for my parents, friends and coach and am really happy that my golf improved during the summer,” she said. Second place went to Breanna Croxen of New Westminster, BC, who shot 83, 75 (158) and third place to Sarah Lawrence of Duvall, WA, who came in with scores of 82, 79 (161).

Divisional winners of the on-course competitions were as follows:

Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition Winners

U15 Girls: Michelle Cha • Hazelmere GC • Surrey, BC
15-19 Girls: Rhiannon Jones • Shannon Lake GC • Westbank, BC
Peewee Boys: Ryan Vest • Predator Ridge & Spallumcheen G&CC • Vernon, BC
Bantam Boys: Peter Zhang • Northview Golf Course • Surrey, BC
Juvenile Boys: Andy Kim • Redwoods GC • Langley, BC
Junior Boys: Jacob Lucki • Sandpiper • Agassiz, BC

Sligo Closest-to-the-Pin Competition Winners

U15 Girls: Tessa MacLeod • Northview • Coquitlam, BC
15-19 Girls: Esther Subin Lee • Swan-e-Set Bay Resort • Maple Ridge , BC
Peewee Boys: Ryan Vest • Predator Ridge & Spall Golf&CC • Vernon, BC
Bantam Boys: Gabriel King • Morgan Creek • Surrey, BC
Juvenile Boys: Asher Freedman • Richmond Country Club • Vancouver, BC
Junior Boys: Nick Krystal • Pitt Meadows GC • Port Moody, BC

Golf Town Comeback Award Winners

U15 Girls: Rachel Chung • FraserGlen Golf • Abbotsford, BC
15-19 Girls: Candy Hyunkyoung Lee • • Surrey, BC
Peewee Boys: Andy Luo •  Burnaby, BC
Bantam Boys: Gabriel King • Morgan Creek • Surrey, BC
Juvenile Boys: Deyang Xie • Carnoustie • Coquitlam, BC
Junior Boys: Grant Numrich • Red Deer G&CC • Red Deer, AB

MJT members in the province have now earned valuable Cleveland Golf Order of Merit (OOM) points throughout the season and await invitations to the prestigious MJT Boston Pizza National Championship at Reunion Golf Resort, Kissimmee, FLA, November 6-8, where a number of Division 1 college coaches will be in attendance. 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 Ford of Canada, Mr. Lube, Cleveland Golf, Srixon, Gatorade and Tugo, 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.

- 30 -
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Elaine Denton, MJT Director of Marketing and Administration
edenton@maplejt.com 1-877-859-GOLF