Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

October 3-4, 2015
Richmond, BC

Playoff, hole-in-one and first wins highlight MJT Prodigy Series at Mayfair Lakes

RICHMOND, BC – (October 5, 2015) – Fantastic fall weather in British Columbia topped off another successful season on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour as the MJT Prodigy Series played out on Mayfair Lakes Golf Club in Richmond on October 3rd and 4th, highlighted by a playoff, a hole-in-one, and first wins in four out of the six age divisions.

After shooting solid rounds of 74-70 to tie for the lead in the MJT Junior Boys division at 144 total score with another MJT veteran, Shayne LaRochelle, 19, of Coquitlam, BC (71-73), Scott Kerr, 18, of Vancouver, BC, proceeded to clinch the title in a two-hole playoff. Third place plus the prizes for both Long Drive and Closest-to-the-Pin contests in this division went to Gavin Ciulla, 17, of Surrey, BC (72, 78=150).                

It was an emotional first win for Juvenile Boys champion, Keenan Flemming, 16, of Sechelt, BC, who was thrilled to finally claim victory on the MJT with fine scores of 73, 74 (147), giving him a one stroke margin over his friendly nemesis Khan Lee, 15, of Surrey (73, 75=148). “I made a lot of long birdie putts both days, did not three putt, and made birdie on the last hole to win” said Flemming about his game. “I feel very happy about winning, mainly because I beat Khan Lee for the first time.” Third place in their division was claimed by Coquitlam’s Josh Killins (78, 75=153).                                                    

‘Making lots of birdies early in the second round and some good par putts’ helped hand the MJT Bantam Boys title to Vancouver’s Cole Bowering, after the 13-year-old shot 78, 82 (160) to hold off Washington State’s Josef Koznek, 13, of  Marysville, (82, 82=164). This division witnessed an exciting hole-in-one on the fourth hole by Kevin Li, 13, of Vancouver (85, 80=165), which secured him third place and the coveted Miura Golf Gift Certificate.

A move from Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Cloverdale, BC, did nothing to affect 12-year-old Bailey Bjornson’s game, as he proved himself worthy of winning in both provinces with his fourth MJT Peewee Boys title this season. Bjornson, who shot 76, 70 (146), credited his attitude for his five stroke victory, and his tournament highlight as ‘making a long putt on the seventh hole today.’ Richmond juniors took both second and third place in the division - runner-up was Daniel Xu, 10, who carded 77, 74 (151), followed by Brycen Ko, 12, who finished with scores of 80, 77 (157).

It was a great first win for MJT Girls 15-19 champion, Amanda Minni, 16, of Tsawwassen, BC, after she fired 75, 74 (149) for a five stroke winning margin over Hon g Kong’s Vivian Lee, (78, 76=154). “Lots of practice ahead of time helped me and my putting was good - I almost made an eagle on 14 but I missed it on the low side – made birdie though,” said Minni. “I enjoy the camaraderie that the MJT brings and I feel accomplished to win a tournament with good competition.”

And another first time win played out in the MJT Girls U15 division, where Jennifer Gu, 12, of West Vancouver, shot 80, 71 (151) to capture the title over Michelle Cha, 14, of Surrey (78, 77=155). “The highlight for me was playing with all the contestants and playing the beautiful golf course,” said Gu afterwards. “I feel accomplished (about winning)!”

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

Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition winners:

U15 Girls: Jennifer Gu • West Vancouver, BC
15-19 Girls: O'Meara Chow • Mayfair Lakes G&CC • Richmond, BC
Peewee Boys: Daniel Xu • Richmond Country Club • Richmond, BC
Bantam Boys: Josef Koznek • Legion Memorial • Marysville, WA
Juvenile Boys: Lucas Oh • Hazelmere GC • Surrey, BC
Junior Boys: Gavin Ciulla • Redwoods GC • Surrey, BC

Sligo Closest-to-the-Pin Competition winners:

U15 Girls: Jennifer Gu • West Vancouver, BC
15-19 Girls: Bethany Ma • Vancouver Golf Club • Vancouver, BC
Peewee Boys: Ryan Liang • Point Grey Country&Golf Club • Vancouver, BC
Bantam Boys: Kevin Li • Marine Drive Golf Club • Vancouver, BC
Juvenile Boys: Keenan Flemming • Sunshine Coast G&CC • Sechelt, BC
Junior Boys: Gavin Ciulla • Redwoods GC • Surrey, BC

Golf Town Comeback Award winners for best second day improvement in score:

U15 Girls: Tessa MacLeod • Northview • Coquitlam, BC
15-19 Girls: Bethany Ma • Vancouver Golf Club • Vancouver, BC
Peewee Boys: Treton Clarke • Fraserglen • Mission , BC
Bantam Boys: Eddie Wang • Northland GC • North Vancouver, BC
Juvenile Boys: Deyang Xie • Carnoustie • Coquitlam, BC
Junior Boys: Bryce Krakowec Tickner • Olympic View • Victoria, BC

Overall champion Scott Kerr receives an exemption into the 2016 FCG San Diego Junior Amateur at Steele Canyon Golf Club and Sycuan Resort, just outside of San Diego, CA, while Girls Champion Amanda Minni receives an exemption into the 2016 MJT International Players Championship at Indian Wells in Palm Springs, CA.

This tournament signals the end of the regular season Canada’s number-one played junior golf tour. The invitation-only MJT Boston Pizza National Championship presented by TaylorMade Adidas at Reunion Golf Resort in Kissimmee, FLA, November 6th to 8th, is the final event for 2015. 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 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 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.
 

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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