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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

April 9-10, 2016
Surrey, BC

11-under par excellence highlights MJT Prodigy Series at Morgan Creek 10 qualify for U.S. Kids World/Teen Championships

SURREY, B.C. – (April 11, 2016) – Masterful performances from Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour players saw several sizzling scores in the 60’s recorded out of the packed field of 120 junior golfers who teed off in the MJT Prodigy Series at Morgan Creek Golf Club in Surrey, BC, over The Master’s weekend on April 9th and 10th, highlighted by an 11-under par winning score from 14-year old phenomenon, Susan Xiao.

An additional highlight was a hole-in-one on the eighth hole on day one from Dawoon Jung, 17, of Surrey - her first ever in her first ever MJT event which won her a special Miura Golf Gift Certificate in acknowledgement of her ace achievement. 

Xiao, also of Surrey, finished with absolutely brilliant scores of 66-69 (135), winning Low Overall for the Girls division as well as the Girls 14 and under Champion’s trophy and a spot into the US Kids Teen World Championships in Pinehurst, NC. “I feel honoured to win this tournament because this is my home course and I know (it) very well!” said Xiao, who has claimed her second MJT victory in as many starts this season.

Sandee Park, 14, of West Vancouver, BC, finished second in this division with scores of 77, 76 (153) and third place went to Angel Lin, 13, of Surrey, (80, 78=158).

The Girls 15-19 Champion was Tiffany Kong, 15, of Vancouver, BC, who fired commanding rounds of 69, 72 (141) for a three stroke victory over two veteran champions, Alisha Lau, 16, of Richmond, BC (72, 72=144) and Sarah Lawrence, 18, of Duvall, WA (70, 74=144). “My lag putting these past two days helped me,” said Kong. “I made an eagle on 17 – it was a 21 foot, downhill, right to left putt and I sank it! This tournament was a great competition with many high-level players.”

Low Overall Boy and MJT Juvenile Boys Champion was Andy Kim, 16, of Langley, BC, who made two eagles on day one to shoot 69, followed by a 76 (145 total) to hold off Samuel Su, 16, of Surrey, (73, 73 = 146). “It feels like I’m back to playing good golf after a horrible year last year,” said Kim. Third place went to Dylan Bissell, 15, of Yakima, WA (78, 70=148).                                                                                                                                                              

The Zalli brothers of Vancouver continued their strong play on the MJT with 17 year-old Christian Zalli shooting 70, 76 (146) to win the MJT Junior Boys title by four strokes over Mitchell Thiessen, 17, of Chilliwack, BC, who fired back-to-back 75’s for a 150 total score. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about Morgan Creek and after two rounds here, I can’t disagree, plus the MJT also run amazing tournaments and this week was no exception,” said Zalli, who cited his aggressive putting as key to victory. “I’ve been working really hard this year and this win let me know that what I’m focusing on is working.”

There was a three-way tie for third place at 154 total score between Jacob Hayes, 18, of Delta, BC (81, 73), Jackson Thornley, 18, of Vancouver, (78, 76) and Tyler Robertson, 19, of Prince George, BC (76, 78).

Ilirian Zalli, 14, repeated as MJT Bantam Champion with his second title in as many starts after firing excellent rounds of 69, 70 (139). “My ‘four under par through four holes’ start really boosted my round and set me on the right path to victory,” he said afterwards. “My greatest play was when I made a 20-foot birdie putt on the 36th hole to clinch the tournament. I really like coming and playing MJT events…so far I’ve never lost an MJT event and would love to keep that streak running.”

Second place in the division went to Jackson Jacob, 14, of Fort Langley, BC (71, 70=141) and third to Cole Bowering, 13, of Vancouver, (72, 74=146).

Rock solid rounds of 71, 72 (143) in Peewee Boys gave a one-under-par total and six stroke victory to 2015 MJT National Peewee Champion, Brycen Ko of Richmond. “My putting save me a lot,” the 12-year-old stated afterwards. “I love the course and the MJT and I feel great (about winning) but I know that there is a lot to work on.”  Runner-up in the division was Thomas Sluka, 12, of Canmore, AB, who shot 76, 73 (149), while third spot was taken by Bailey Bjornson, 12, of Surrey (75, 81=156).                               

The direct age-specific exemptions into the U.S. Kids Golf / Teen World Championships went to Xander Bankes of Rossland, BC, Junwoo Nam of Abbotsford, BC, Coco Pei of Surrey, Mai Hayashi of Vancouver, Leo Harper of Burnaby, Ilirian Zalli, Andy Kim, Angel Lin, Susan Xiao and Tiffany Kong.

Each division had a Long Drive Competition, a Sligo Closest-to-the-Pin Competition and a Golf Town Comeback Award for best second day improvement in score; details on the 18 winners are on the website which also shows the full results.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in BC is the MJT Lindsay Kenney Classic/Junior Worlds Qualifier at Pagoda Ridge Golf Course in Langley on May 7th and 8th. 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, Srixon / Cleveland Golf, Cam Clark Ford, Aquafina and TuGo, 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.

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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