Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

April 28-29, 2018
Surrey, BC

12 Year Old’s Sizzling Six-Under And More Highlights MJT’s Ford Series In Surrey

Surrey, BC – (April 30, 2018) – It was fantastic to see over 140 young athletes participate in either the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour's MJT Ford Series Tournament or MJT Ford Go Golf! Junior Clinic at Morgan Creek Golf Club in Surrey, British Columbia, on April 28 and 29, where the clinic sponsored by Dams Ford Lincoln offered a free introduction to golf for boys and girls ages 6 and 12, and the tournament for competitive players offered up division titles, the chance to win a new Ford Focus with a hole-in-one, and direct international exemptions. These exemptions were into the FCG Callaway World Championship in California this July and the International Players Championship (IPC) presented by Miura Golf at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge GC this August.

At still only 12 years of age, Lauren Kim, of Surrey, BC, played up a division and captured the MJT Girls 15-18 title with a sizzling six-under 67 in the final round. Her two-day total of 141 (74-67) gave her a three-stroke victory over Leah John, 17, of Vancouver, BC (69-75=144).  "My best hole was the 17th on day two, because I made an eagle,” said Kim, who had six birdies, an eagle and a double bogey in her final round. “I feel very happy and satisfied to win because I made a big comeback on day two."

In the MJT Girls U15 division, Tina Jiang, 13, of Richmond, BC, posted rounds of 75-72 (147) to win the title by nine shots over 12-year old Bonnie Zhai, of Surrey, who carded 80-76 (156). Jiang summed up her final hole: “I was calm and hit my driver right down the fairway, then had a pitching wedge in. I had a really downhill, 10 yard sloping putt, but that moment I knew I was going to make the putt. Which I did." 

Low Overall and the MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 Champion was Tony Li, 16, of Vancouver, BC, after he fired stellar rounds of 71-70 (141) to beat runner-up Dylan Bercan, 16, of Vancouver, BC, who carded a pair of solid 73's (146).   “I focused on staying present for each shot, even on the last hole when I knew I had the lead,” Li said, who secured an exemption in the FCG Callaway World Championship. “This event was one of the first tournaments I’ve ever played in, and I remember looking up to the leaders that afternoon wondering if I’d ever be where they are…. I am very thankful to claim my division title and be in this position today.” 

It was a first-time win in the MJT Junior Boys 17-18 division by Nicholas Torry, 17, of Comox, BC, who narrowly defeated Liam Kightley-Kauser, 17, Surrey, with a two-round total of 158 (74-84). "It feels great as this is my first MJT title and it felt good to win on a challenging golf course,” Torry commented. “My thoughts on the final hole were to hit four good shots and I managed to accomplish that."

The MJT Bantam Boys 13-14 Hoselton trophy went to Billy Zhang, 14, of Coquitlam, BC, who fired great rounds of 74-72 (146)  to edge out MJT standout Bailey Bjornson, 14,  of Surrey, by one stroke. On his win, Zhang said, "It feels great because all my hard work paid off.  The MJT is a great tour and there is a good competitive field."

Surrey’s Justin Bjornson, 12, kept his winning streak going and racked up another MJT Peewee Boys 11-12 title with back-to-back rounds of 75, claiming a six stroke victory over Ryan Vest, 11, of Vernon, BC. “My best hole in the tournament was the second on day one because I came back with an eagle after a rough first hole,” Bjornson said afterwards. “I was thankful for having played well and set myself up for the win.”

MJT veteran Edward Metcalfe, 21, of White Rock, BC, home from university and preparing for the BC amateur schedule, fired rock solid rounds of 71-70 (141) to finish at three-under par for the MJT Collegiate Division 19-23 trophy.  When asked about this event, Metcalfe said, "I am happy that I played some good golf."

Full details are posted on the MJT website HERE, which also shows winners of the MJT Comeback Award, PLYR Long Drive, and the PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin.

The next BC Junior Tour stop on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is the MJT Lindsay Kenney Classic at Pagoda Ridge Golf Club in Langley, May 5 and 6, which is a shortlist qualifier for the IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championship in San Diego, California this July.  For more information, please see www.maplejt.com. For more information on MJT Premier Partner, Ford of Canada, please see www.ford.ca .

About Ford: Ford of Canada employs over 23,000 talented individuals in the fields of finance, sales and marketing, information technology, manufacturing and engineering, and human resources. This diverse workforce is responsible for the manufacturing and assembly operations that bring 320,000 vehicles and 425,000 engines to market. At Ford we are proud to be Canada’s longest-established automaker and remain committed to building a strong future in Canada. www.ford.ca

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 presented nationally by Boston Pizza and supported by valued Premier, 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, the Collegiate Tour for 19-23 year olds, and multi-day events for competitive players aged 11 to 18 which are also qualifiers 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. For more information on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, please visit www.maplejt.com