Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

April 14-15, 2018
Chilliwack, BC

Over 100 participate in MJT Ford Series events at Chilliwack G&CC

Chilliwack, BC – (April 16, 2018) – Over 100 young athletes descended on Chilliwack Golf and Country Club in Chilliwack, BC, over the April 14 and 15 weekend, to take part in either the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s MJT Ford Series Tournament or the MJT Ford Go Golf! Junior Clinic sponsored by Chilliwack Ford. The clinic offered a free introduction to golf for boys and girls ages 6 and 12, and the tournament was for competitive players vying for titles in seven age divisions, a direct exemption into the BC Junior Boys Championship, short-listed positions for the US Kids and Teen World Golf Championships, and the chance to win a new Ford Focus with a hole-in-one.

Low Overall and the MJT Junior Boys 17-18 Hoselton trophy was won by Ronnie Postnikoff, 17, of Courtenay, BC, after he fired rounds of 77-73 (150) and also secured the exemption in the BC Junior Boys Championship this July.  Cole Wilson, 17, of Kelowna, BC (79-72=151) finished one shot back after a difficult first day.  Postnikoff stated afterwards, “Being able to close out the tournament with lots of kids in contention felt great.  I’ve struggled quite a bit and winning this week really shows me that I’m close. The course really fit my game – I was able to shape the ball off the tee and was comfortable hitting driver. My putting was also lights out this week – I made a few long putts and felt like I made almost everything inside 10 feet.”

Minho Sung, 16, of Abbotsford, BC, captured the MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 title with a two-day total of 151 (78-73), winning by four strokes over Theo Sekulic, 16, of Rycroft, AB who finished at 155 (78-77).  "Thinking good thoughts and just having strong mental game helped me win," said Sung.  "Chipping in on hole 11 for eagle was a highlight. It feels amazing, really proud of myself, and thankful for the great weather."

The MJT Bantam Boys 13-14 Hoselton trophy went to division standout Bailey Bjornson, 14, of Surrey, BC, who fired a two-under-par 142 (70-72) to win by five strokes over Ethan Posthumus, 12, of Coquitlam, BC, who was playing up a division. Bjornson said he putted very well, which saved him.  "I hit a drive to one foot on hole 6 and made an eagle to bounce back from a bogey, so I feel great as I played well and grinded it out when needed.”

Among the MJT Peewee Boys 11-12, Surrey’s Justin Bjornson, 12, kept the wins in the family and shot 70,79 (149) to win his division’s title by four strokes over Ryan Liang, 11, of Vancouver, BC. “My first hole was great as I got the green in two. Then my putting helped me all tournament, and just not giving up,” said Bjornson on his victory. As for his goals for the remainder of the season, he would like to ‘continue playing solid golf and hopefully win a few more.’

Angela Zhang, 16, of Vancouver, posted brilliant back-to-back rounds under par, firing 69-70 (139) to claim the Girls Low Overall and 15-18 Division title with her five-under-par total, crediting her ‘resilience, confidence and tranquility’ as helping her win.  “I bounced back after a three putt start on the first hole on day two. It feels great, I’m glad to know my hard work is paying off.  It pushes me to work even harder."  Finishing two back with an incredible weekend as well was 15-year old Emma Yang of Langley, BC, who shot three-under-par (68-73=141).

It was a tough battle in the competitive MJT Girls U15 Division which came down to the final hole.  The title was scooped by Erin Lee, 12, of Langley, BC, (76-78=154) after she managed to secure a one stroke victory over Luna Lu, 11, of Burnaby, BC (75-80=155). “My swing helped me and my playing partners were really nice and supportive,” Lee said. “I had a chip in on hole 8 and a long putt on hole 11 on day one. The win feels great because I was tied ‘til the 18th hole."

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 Junior Tour stop on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour in BC is the MJT Ford Series at Morgan Creek Golf Club in Surrey on April 28 and 29, a qualifier for Canada’s spots into the 2018 Future Champions Golf (FCG) Callaway World Championship at Westin Mission Hills Resort, Rancho Mirage, CA, July 16-18, as well as for spots into the International Players Championship at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper, AB, August 13-15. 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

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