Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 26-27, 2019
Whistler, BC

Im on fire at MJT Big Max Series in Whistler

Whistler, BC – (August 28, 2019) – Over 70 participants reaching as far east as Ontario and as far south as Washington State came out to one of the most scenic venues in British Columbia to participate in the MJT Big Max Series at Whistler Golf Club, Whistler, on August 26 and 27, the last event of the summer season on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour. Players competed in  beautiful weather on the stunning course for titles in seven divisions as well as spots into the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship presented by TaylorMade and adidas Golf at the Reunion Resort in Florida this November.

A sizzling score of 66 on day one drew the spotlight onto Danny Im, 15, who made seven birdies to shoot six under in the MJT Juvenile Boys division. The star golfer from Langley, BC, followed up his first day brilliance with an even-par 72 and two-day total of 138 to win the division by four shots. “Coming down the stretch, I was thinking about how all my hard work has paid off,” commented Im, who took home his second consecutive Hoselton trophy. Fifteen-year-old Burly Hildreth from Orcas Island, WA, carded an excellent pair of one under, 71s (142) to take second place.

The MJT Bantam Boys title was won in style by Whistler’s own Stewart Walker, 14, who made an impressive comeback in his first MJT event of the season to shoot a four under par 68 on day two, finishing the tournament with a total score of 144 (76, 68). Walker, who was sitting three shots back of the lead after the first day, made six birdies during his second round. “I didn’t really know how the [leaders] were doing,” he said. “I just focused on my game and played my hardest.” Coming in tied for second place were Vancouver, BC’s Nathan Szpakowicz (77, 74 = 151), 13, and Langley’s Caleb Davies (76, 75 = 151), 14.

Outstanding play from Langley’s Erin Lee, 14, reinforced her stellar 2019 season with victory after playing up a division in MJT Girls 15-18. Lee recorded impressive rounds of 73 and 70 (143), including nine birdies total. “I was very proud because I moved up a division and still managed to win,” commented Lee. “I enjoy playing in the MJT tournaments. I think everything they do is great.” Minji Choi (84, 81 = 165), 18, of Coquitlam and Sueah Park (83, 82 = 165), 15, of Langley, tied for second place.

The MJT Girls U15 title was won by 10-year-old standout, Anna Huang, of Vancouver. Huang carded consistent scores of 76 and 75 (151), making seven birdies during her two rounds. Surrey, BC-golfer, Jingwen (Anna) Dai, 11, finished second, shooting 80 and 73 (153) over the two days.

Andy Liu, 11, of Surrey, managed to keep his game steady and hold on to win the MJT Peewee Boys division. Liu, who was met by a comeback from second-place finisher, Sukhraj Singh Gill, mid-way through the second round, stayed positive and continued to play his game. “Coming down the stretch, I knew that I was down by three shots,” mentioned Liu. “I tried to keep in the good parts of my round and not think too much about the scores. In the end I caught up and won.” Liu finished with scores of 75 and 72 (147) to win his first career MJT title. Gill, 11, also of Surrey, carded scores of 76 and 74 (150) to finish three shots back.

An exciting finish took place in the MJT Junior Boys division where Mackenzie Bickell, 17, of Richmond, BC, emerged victorious by a single shot. Bickell, who shared the lead after the first round, got off to a good start in his second round going even par in his front nine. A couple of falters in the middle of the back nine made things interesting, but Bickell finished with three pars to hold on and earn his first career MJT win in only his second start. “During the last stretch, I just wanted to get things back on track,” he said. “I had a couple of bad holes and I wasn’t hitting the ball as well as I had liked. But I played smart and finished strong.”  Ties for second place at 152 total score went to Richmond’s Hudson Squirell (77, 75), 17, who made two birdies in his last three holes of the tournament, and MJT veteran player, Riley Geiger (75, 77), 18, of Langley.

The event’s Collegiate division was won by Oakville, ON’s Connor Riley, with rounds of 80 and 74 (154). The 21-year-old player from Brown University had a tough go on the first day but managed to bring the game back on the second day. “My short iron play was the strongest part of my game,” commented Riley. “With that, my putting was inside of 10 feet was also solid.”

For PLYR Long Drive, PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin and the MJT Booster Juice Comeback Award winners, please visit the highlights page for the tournament here. Players earning exemptions into the National Championship will be contacted directly by MJT Head Office.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in BC is not until October 12 and 13, and is the always wait-listed MJT Ford Series at Mayfair Lakes Golf Course in Richmond. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.

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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 close to 80 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7 to 12 year olds, the Collegiate Tour for 19 to 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, see www.maplejt.com.