Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 14, 2019
Cultus Lake, BC

Hole-in-one and great scores highlight MJT Mini Tour at Cultus Lake

Cultus Lake, BC – (July 15, 2019) – British Columbia’s division of the Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour moved eastward to the Fraser Valley on July 14 for another 12 and under tournament, holding the MJT Mini Tour at Cultus Lake Golf Club in Cultus Lake. A course in great condition hosted a talented field of young golfers competing in six divisions, as well for as spots into the MJT Mini Tour National Championship presented by Ford Canada in Tsawwassen, BC, at the end of August.

Highlighting the tournament was 11-year-old  Vancouver, BC resident, Shiran (Ryan) Ding, who sank a Hole-in-One on the 100-yard eighth hole. Ding finished with a 75 for tie-fifth in the MJT Boys 11-12 division, which was won by Chilliwack, BC-resident, Maxim McKenzie. McKenzie fired a brilliant even-par 63 for the title. The 11-year-old star, who has been transitioning to the Junior Tour, said, “It feels awesome to win and to chip in for birdie on 18 was really special.” Ian Pashkewych, of Gibsons, BC, 12, shot 72 to finish runner-up.

An exciting finish took place in the MJT Boys 9-10 Division between nine-year-olds, Jeevyn Lotay, of Burnaby, BC, and Jonathon Xia, of Surrey, BC. After nine holes, Lotay (73) had a two-shot lead over Xia (74) but it was quickly eradicated with Xia’s birdie on hole 12. With the two players tied on the last hole, a bogey by Lotay would prove to be enough to claim first place in the division. “I was a little nervous at the end, but it was a really exciting finish and I was very happy with the way I played,” said Lotay. “The Mini Tour events are awesome and I love playing in them, especially when I get a win.”

Vancouver’s Tiger Zhao carded a 65 to win the MJT Boys 8U Division. The eight-year old player has already proved he can play on the Junior Tour by competing multiple times in the Peewee Boys division. Zhao, who just came back off a 32nd place finish at the IMG Academy Junior World Championship in La Jolla, CA, obtained his second MJT Mini Tour win of 2019 at Cultus Lake. “I got off to a great start,” said Zhao who birdied three of his first six holes. “From there, I just kept playing my game.” Coming off a win one week ago at the MJT Mini Tour at Greenacres Golf Course, eight-year-old Ryu Shiina of North Vancouver, BC finished in the runner-up position with a score of 73.

In the MJT Girls 11-12 Division, Surrey, BC-native, Ha Young Chang, carded a 71 to take a two-shot victory over West Vancouver-resident, Claudia Zhang (73), 12. The 11-year-old Chang has had an illustrious start to her MJT career, picking up her third win. “I made a few long putts in the final holes of the tournament,” she said, attributing her win to her work with the flatstick.

Chereen Ting, 10, of Vancouver, shot a 90 to win the MJT Girls 9-10 title over Tammy Gong, 9, of Surrey, BC. Ting, who struggled at the beginning of her round, improved her back nine by six shots from her front. “I felt pretty nervous initially, but once I started, I got more comfortable,” commented Ting, who was playing in her first ever Mini Tour event.

The MJT Girls 8U Division was captured by eight-year old, Cindy Cheng, of Surrey. Cheng, who was also playing in her first ever MJT Mini Tour event, shot a 78 to win the division by four shots over eight-year old, Bella Xi (82), of Surrey. “I made a nice birdie on 17,” said Cheng who needed that birdie to secure her victory.

Full results including PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin competition winners are posted on the MJT website here. The final 12 and under event in BC before the MJT Mini Tour National Championship is the MJT Harry White Little Masters at Kings Links by the Sea in Delta on August 12 and 13. Registration for the event can be done on the MJT website.

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.