Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 22-23, 2019
Tsawwassen, BC

Two Playoffs needed in MJT Mini Tour National Championship Over 100 youth participate in tournament and clinic

Tsawwassen, BC – (August 24, 2019) – Players aged 12 and under from across BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba gathered to cap off the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s successful Mini Tour season in Tsawwassen, BC, this past week, competing in the MJT Mini Tour National Championship presented by Ford Canada at Tsawwassen Springs, August 22 and 23 . Complimenting the National Championship was a packed MJT Ford Go Golf! Junior Clinic sponsored by Cam Clark Ford Richmond, held simultaneously at Tsawwassen Springs to introduce boys and girls to the game of golf for free. Between the tournament and the clinic, well over 100 very young kids took part, heralding a great future for the sport.

Extra holes were needed in a playoff to crown the MJT Boys 8U National Champion after Bennett Love, 8, of Red Deer, AB (73, 73), and Tiger Zhao, 8, of Vancouver, BC (72, 74), both scored incredibly well from the 3,000-yard modified tee at Tsawwassen Springs and tied for the lead at a total score of 146 in their division. In the end, it was Love who stepped up on the first playoff hole and drained a seven-foot birdie putt to win the National Championship title. “I just focused on hitting one shot at a time coming down the stretch,” he commented. “I was happy with the way I putted on day one and the way I drove the ball on day two.” Zhao, who made three birdies in his final four holes to force the playoff, took home a runner-up finish. Third place and only one shot behind was eight-year-old, Matthew Cui, of Burnaby, BC, who fired scores of 77 and 70 (147).

Nine-year-old, Jonathon Xia, of Surrey, BC, came back from being down two shots after the first day become the MJT Boys 9-10 National Champion. Xia (79, 74 = 153) played his last six holes of the tournament at even par including a birdie on 18 to secure the victory. “I played good overall,” said Xia. “I was happy with all parts of my game.” 10-year-old, Ethan Zeng, of Vancouver, who carried the lead going into the second round, shot consistent scores of 77 and 77 (154) to take second place. Coming off his recent win in the MJT Harry White Little Masters at Kings Links by the Sea was 10-year-old, Jaden August, of Pitt Meadows, BC, who carded rounds of 79 and 78 (157) to place third.

11-year-old, Michael Li, of Vancouver, fired rock solid rounds of 73 and 76 (149) from the Blue Tees to become MJT Boys 11-12 National Champion. Li had an impressive start to the tournament making three birdies in his first seven holes and continued his strong performance for the rest of the event. “The strongest part of my game was definitely my putting and chipping. It saved me when I needed it and helped me make my birdies,” he stated. Finishing four shots back in second place was Surrey’s Sukhraj Singh Gill, 11, who shot 79 and 74 (153). Third place sent to Andy Liu, 11, of Surrey, who scored 80 and 75 (155).

Jingwen (Anna) Dai, 11, of Surrey, continued her fine play on the MJT by winning the MJT Girls 11-12 National Championship title. Dai, who trailed by one shot after the first round, stayed very consistent the entire second day making 16 pars. “My driver was the strongest part of my game,” she said. “And I made all of my short putts.” Capping off an impressive Mini Tour season while playing up a division was 10-year-old, Anna Huang. The Vancouver star player finished second in the division with scores of 76 and 77 (153). Kaitlyn Anderson, 12, of South Surrey, placed third with rounds of 80 and 88 (168).

The gallery came out to watch the second playoff that took place between 10-year-old, Yeeun Kwon, of Winnipeg, MB (75, 73=158), and nine-year-old, Lucy Lin, of Vancouver (74, 84=158), in the Girls 9-10 Division. After both players made par on the first playoff hole, another par by Lin on the second playoff hole secured her MJT Girls 9-10 National Championship title. “I really enjoyed this tournament,” she commented. “I want to thank the staff for doing a great job organizing, especially in the playoff, and I made a new friend in Yeeun.”

Eight-year-old Sky (Haneul) Park, of Surrey, who has already been playing golf for three years, came out to shoot back-to-back rounds of 80 to finish with a solid total score of 160 in the MJT Girls 8U Division.

Full results including PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin competition winners are posted on the MJT website here. The MJT wishes to thank all the players and families for their outstanding support and looks forward to next season.

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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.

Media Contact:  Sadiq Jiwa, Marketing Coordinator, sjiwa@maplejt.com