Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 20-21, 2020
Vernon, BC

Humphreys’ 71, 68 highlights hot scoring in MJT’s Ford Series at Predator Ridge

Vernon, BC – (July 22, 2020) - The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour was back in action in BC on July 20 and 21, rolling into the first of two wait-listed events in the interior. First stop was the high-profile MJT Ford Series at Predator Ridge Resort in Vernon. The field featured some of the top talent from across BC and Alberta, who played in beautiful sunshine and scorching temperatures for both rounds on the magnificent Predator Ridge course, under new MJT health and safety protocols. The event also had a Ford Hole in One Contest presented by Watkin Motors, which Annalise Stolzenberg of Langley came the closest to winning.

Hot scoring from 15-year old Cooper Humphreys led to him winning the Low Overall and MJT Juvenile Boys title, after he blazed around the championship course firing scores of 71 and 68 (139). The Kelowna-native, who picked up his second 2020 MJT title with his outstanding performance, said, “I wanted to play with no fear. I made a big putting change and it worked out well. It means a lot because I really wanted to win.”

Coming back to win the MJT Junior Boys Division title by a single shot was 18-year old Russell Howlett. The Tsawwassen, BC-golfer fired great scores of 74 and 71 (145) to pick up his first career MJT victory. “My strategy was to stay aggressive off the tee and give myself as many short distances as I could,’ said Howlett. “Kyle Mayner and I were within a shot of each other in the closing holes – the putt on 18 was what sealed the win. I am excited to win and looking forward to the rest of the season.” 17-year old Mayner, of Kelowna, had to settle for second place with solid scores of 75 and 71 (146).

The Low Overall Girls score and MJT Girls 15-19 title was won in style by MJT veteran-champion Erin Lee, 15, of Langley, BC. The talented Lee, who has been a regular on the top of the MJT leaderboards over the years, picked up her first 2020 win at Predator Ridge after firing excellent scores of 68 and 74 (142). “The win feels great – I didn’t play any MJT events since March and it was great playing another one,” she said.

Vernon-local Ryan Vest, 14, defended his 2019 MJT Bantam Boys title at Predator Ridge with excellent scores of 71 and 70 (141). Vest made seven birdies over the two rounds to win by two shots. “I was happy to play some solid golf,” commented Vest about his first 2020 MJT win. “I just tried to play as best as I could.”

Yeji Kwon, 14, of Port Coquitlam, BC, pulled ahead to victory in the MJT Girls U15 Division with great scores of 74 and 72 (146). Kwon, who was tied for the lead after the first round, made four birdies in her second round to win by six shots. “I drove the ball really good during both rounds,” commented Kwon. “It’s an honour to win and I’m looking forward to the next one.” Kwon, who has dominated the podium in the first three BC Junior Tour events of the season, will look to make it four in a couple days’ time at Okanagan Golf Club.

Eric Li, 12, of Port Coquitlam, BC, completed the comeback in the MJT Peewee Boys Division. Li, who came off a MJT Mini Tour win at Cultus Lake in BC less than two weeks ago, picked up his first career Junior Tour win at Predator Ridge. “My game plan was to be patient for each hole,” commented Li. “I knew I had won on the last hole and it means a lot for me to win.” 

Full results from the event can be viewed here. The Junior Tour continues in Kelowna on July 23 and 24 for the MJT Interior Swing presented by PLYR Golf at Okanagan Golf Club. More information is online at www.maplejt.com.

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 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 supported by valued Premier, Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts close to 90 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 12U and multi-day events for competitive players aged 11-19 which also offer qualifiers for international tournaments. The program has annual awards, scholarships and incentives to help reward 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 the provincial, national, university and professional levels.

Media Contact: Sadiq Jiwa, MJT Marketing and Communications Manager, sjiwa@maplejt.com