Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

March 22-23, 2021
Pitt Meadows, BC

Three playoffs highlight MJT’s Golden Eagle stop

Pitt Meadows, BC – (March 24, 2021) – The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s number-one played Junior Golf Tour, continued its 23rd season in Pitt Meadows, BC, March 22 and 23, with the MJT Spring Series at Golden Eagle Golf Club. Following strict COVID-19 protocols in accordance with the province of BC, the MJT carried on where it left off last week ensuring the health and safety of all athletes and personnel.

After both shooting excellent matching total scores of three-under-par in the MJT Bantam Boys Division, 14-year-old Eric Joo, of Coquitlam, BC, took home low score honors over 14-year-old Ryan Liang, of Vancouver, BC, by making a birdie on the second extra hole of play. Joo had a solid start on the first day carding a score of 72 but stepped his game up another level on the second day making four birdies on his way to a three-under 69 (141). “It feels great to come back and shoot a good score,” commented Joo. Liang’s fine scores were 69 and 72 (141).

19-year-old MJT veteran player Angela Zhang, of Vancouver, BC, made a statement in her first outing in 2021 by picking up the low overall girls score and MJT Girls 15-19 Division low score honors. Zhang stood out in front after an opening round of 72 and started her second day off strong making three birdies in her opening nine holes. From there she cruised to a 71 (143) and finished under par for the two days. “I was focused and talking to the ball for every shot I hit,” said Zhang. “It was a lot of fun and feels great to come out on top.”

Edging out the low score honors in the MJT Girls U15 Division was 13-year-old Ling Yu (Katherine) Hao, of Burnaby, BC. Hao recorded rock solid rounds of 73 and 72 (145) which included eight birdies. “I played the par three’s really well,” commented Hao, who birdied three of the four par three’s on the North Course at Golden Eagle Golf Club. “I enjoyed being out on the golf course and pushing myself harder and harder each time.” Finishing just one shot behind was 14-year-old Cadence Ko, of Richmond, BC, with scores of 72 and 74 (146).

18-year-old Adrian Murray, of Delta, BC, made a clutch birdie on the first extra hole to take home the low score honors in the MJT Junior Boys Division over 17-year-old Willy Bishop, of Victoria, BC, after both had fired the same solid total score of 149. Murray, who carded an opening round of 75, made two birdies in his back nine on the second round pushing through to a score of 74 (149) to force extra holes. “I didn’t quite play my best,” commented Murray. “But I hung in there and made a birdie at a critical time which felt awesome.” Bishop’s scores were 71 and 78 (149).

And once again, in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division, matching low scores carded by Whistler, BC’s Stewart Walker, 15, (75-76=151),and Delta, BC’s Charlie Derrheim, 15, (74-77=151) led to extra holes. Walker’s par on the first extra hole handed him low score honours. “I loved being able to play and get the season off to a good start,” he commented. “I’ve spent a lot of time training in the gym over the off season and it showed as I was hitting the ball a lot further and my driving has improved.”

Burnaby’s Jeevyn Lotay, 11, continued his spectacular play at Golden Eagle shooting scores of 75 and 80 (155) to secure the low score honors in the MJT Peewee Boys Division. Lotay has had a great start to the 2021 season with another fine performance last week at University Golf Club. “I was playing with some new clubs and it felt great to play well and break them in,” he commented.

All scores can be viewed on the MJT website here. The MJT is in Surrey, BC, with the MJT Chad Hippsley Real Estate Classic at Morgan Creek Golf Course, on April 10 and 11. More information on the program can be found online at www.maplejt.com. 

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 member functions across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 12U, and multi-day stops for players aged 11-19. 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.