Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 19-20, 2021
Kamloops, BC

Xu drives off with low overall honours from MJT Ford Series at Rivershore

Kamloops, BC – (July 21, 2021) – The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour successfully completed the first event of the BC interior swing on July 19 and 20 in Kamloops, BC, where a full field competed for titles in six divisions in the MJT Ford Series at Rivershore Golf Links, a site that will host the 2022 Canadian Junior Boys Championship. Windy and smoky conditions prevailed in Kamloops, where the MJT Ford Series tournament was followed by a Kamloops Ford Go Golf Junior Clinic, offering young kids in the community a free introduction to the game from PGA of BC Professionals. 

The competitive players had the chance to win a new Ford car with a hole-in-one during the tournament, while taking advantage of the opportunity to accumulate valuable points on the MJT Order of Merit presented by RBC and trying to qualify for the MJT National Championship.

The MJT Juvenile Boys title and Low Overall Honours was won by 15-year-old Daniel Xu, of Richmond, BC. Xu, who was competing in only his second event on the 2021 MJT BC circuit, fired 69 and 74 (143) and was the only player to finish under par on the first day. “I thought that my game was very well suited to the course,” he stated. “My iron play was very consistent throughout the tournament, and I was able to keep the ball on the fairway off the tee.” Runner-up was 2020 MJT Player of the Year Cooper Humphreys, 16, of Kelowna, BC, who fired a pair of 74s (148).

Cranbrook, BC’s Jonace Johnson, 19, made his MJT debut in the Junior Boys Division and won his first ever MJT title. Johnson finished the tournament with a one-shot victory, recording rounds of 72 and 73 (145) including five birdies. “I felt like I played well,” he commented. “I felt good going into the tournament, prepared well, and it feels awesome to get the win.” Johnson will make his second appearance right away at the upcoming MJT Nicola Wealth Classic at Okanagan Golf Club later this week. Runner-up in the division was Burnaby, BC, golfer Denby Carswell, 17, who shot 72 and 74 (146), while Kelowna, BC, native Jeremy Laverdiere, 18, finished third with scores of 78 and 70 (148).  Laverdiere was the only player of the entire competition to finish with a second round score under par.

Taking the MJT Girls 15-19 title was 17-year-old Abby Chow, of Coquitlam, BC, who has accumulated a handful of runner-up finishes in five years with the MJT and now made her first trip to the winner’s circle with her play at Rivershore Golf Links.  The MJT veteran shot 73 and 77 (150) to win by just a single shot. “Going into the tournament, I felt pretty confident with my game,” said Chow. “I feel really great about this win as it’s my first win on the MJT BC circuit.” Runner-up was Richmond, BC, golfer Elise Liu, 14, who finished the tournament with scores of 78 and 73 (151). Liu also won the division’s MJT Booster Juice BounceBack award for most improved score in round two from round one.

The MJT Bantam Boys Division witnessed 14-year-old Max Osten, of Delta, BC, earn his first win on the MJT Junior Tour with solid scores of 75 and 76 (151). Osten’s last MJT win came on the Mini Tour in 2019, and he has slowly made his way back up the leaderboards in the last 18 months to finish at the top of the podium. “My game was far from perfect,” commented Osten, when asked about the key to his victory. “I made some long putts in the second round to secure the victory.” Three players finished tied for second place in the division: 14-year-old Harvey Liu (77-76 = 153) of Surrey, BC, 13-year-old Louis Chun (76-77 = 153) of Port Coquitlam, BC, and 13-year-old Jerry Li (76-77 = 153) of Vancouver, BC.

Vancouver golfer Jim Zhu, 12, has certainly made his name on the MJT in 2021 as he earned his third win of the season at Rivershore Golf Links. Zhu fired 78 and 73 (151), making four birdies over the 36 holes of competition. “I was not as good with my putting this week as I was in other MJT tournaments,” commented Zhu, who relied on other strengths in his game to finish on top. “I had a great day with my irons and I have some great people who are helping me.”

Taking home the title in the MJT Girls U15 Division with scores of 77 and 83 (160) was 13-year-old Hui Yu, of Burnaby, BC. “I felt nervous going into the tournament, but more relaxed as I started playing,” Yu stated afterwards, when talking about her first ever MJT Junior Tour title.

The MJT Booster Juice BounceBack award winners for most improved score in round two over round one were Elise Liu, Zachary Wong, Jesse Roessler, Mitchell Krahn and Jackson Gilbert.

The next stop on the MJT Interior Swing in BC is the MJT Nicola Wealth Classic at Okanagan Golf Club in Kelowna on July 22 and 23. More details can be found online at www.maplejt.com.

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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