Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 19-20, 2021
Tsawwassen, BC

Canada’s major finale for golfers aged 12U crowns six MJT Mini Tour National Champions; incredible 66, 69 low overall score

Tsawwassen, BC – (August 21, 2021) – Canada’s number-one played Tour for young golfers, the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, hosted the major finale in the country for golfers aged seven to 12 in Tsawwassen, BC, on August 19 and 20 - the MJT Mini Tour National Championship at Tsawwassen Springs. The event featured two days of competition with players qualifying from across Canada based on their performances in their regional MJT Mini Tour circuits. Playing in fair weather on the first day and rainy conditions on the second, the young athletes competed for coveted National Championship titles in six divisions on the well-manicured Tsawwassen Springs golf course, with the Low Overall Boy and Girl earning exemptions into the three-day World Amateur Golf-ranked MJT National Championship presented by TaylorMade and adidas Golf at Morgan Creek Golf Course in Surrey, BC, October 8 to 11. 

Spectacular scoring highlighted results with 12-year-old Jim Zhu, of Vancouver, BC, winning the MJT Boys 11-12 Mini Tour National Champion’s title after blazing his way around the course, shooting sizzling hot scores of 66 and 69 (135) from the blue tees. “I felt great to win the [Mini Tour] National Championship,” commented Zhu, who carded two consecutive rounds under par for the first time on the MJT. “My coach and caddy helped me win here and win throughout the season.” Ryan LePrieur, 12, of Langley, BC, and Tiger Xie, 10, of Surrey, BC, both recorded scores of 77 and 74 (151) to finish tied for second place.

The MJT Girls 11-12 Mini Tour National Championship title went to 12-year-old Rose Chen, of Langley, BC. Chen, who picked up three wins on the MJT Mini Tour circuit this year, capped off an impressive season by winning the finale with strong scores of 75 and 74 (149). “My putting was the best part of my game,” commented Chen, who has evolved into one of the great putters on the MJT Mini Tour. “It feels great to be the [Mini Tour] National Champion.” Twelve-year-old Cici Liang, of Vancouver, BC, was runner-up with scores of 75 and 76 (151) while Yeeun Kwon, 12, also of Vancouver, finished in third place with scores of 75 and 79 (154).

The MJT Boys 9-10 Mini Tour National Champion was 10-year-old Matthew Cui, of Burnaby, BC, who fired two excellent rounds of 70 and 69 (139) to win the title by six shots. Cui, after his runner-up finish last week at the 55th annual MJT Harry White Little Masters, built off that momentum to peak at the right time. “I worked really hard before the National Championship and I’m really glad it paid off,” said Cui. “Every great player has great technique, but my mental game was responsible for getting me the win.” After a season filled with victories on the MJT Mini Tour, 10-year-old Tiger Zhao, of Vancouver shot a great final round of 69 to finish as runner-up (76-69=145). Last year’s MJT Boys 8U Mini Tour National Champion Jackson Wang, of Surrey, BC, rounded the podium in third place (71-75=146).

Eight-year-old Bentley Hoogerdyk was crowned MJT Boys 8U Mini Tour National Champion after finishing runner-up in this tournament in 2020. The Victoria, BC, young golfer shot outstanding scores of 67 and 71 (138), which included an albatross on the first day. “I felt good going into the tournament,” commented Hoogerdyk. “I drove the ball well both days and even though I didn’t make many putts, my speed control was good.” After struggling to find his game in the first round, eight-year-old Jayden Yang, of Vancouver, BC, finished the tournament in second place after a comeback (80-72=152).

Grace Guan, 10, of Vancouver, took home the MJT Mini Tour Girls 9-10 National Championship title with solid scores of 74 and 80 (154). Guan, who put herself in great position to win after her opening round, kept her composure enough on the second day to win by three shots. “I was nervous coming in because it was a national tournament,” commented Guan. “I made a lot of up and downs and my short game was responsible for my win.” After an opening round of 86, 10-year-old Satnam Gill, of Surrey, BC, carded a great final round score of 71 (157) to climb up the leaderboard into the runner-up position.

Eight-year-old Sedona Weitz, of Calgary, AB, represented her province remarkably, winning the MJT Mini Tour Girls 8U National Championship title as well as the Long Drive prize in her division. Weitz recorded scores of 79 and 87 (166) for a three-shot victory. “I’m very proud of myself for winning this tournament,” commented Weitz. “My putting was what got me the win.” Tied for runner-up position at a score of 169 were eight-year-old Laura Zhao, (86 and 83) and seven-year-old Lucy Li, (85 and 84), both of Vancouver, BC.

The MJT Booster Juice Bounceback Awards for best improvement in score in round two from round one went to Laura Zhao of Vancouver, BC, Kathleen Dunn of Surrey, BC, Aliyah Hull of Chestermere, AB, Oscar Gosgnach of Edmonton, AB, Austin Nesbitt of Pilot Butte, SK, and Hunter Oakden of Brandon, MB.

MJT Tim Hortons Closest-to-the-Pin awards went to Avva Nguyen of Richmond, BC, Grace Odnokon of Saskatoon, SK, Jack Guo of West Vancouver, BC, and Benson White of Calgary, AB, while the MJT Tim Hortons Long Drive winners were Sedona Weitz of Calgary, AB, Grace Guan of Vancouver, BC, Saylar May of Rocky Mountain House, AB, Bentley Hoogerdyk of Victoria, BC, Matthew Cui of Burnaby, BC, and Tyson Valk of North Vancouver, BC.

Low Overall winners Jim Zhu and Rose Chen both receive exemptions into the three-day major WAGR-ranked MJT National Championship presented by TaylorMade and adidas Golf. For more information, please visit 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 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