Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour
The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
July 17-18, 2023
Kamloops, BC
Lotay brothers take titles in MJT Ford Series at Rivershore; Dober and Miao shortlisted for MJT National Team Challenge
It was great to see over 100 youth come out to participate in events hosted by Canada’s number one-played Junior Tour at Rivershore Golf Links in Kamloops, BC, July 17 through 19, all sponsored by MJT Premier Partner, Ford Canada. The events included a free junior golf clinic courtesy of Kamloops Ford Lincoln to introduce kids in the community to the game on July 19, and the MJT Ford Series, a two-day, high-level tournament for 19U golfers on July 17 and 18. Results of the latter, where players were competing for titles in six divisions plus the opportunity to win a 2024 Ford Escape valued at $40,000 in a Ford Hole in One contest,are highlighted below.
A crazy weather pattern in the area stormed in with a heavy downpour on the first day, with lightning and thunder pausing play and never leaving. The first day’s competitive round was then cancelled for the players’ safety, shortening the tournament to 18 holes on day two, which played out in the heat. Top finisher scores and quotes from the winners are noted below, while results from the TaylorMade Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points can be found on the MJT website here. Highlights included seeing the Lotay brothers from Burnaby, BC, both winning titles in their respective divisions of Peewee and Bantam Boys, and Dara Miao, 15, of White Rock, BC, and Finley Dober, 15, of Kelowna, BC, claimed Low Overall Girl and Boy honours respectively. Dober and Miao are now shortlisted for the MJT National Team Challenge presented by Canada Life at Royal Niagara Golf Club in Ontario this September.
The next event in the province is the MJT Nicola Wealth Classic at Okanagan Golf Club in Kelowna, BC, July 20 and 21, another qualifier for the MJT National Team Challenge. For more information on the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, please visit the website at www.maplejt.com.
Top Finishers
MJT Girls U15: Rivershore: Par 72, Ydg 5458, Slope/Rating 126/71.4
1 Rikki Liu, Vancouver, BC, F, 11 (87)
2 Kailie Matthews, Kelowna, BC, F, 14 (94)
3 Grace Murphy, Lethbridge, AB, F, 14 (95)
Rikki Liu, 11, of Vancouver, BC, played in her very first Junior Tour stop very well and won the MJT U15 Girls Division title. “This was my first win as a first year playing tournaments, so it felt absolutely amazing,” said Liu. “It was a great learning experience as well because I got to play with older players.”
MJT Girls 15-19: Rivershore: Par 72, Ydg 6007, Slope/Rating 133/71.5
1 Dara Miao, White Rock, BC, F, 15 (78)
2 Darwyn Kormany, Kelowna, BC, F, 16 (96)
Dara Miao, 15, of White Rock, BC, was solid all day to win the MJT Girls 15-19 Division title, the only girl to break 80 in extremely challenging conditions. “It feels rewarding after playing the round under the blazing sun,” said Miao. “I tried to make the most of my mistakes and made two back-to-back birdies from over 15 feet.”
MJT Peewee Boys: Rivershore: Par 72, Ydg 5458, Slope/Rating 110/66.5
1 Haarjun Lotay, Burnaby, BC, M, 12 (74)
2 Gordon Chen, Port Moody, BC, M, 12 (81)
2 Dylan Pandher, Delta, BC, M, 12 (81)
The MJT Peewee Boys Division title was won in style by 13-year-old Haarjun Lotay of Burnaby, BC, who made it to the top of the podium with a seven stroke victory. “It feels wonderful to win this week because it is my first win on the junior tour!” said Lotay. “Just hitting good shots, keeping it in bounds and staying calm was the plan.”
MJT Bantam Boys: Rivershore: Par 72, Ydg 6351, Slope/Rating 120/70.7
1 Jeevyn Lotay, Burnaby, BC, M, 13 (71)
2 Tyson Valk, North Vancouver, BC, M, 13 (72)
3 Luke Traverse, Revelstoke, BC, M, 13 (77)
Joining his brother in the winner’s circle but in the MJT Bantam Boys Division was Jeevyn Lotay, 13, of Burnaby, BC, who came out firing with a one-under par 71, edging his nearest competitor by one shot after making par on the final hole. “It feels amazing to finally break through and it was a sigh of relief from me,” said Lotay. “I really tried to not give away shots and focus on all my shots.”
MJT Juvenile Boys: Rivershore: Par 72, Ydg 6708, Slope/Rating 128/72.1
1 Finley Dober, Kelowna, BC, M, 15 (69)
2 Christopher Thomson, Kelowna, BC, M, 15 (73)
3 Austin Krahn, Christina Lake, BC, M, 15 (76)
The MJT Juvenile Boys Division and Low Overall Boys title went to 15-year-old Finley Dober of Kelowna, BC, who shot a fantastic 69 on the tricky Rivershore track. “It feels good to win this weekend as I am coming off a bad tournament so it’s nice to get the confidence back up,” said Dober.
MJT Junior Boys: Rivershore: Par 72, Ydg 6708, Slope/Rating 128/72.1
1 Mitchell Krahn, Christina Lake, BC, M, 17 (72)
2 Christos Vassilopoulos, Nanaimo, BC, M, 18 (74)
3 Kyle Dale, Kelowna, BC, M, 17 (75)
Mitchell Krahn, 17, of Christina Lake, BC, finally broke through and finished the day with a great score of even par to win the MJT Junior Boys Division title by two strokes over his nearest rival. “It feels awesome to finally get a win,” said Krahn. “It’s been a long time coming!”
Qualifiers: Short-Listed Positions:
MJT National Team Challenge presented by Canada Life at Royal Niagara GC: Dara Miao (White Rock, BC) and Finley Dober (Kelowna, BC)
About Ford Canada: Ford of Canada and the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) are proud to continue with the successful MJT Ford Go Golf! Junior Clinics - an initiative that introduces golf for free to young people, teaching them a game they can benefit from their entire lives. Many thousands of kids have participated in this program since 2006. Clinics have been held in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan where participating Ford Dealers offer free MJT Ford Go Golf! Junior Clinics conducted by PGA of Canada Professionals to children in their community. Ford and the Ford Dealers Association wish to support amateur sport in their communities by introducing children to golf, encouraging them to learn the fundamentals, and rewarding them for their efforts. 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 100 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: Trent Matson, tmatson@maplejt.com, Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour
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