Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour
The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
May 27, 2023
Richmond, BC
Hot scoring from select field in MJT Mini Tour Order of Merit Invitational at Quilchena
Some impressive scores were recorded out of the select field of 48 players who had qualified to play in the MJT’s Mini Tour Order of Merit Invitational at Quilchena Golf Club in Richmond, BC, on Saturday, May 27. Players were treated to an incredible experience thanks to the private facility graciously hosting the 12U circuit on Canada’s number one-played junior tour.
The Low Overall scores from the Girls and Boys divisions were carded by two MJT veterans - Satnam Gill, 12, of Surrey, BC, who finished the day at one-under par 72, and Brayden Ko, 12, of Richmond, BC, who fired a three-under on the back nine to pull away from his nearest competitors with a fine score of 70.
Top results and quotes from the winners, who each receive an exemption into the MJT National Championship at Tsawwassen Springs in Tsawwassen, BC, this August, are noted below. For Closest to the Pin winners, please visit the MJT website here.
The next stop in the province, in which a few spots are still open for entry, is the MJT Mini Tour at Cheam Mountain Golf Club in Chilliwack, BC, June 11. More information on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, including the entire 2023 schedule, can be found online at www.maplejt.com.
Top Finishers
MJT Girls 11-12: Quilchena GC: Par 73, Ydg 5000
1 Satnam Gill, Surrey, BC, F, 12 37-35 (72)
2 Kathleen Dunn, Surrey, BC, F, 12 36-39 (75)
3 Chloe Zhang, Vancouver, BC, F, 11 39-42 (81)
Satnam Gill, 12, of Surrey, BC, fired a one-under par 72 on the challenging Quilchena layout to win Low Overall and the MJT Girls 11-2 Division title. “I feel proud of the win and this week I practiced a lot for this tournament,” said Gill. “I am currently working on my swing and this helps me hit the ball straighter than I usually do.”
MJT Girls 9-10: Quilchena GC: Par 73, Ydg 4400
1, Lucy Li, Vancouver, BC, F, 9 38-39 (77)
2, Miranda Luo, Vancouver, BC, F, 9 38-40 (78)
3, Jody Li, Burnaby, BC, F, 9 40-40 (80)
3, April Zhang, Surrey, BC, F, 9 40-40 (80)
Lucy Li, 9, of Vancouver, BC, made a par on the final hole to win the MJT Girls 9-10 Division title by one shot in a tight race. “I three putted three times so that was kind of sad,” stated Li. “Something I did was to keep my mental state under control and stay calm after a bad shot.”
MJT Girls 8U: Quilchena GC: Par 73, Ydg 3800
** Only completed 16 holes due to darkness **
1 Luna Zhou, Vancouver, BC, F, 8, (through 16) 39-29 (68)
2 Joanna Lin, Vancouver, BC, F, 8, (through 16) 45-29 (74)
3 Stella Sun, White Rock , BC, F, 8 (through 16) 49-35 (84)
Luna Zhou, 8, of Vancouver, BC, played some amazing golf around the Quilchena track to win the MJT Girls 8U Division title by six shots over 16 holes of play. “I currently have been working on my chipping and it really helped,” said Zhou. “And I have the best caddy.”
MJT Boys 8U: Quilchena GC: Par 73, Ydg 3800,
1 Ben Gamley, North Vancouver, BC, M, 8 39-36 (75)
2 Alex Yage Chen, West Vancouver, BC, M, 8 39-39 (78)
2 Zhongjun Daniel Qi, Surrey, BC, M, 8 40-38 (78)
Battling hard in the MJT Boys 8U Division and coming out on top was eight-year-old Ben Gamley of North Vancouver, BC, who ended the day at 75 (+2). “I wanted to surprise my dad (with the win),” said Gamley. “I would like to have more club head speed!”
MJT Boys 9-10: Quilchena GC: Par 73, Ydg 4550
1 Minxing Matt Li, Surrey, BC, M, 10 35-33 (68)
2 Kingston Ji, Coquitlam, BC, M, 10 38-35 (73)
2 James (Chenrui) Qiu, Surrey, BC, M 38-35 (73)
Posting an incredible 68 (-5) on the day from the MJT Boys 9-10 tees was 10-year-old Minxing Matt Li of Surrey, BC, whose flawless golf won him the Division title. “I think this win was the best win I’ve had this year,” said Li. “The best shot that I hit today was my hybrid on the eighteenth hole, it almost went in.”
MJT Boys 11-12: Quilchena GC: Par 73, Ydg 5275
1 Brayden Ko, Richmond, BC, M, 12 37-33 ( 70)
2 Jackson Wang, Surrey, BC, M, 11 37-36 ( 73)
3 David Zhang, White Rock, BC, M, 12 38-37 ( 75)
3 Jason Zhang, Richmond, BC, M, 11 36-39 ( 75)
A blistering back nine score helped hand the MJT Boys 11-12 and Low Overall title to Brayden Ko, 12, of Richmond, BC, who finished the day at 70 (-3) for a three-stroke victory. “It felt great to win this invitational, knowing that my fellow competitors were the best of the best,” said Ko. “Quilchena is also my home course and I wanted to make sure I represented and did my very best.”
Qualifiers:
MJT Mini Tour National Championship: All division winners.
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