Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour
The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
August 14, 2023
Surrey, BC
Chen shoots 66, players punch tickets to Nationals in MJT Mini Tour’s Guildford stop
A great field of 70 MJT Mini Tour players on Canada’s number one-played Junior Golf Tour, the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Tour, enjoyed a tournament at Guildford Golf Club in Surrey, BC, on August 14, where titles in six divisions were on the line as well as the final chance to qualify for the season-ending MJT Mini Tour National Championship in Tsawwassen, BC, later this month.
This was the final event leading up to Nationals and the last opportunity for players to earn their spot in the largest major U13 event in Canada. Scores from the top finishers and winner quotes are noted below, while Closest to the Pin winners are posted on the MJT website here. Highlights included amazing scoring by nine-year-old Ziping Chen from Surrey, BC, who fired a six under par 66 to win the MJT Boys 9-10 Division. Satnam Gill of Surrey, BC, won the MJT Girls 11-12 and Low Overall Girls titles after a solid 77 from the furthest tees, while Benjamin Zeng of Langey, BC, won the MJT Boys 11-12 and Low Overall Boys titles with a fine one under par 71.
The last MJT Mini Tour stop in the province is the invitation-only MJT Mini Tour National Championship at Tsawwassen Springs in Tsawwassen, BC, on August 31 and September 1, 2023, where Order of Merit Awards for 2023 will also be presented The qualified field will be announced shortly. For more information on the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, please visit the website.
Top Finishers
MJT Girls 8U: Guildford GC: Par 72, Ydg 3400, Slope/Rating 0/0.0
1 Luna Zhou, Vancouver, BC, F, 8 36-37 (73)
2 Stella Sun, White Rock, BC, F, 8 44-39 (83)
3 Elizabeth Yang, Vancouver, BC, F, 8 43-42 (85)
The MJT Girls 8U Division title was won by 8-year-old Luna Zhou of Vancouver, BC, her sixth event of the season on the circuit. “It feels good because my mom was caddying for me,” said Zhou. “Coming down the stretch, I would take three deep breaths.”
MJT Girls 9-10: Guildford GC: Par 72, Ydg 4100, Slope/Rating 0/0.0
1 Lucy Li, Vancouver, BC, F, 9 36-37 (73)
2 Jody Li, Burnaby, BC, F, 10 40-37 (77)
3 Chloe Lam, Vancouver, BC, F, 10 42-38 (80)
Lucy Li, 9, of Vancouver, BC, played amazing golf on the front nine and held on for victory in the MJT Girls 9-10 Division. “This win feels really weird since I didn’t play that well,” said Li. “I felt nervous coming in, I thought that I could ruin it on the last holes.”
MJT Girls 11-12: Guildford GC: Par 72, Ydg 4700, Slope/Rating 0/0.0
1 Satnam Gill, Surrey, BC, F, 12 39-38 (77)
2 Avva Nguyen, Richmond, BC, F, 12 41-37 (78)
3 Michelle Jee, Port Coquitlam, BC, F, 12 43-40 (83)
The MJT Girls 11-12 Division title and Low Overall honours went to Satnam Gill, 12, of Surrey, BC, who posted consistent rounds to win by one shot after making bogey on the final hole. “It feels good, but I could have done better,” said Gill. “I think the MJT is a wonderful place to start golf!”
MJT Boys 8U: Guildford GC: Par 72, Ydg 3400, Slope/Rating 0/0.0
1 Zhongjun Daniel Qi, Surrey, BC, M, 8 35-35 (70)
2 Everett Quewezance, Kamloops, BC, M, 8 40-31 (71)
3 Ethan Jiang, Vancouver, BC, M, 7 36-37 (73)
3 Raymond Wang, Bothell, WA, M, 8 37-36 (73)
Zhongjun Daniel Qi, 8, of Surrey, BC, shot 70 from the modified yardage to hold off a hard-charging Everett Quewezance, 8, from Kelowna, BC, and edge out a one stroke victory in MJT Boy 8U. “I was a bit nervous but felt like I would win,” said Qi. “I will now be focusing on the National Championship and keep working on my short game.”
MJT Boys 9-10: Guildford GC: Par 72, Ydg 4100, Slope/Rating 0/0.0
1 Ziping Chen, Surrey, BC, M, 9 33-33 (66)
2 James (Chenrui) Qiu, Surrey, BC, M, 10 36-34 (70)
3 Aaron Wang, Richmond, BC, M, 10 39-35 (74)
Posting a fantastic six under 66 and claiming the MJT Boys 9-10 Division title by four shots was MJT veteran, Ziping Chen, 9, of Surrey. “This win feels very good,” said Chen. “I feel very proud, but I felt it could have been better.”
MJT Boys 11-12: Guildford GC: Par 72, Ydg 5187, Slope/Rating 105/64.7
1 Benjamin Zeng, Langley, BC, M, 12 36-35 (71)
2 Jason Zhang, Richmond, BC, M, 11 36-37 (73)
3 David Zhang, White Rock, BC, M, 11 40-39 (79)
The MJT Boys 11-12 Division title went to 12-year-old Benjamin Zeng of Langley, BC, who posted a one under par 71 to punch his ticket to the MJT Mini Tour National Championship. “The win feels so good as it is my first tournament in Canada,” said Zeng. “I am very surprised and happy to win.”
Qualifiers:
MJT Mini Tour National Championship at Tsawwassen Springs GC: Benjamin Zeng (Langley), Aaron Wang (Richmond), Raymond Wang (Bothel, WA), Elizabeth Yang (Vancouver)
* Note: If division winners are already exempt, the spot defaults to next highest-ranked player.
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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