Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

Cultus Lake Golf Club in Cultus Lake, BC, surrounded by towering fir and cedar trees, bustled with activity this past Sunday when the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, Canada’s number one Junior Tour, took center stage. A great field of 75 young athletes on the British Columbia leg of the MJT Mini Tour for 12U players navigated the narrow fairways, competing in six divisions for titles plus the chance to qualify for the MJT Mini Tour National Championship later this summer.

Highlights included some excellent under-par scoring as well as the standout achievement by 12-year-old Velvet Haynes from Kelowna, BC, who aced a hole-in-one on the challenging par three 16^th hole. Her impressive shot led to Haynes securing a commendable second place finish in the MJT Girls 11-12 Division.

 

Top scorers who were not already exempt qualified for the MJT Mini Tour National Championship in Tsawwassen, BC, in August, and are listed below along with their scores and quotes from the division winners. Full results, as well as results from the Closest-to-the-Pin and Long Drive competitions are posted on the MJT website.

 

The next MJT Mini Tour event in the province is the much-anticipated MJT Harry White Little Masters at Kings Links by the Sea in Delta, BC, on July 8-9. This tournament, which is now in its 58^th year, has major order of merit points for the winners. More information can be found online at www.maplejt.com.

 

1. Chloe He (7), Richmond, BC | 73

2. Chloe Yang (8), Richmond, BC | 75

3. Yoyo Zhang (7), Richmond, BC | 80
 

Seven-year-old Chloe He from Richmond, BC, believed she won the MJT Girls 8U title due to a daily routine: "I chipped and putted at Mayfair every single day." When asked about her secret weapon, He revealed her brother's sage advice: "Stay focused, especially on the last three holes." With a regimen like that and her brother's wisdom, He's success recipe is clear - practice makes perfect, and sibling tips seal the deal!

 

1. Tiffany Yang (10), Richmond, BC | 66

2. Joanna Lin (9), Vancouver, BC | 71

3. Victoria Shen (10), Surrey, BC | 71

 

Tiffany Yang, 10, from Richmond, BC, kept it short and sweet after her impressive win in MJT Girls 9-10. When asked about her secret to success, she gave a nod to the second-place finisher, saying, "Joanna helped." She summed up her strategy saying, "Mentally, telling myself to play good. Physically, practice." Yang's approach is as straightforward as her victory: a little help from friends and a lot of self-encouragement and practice. 

 

1. Avery McAbee (11), Mission, BC | 70

2. Velvet Haynes (12), Kelowna, BC| 71

3. Zisu Liu (11), Surrey, BC | 77

 

Eleven-year-old Avery McAbee from Mission, BC, won her first MJT title in Girls 11-12, edging out a one stroke victory over hole-in-one star, Velvet Haynes from Kelowna. McAbee described a winning strategy that was part hard work, part Zen. "I've practiced a lot and lately I've been playing a lot. Mentally, I've been good, but I just tried to stay calm," she shared.

 

1. Ethan Jiang (8), Vancouver, BC | 62

2. Sawyer Morrow (5), Vancouver, BC | 72

3. Alex Feng (8), Oakville, ON | 77

 

Eight-year-old Ethan Jiang from Vancouver, BC, dominated the competition in MJT Boys 8U with a one-under par performance, leading to a staggering 10-stroke victory. When asked about his secret to success, Jiang cheerfully advised, "Always smile, get rid of emotions." Declaring the MJT as his ‘favourite Canadian tournament,’ Jiang has clearly found the winning formula.

 

1. Zhongjun Daniel Qi (9), Surrey, BC | 62

2. Felix Qu (9), North Vancouver, BC | 63

3. Kaiwen Jiang (10), Maple Ridge, BC | 70
 

Nine-year-old Zhongjun Daniel Qi from Surrey, BC, demonstrated both skill and ambition to win the MJT Boys 9-10 title. Qi confidently stated, "I will practice harder and get better results." Ending the tournament at one-under par, Qi's rating of the event was equally impressive: "23 out of 10!" Clearly, Daniel's enthusiasm matches his golfing prowess, setting a high bar for future competitions. 
 

1. James (Chenrui) Qiu (11), Surrey, BC | 61

2. Jason Zhang (12), Richmond, BC | 62

3. Minxing Matt Li (11), Surrey, BC | 67

 

James (Chenrui) Qiu, an 11-year-old hailing from Surrey, BC, edged out a one stroke victory in MJT Boys 11-12 after a stellar performance also clinched the Low Overall title. His impressive two-under par finish showcases his continued prowess on the course. 

 

MJT Mini Tour National Championship (highest ranked player not already exempt): Yoyo Zhang, Sawyer Morrow, Tiffany Yang, Zhongjun Daniel Qi, Avery McAbee, Minxing Matt Li

 

About the MJT: The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is Canada’s #1 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 partners across various tiers, including Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels. The MJT hosts more than 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:  Jessica Parker, marketing@maplejt.com 
Marketing Manager, MJT