Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

A wait-listed field of elite junior golfers showcased incredible resilience and talent at the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s MJT adidas Golf Series at University Golf Club in Vancouver, BC, this past weekend. Battling through torrential rain and cold spring conditions on March 21 through 23, over 100 young golfers from three provinces gathered to tee off the 2025 season on Canada’s leading Junior Golf Tour. Six division titles were on the line in this three-day, WAGR-ranked event, along with MJT Order of Merit points and the chance to qualify for several prestigious international events.

 

While the weather posed significant challenges, the competition remained fierce across all age groups. Brilliant scoring highlighted the MJT Junior Boys division, the only one to complete all 54 holes before weather took over. The fierce race for first ultimately needed a playoff, won by Thomas Zhang, 17, of Vancouver, BC, over Manny Lalh, 18, of Nanaimo, BC, after both players finished tied for the lead at 209. 

 

Other outstanding performances led to division titles after 45 holes for Ryan LePrieur, 16, from Langley, BC, in MJT Juvenile Boys (174), Jackson Wang, 13, of Langley, BC, in MJT Bantam Boys (177), and James C.R. Qiu, 12, of Surrey, BC, in MJT Peewee Boys (183).

Maggie Zhang, 13, of Richmond, BC, fired excellent scores for victory in MJT Girls U15 (135), and Kaylee Chung, 16, of Vancouver, BC, clinched the crown in MJT Girls 15-19 (141), after both Girls Divisions completed 36 holes of play across three rounds.

 

Top finisher scores, quotes from the division winners, and the list of qualified players are noted below. Results from the Bomber Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points can be found here.  

 

1. Thomas Zhang (17), Vancouver, BC | 67, 69, 73 (209)* Won Playoff
2. Manny Lalh (18), Nanaimo, BC | 67, 68, 74 (209)

3. Trevor Wong (17), Vancouver, BC | 69, 70, 72 (211)

 

In the MJT Junior Boys division, Thomas Zhang, 17, of Vancouver, BC, delivered a standout performance highlighted by a 5-under-par opening round and 12 birdies over the tournament, shooting 67, 69, and 73 to come from behind and tie for the lead with Manny Lalh, 18, of Nanaimo, BC (67, 68, 74). Zhang secured the division title with a clutch par on the first extra hole of a playoff. “My main goal is to enjoy playing tournaments in my last year of junior golf,” he shared. “As an MJT participant for the past five years, I will savour my last couple of MJT tournaments as much as possible.”

 

1. Ryan LePrieur (16), Langley, BC | 68, 70, 36 (174)

2. Hongzhao (Thomas) Xu (15), Vancouver, BC | 75, 66, 38 (179)

2. Troy Gadalla (16), Vancouver, BC | 71, 71, 37 (179)

 

Claiming the MJT Juvenile Boys title was 16-year-old Ryan LePrieur of Langley, BC, who fired rounds of 68, 70, and 36 to finish at 174. The 2024 BC MJT Juvenile Boys Order of Merit Winner added another highlight to his growing MJT resume with a 4-under-par opening round, notching nine birdies and an eagle over the event. “My parents have supported me tremendously and are the reason I am where I am today in the game of golf,” said LePrieur.
 

1. Jackson Wang (13), Langley, BC | 74, 67, 36 (177)

2. Ivan Chen (13), Vancouver, BC | 74, 70, 38 (182)

3. Jayden H Yang (13), Vancouver, BC | 72, 73, 39 (184)

 

Jackson Wang, 13, of Langley, BC, continued to build on his strong MJT record by capturing the MJT Bantam Boys title with rounds of 74, 67, and 36 for a total of 177. "I think my parents, my coach, and my friends have been instrumental to my success," said the 2024 MJT Peewee Boys Player of the Year, who fired a scorching 5-under-par second round and totaled 10 birdies over the event to secure the win. "My goals are to focus more on my game and not care so much about score when I'm playing," he added.

 

MJT Peewee Boys: University Golf Club: Par 72, Ydg 5541, Slope/Rating 114/66.0, 45 holes
1. James C.R. Qiu (12), Surrey, BC | 75, 72, 36 (183)

2. Kingston Ji (12), Coquitlam, BC | 77, 76, 38 (191)

3. Minxing Matt Li (12), Surry, BC | 81, 72, 39 (192)

 

James C.R. Qiu, 12, of Surrey, BC, earned the MJT Peewee Boys title with steady rounds of 75, 72, and 36 for a total score of 183. Demonstrating consistency and composure over three challenging days, Qiu carded five birdies to secure a commanding division win. “This is an exciting start to the season,” said Qiu. “It was not easy to win after three days of tournament play in heavy rain.”

 

1. Kaylee Chung (16), Vancouver, BC | 36, 68, 37 (141)

2. Lilian Zhao (15), Port Moody, BC | 35, 71, 36 (142)

3. Charlotte Tam (14), Burnaby, BC | 36, 74, 35 (145)

 

Kaylee Chung, 16, of Vancouver, BC, edged out the competition by a single stroke to win the MJT Girls 15-19 division with rounds of 36, 68, and 37 for a 36-hole total of 141. Chung fired seven birdies over the tournament, highlighted by a stellar 4-under-par second round to secure the title. “My family, friends, and coach have always supported me, and my success wouldn't have been possible without them,” she shared.
 

1. Maggie Zhang (13), Richmond, BC | 35, 68, 32 (135)

2. Anna (Ruoan) Wu (13), Victoria, BC | 35, 72, 36 (143)

3. Bihan (Bella) Yang (13), Vancouver, BC | 38, 76, 37 (151)

Maggie Zhang, 13, of Richmond, BC, delivered a dominant performance to win the MJT Girls U15 division, carding rounds of 35, 68, and 32 for an impressive 36-hole total of 135. With eight birdies and an eight-stroke margin of victory, Zhang showcased precision and poise in securing the title. “I trained hard in the off-season, especially in fitness and my driver,” she said. “I've been trying to increase my distance off the tee.”

 

BC Jr. Boys Championship: Thomas Zhang
International Junior Masters: Thomas Zhang

 

MJT East Coast Junior Championship
U15 Girls: Maggie Zhang

15-19 Girls: Kaylee Chung

Peewee Boys: James C.R. Qiu

Bantam Boys: Jackson Wang

Juvenile Boys: Ryan LePrieur 

Junior Boys: Thomas Zhang

 

FCG World Championship (11-18):

 

Bantam Boys: Jackson Wang

Juvenile Boys: Ryan LePrieur 

Junior Boys: Thomas Zhang

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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