Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s leading and most-played junior golf tour, continued its MJT Maui Jim Series on May 30-31 with the third of six national events at The Hills at Portal Golf Club in Surrey, BC. A waitlisted field of 88 junior golfers aged 19U teed it up on the challenging Portal course in pursuit of division titles, custom crystal trophies, and Maui Jim sunglasses.
 

Competing across six divisions, athletes also had the chance to qualify into the MJT East Coast Junior Championship and the MJT National Tour Challenge, adding extra significance to an already highly competitive weekend on the country's premier junior golf circuits.

Riley Moore of West Vancouver, BC, rallied from an opening-round 78 with a rock solid 73 on day two to claim the MJT Junior Boys title at 151 total. The 17-year-old credited fellow competitor Qaim Burgener for helping fuel the comeback. “Qaim Burgener, he inspired me to win this tournament and cheered me on the whole time,” said Moore. Reflecting on the event, he added, “The sponsors and staff did a great job of setting up the event.”
 

Competing in the MJT Girls 15-19 division, Vancouver's Doris Hiu Tung Liu shot an even par final round to finish atop the leaderboard with a total score of 149. The 16-year-old relied on a patient approach throughout the weekend, explaining her strategy; “To plan every shot. Not every hole is about who hits it far.” Liu was equally enthusiastic about the tournament experience, rating it ‘10/10’ and adding, “I love playing MJT.”
 

Lucas Vizzutti of Powell River, BC, captured the MJT Juvenile Boys title after posting fine rounds of 72 and 74 for a two-day total of 146. The 15-year-old recognized his family for helping him reach this point in his golf journey, saying, “My parents have helped a lot to get me where I am.” Vizzutti also praised the level of competition, noting, “It was a great event with high quality players.”
 

Seven birdies over two rounds helped Surrey's Victoria Shen secure the MJT Girls U15 title with scores of 74 and 76. The 12-year-old leaned on a strong support network throughout the weekend. “My dad and all my family, friends, and my Coach, Alex. They all helped me get past my setbacks and congratulated me on my wins,” said Shen. Holding the lead entering the final round, she stuck to a disciplined game plan. “My strategy was to play smart and safe. After I was in the lead for the first time yesterday, I thought if I shot the low seventies, then I would probably win this tournament.”
 

Coquitlam's Kingston Ji carded 74 and 76 to finish at 150 and earn top honours in the MJT Bantam Boys division. The 13-year-old recorded six birdies over the weekend and acknowledged those around him for helping him succeed. “My mom and playing partners played a crucial part in my victory,” said Ji. Reflecting on his experience with the tour, he added, “I think MJT brings a variety of feelings and emotions in competition, and it became one of the greatest and most influential experiences I ever had in golf.”
 

A remarkable second-round surge propelled Hayden Soohyun Lee of Port Moody, BC, to the MJT Peewee Boys title. After opening with a 79, the 11-year-old fired a brilliant 69 on Sunday, improving by 10 strokes and finishing at 148 overall. Lee recorded nine birdies across the tournament and was quick to thank those who helped him along the way. “I have to thank my parents for taking me to the course and training me. I also have to thank Lee Lee for coaching me,” he said. Asked about the tournament, Hayden summed it up simply: “It's perfect!”
 

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

 

Next up in British Columbia is the heavily wait-listed MJT KAILANI Series at Golden Eagle Golf Club taking place June 13-14 in Pitt Meadows. For more information on the MJT and upcoming events, visit www.maplejt.com.

Top Finishers by Division
 

1. Riley Moore (17), West Vancouver, BC | 78, 73 (151)

2. Henry Tran (18), Vancouver, BC | 79, 75 (154)       

3. Qaim Burgener (16), Burnaby, BC | 79, 78 (157)    

3. Beckham Chiew (18), Calgary, AB | 77, 80 (157)
 

1. Doris Hiu Tung Liu (16), Vancouver, BC | 77, 72 (149)       

2. Esther Cheon (16), Langley, BC | 79, 73 (152)

3. Lauren Mukai (17), Burnaby, BC | 80, 77 (157)
 

1. Lucas Vizzutti (15) Powell River, BC | 72, 74 (146)

2. Andy (Yul) Koh (15), Surrey, BC | 73, 74 (147)

3. Zhiyang Peng (16), Vancouver, BC | 74, 76 (150)

 

1. Victoria Shen (12), Surrey, BC | 74, 76 (150)

2. April Zhang (12), Surrey, BC | 75, 81 (156)

3. Kate Yang (13), Coquitlam, BC | 82, 75 (157)

 

1. Kingston Ji (13), Coquitlam, BC | 74, 76 (150)

2. Minxing Matt Li (13), Surrey, BC | 78, 75 (153)      

3. David Chaofan Wu (12), Richmond, BC | 78, 77 (155)        

3. Jack Harman (14), Surrey, BC | 75, 80 (155)

MJT Peewee Boys: The Hills at Portal: Par 72, Ydg 5467, Slope/Rating 114/66.9

1. Hayden Soohyun Lee (11), Port Moody, BC | 79, 69 (148)

2. Allen Kong (10), Vancouver, BC | 78, 77 (155)

2. Matthew Liang (11), Vancouver, BC | 78, 77 (155)

 

Boys: Matthew Liang, Kingston Ji, Lucas Vizzutti, Henry Tran

Girls: April Zhang, Esther Cheon

 

Boys: Kingston Ji, Lucas Vizzutti, Henry Tran

Girls: Victoria Shen, Doris Hiu Tung Liu

About Maui Jim: Now the fastest growing premium polarized sunglass maker in the world, Maui Jim got its start seeing a need in the market for technology that could combat intense glare and harmful UV while bringing brilliant colors to life. The Aloha Spirit permeates our philosophy at Maui Jim. Our "ohana" (Hawaiian for family) is passionate about creating the best sunglasses on the planet. Because at the end of the day, we want to see the world at its best - and we know that you do, too, no matter where you live. Aloha, friends!

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