Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

Canada’s number one-played junior golf tour, the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), showcased remarkable young talent with fantastic scoring recorded in an exclusive MJT Mini Tour Order of Merit (OOM) Invitational, which was held at the private Quilchena Golf and Country Club in Richmond, BC, May 23. Reserved for a select group of skilled golfers aged 12 and under who had earned their way into the event through early season performance, the invitational featured a limited-size field of 48 competitors who battled across six divisions on the deceptively challenging par-73 layout. 

With division titles and direct qualifying spots into MJT Mini Tour Nationals at Tsawwassen Springs Golf Course in Tsawwassen, BC, on the line, the event highlighted the exceptional depth of rising junior golf talent in British Columbia.

Eleven-year-old Hayden Soohyun Lee of Port Moody, BC, fired a stellar three-under-par 70 to capture the MJT Boys 11-12 division title. Lee carded five birdies in an impressive round on the challenging par-73 layout, continuing his strong run of play on the MJT Mini Tour.
 

Playing on her home course, 12-year-old Karyme Zhao of Richmond, BC, delivered an even-par 73 to top the MJT Girls 11-12 division. Zhao recorded four birdies during her round and was thrilled to claim the title close to home, saying, “It feels great to win, especially at my home course.” She also gave a nod to the post-round support of MJT Partner, Panago Pizza, adding, “This event is great! I like that MJT has pizza at the end of the round. 10/10.”
 

The MJT Boys 9-10 division saw Vancouver’s Allen Kong, age 10, post an outstanding two-under-par 71 to secure the victory. Kong rolled in five birdies during a composed and confident performance a tightly contested field.
 

One of the standout rounds of the tournament came from nine-year-old Yoyo Zhang of Richmond, BC, who lit up the course with a sensational five-under-par 68 to lead the MJT Girls 9-10 division. Zhang poured in seven birdies on her way to the low score of the day, later saying, “It feels good to win this tournament with a score of 68.” She also praised the overall experience, rating the event ‘10/10 because of the prizes and amazing golf course.’
 

Seven-year-old Sawyer Morrow of Vancouver, BC, played exceptional golf in the MJT Boys 8U division, carding an even-par 73 highlighted by four birdies. Asked how it felt to come out on top, Morrow summed it up simply: “Awesome!” He also called it an ‘excellent event,’ adding, ‘thank you!’
 

Competing in a division all her own, eight-year-old Nyla Poirier of Surrey, BC, handled the challenging setup at Quilchena Golf and Country Club with determination, posting a score of 85 in the MJT Girls 8U division.

 

Top finisher scores and the list of qualified players are noted below. Full results, as well as winners of the Closest-to-the-Pin and Long Drive competitions are posted on the MJT website here.
 

The next MJT Mini Tour event in the province is at Golden Eagle Golf Club, on June 7. For more information, or to view the upcoming British Columbia MJT Mini Tour schedule, please visit www.maplejt.com.

Top Finishers by Division
 

MJT Boys 11-12: Quilchena: Par 73, Ydg 5275, Slope/Rating 111/65.3

1. Hayden Soohyun Lee (11), Port Moody, BC | 70    

2. Benjamin Qin (11), Vancouver, BC | 73      

3. Dylan Murphy (12), Nanaimo, BC | 74

 

1. Karyme Zhao (12), Richmond, BC | 73        

2. Stella Sun (11), White Rock, BC | 75           

2. Elizabeth Yang (10), Vancouver, BC | 75

MJT Boys 9-10: Quilchena: Par 73, Ydg 4550, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Allen Kong (10), Vancouver, BC | 71           

2. Liam Chang (10), Victoria, BC | 73  

2. Robin Lai (10), Richmond, BC | 73

MJT Girls 9-10: Quilchena: Par 73, Ydg 4400, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Yoyo Zhang (9), Richmond, BC | 68

2. Annabel Zhao (10), Richmond, BC | 73       

3. Paris Liu (9), Richmond, BC | 76

 

1. Sawyer Morrow (7), Vancouver, BC | 73    

2. Mason Hou (7), Vancouver, BC | 75           

2. Tristan Liu (7), Maple Ridge, BC | 75

MJT Girls 8U: Quilchena: Par 73, Ydg 3800, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1. Nyla Poirier (8), Surrey, BC | 85

 

Boys: Tristan Liu, Robin Lai, Benjamin Qin

Girls: Chloe He, Karyme Zhao

 

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