March 12-14, 2016
Coquitlam, BC

Ironman Conditions for MJT Srixon Series Season Opener

Vancouver, B.C. (March 14, 2016) – A wait-listed field of junior golfers from four different provinces as well as the USA played through three tough days of competition and difficult weather during the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s (MJT) Srixon Series Season Opener in the lower mainland of British Columbia which ran on March 12th through 14th. Rounds one and two played out at University Golf Club and the final round on The Vancouver Golf Club (VGC), with players competing for titles in six age divisions on the Boston Pizza-presented program.  Gusting winds and freezing rain shortened the junior and juvenile boy’s divisions to nine holes on day two.

“Toughest conditions that any junior will play in, in my opinion, with extreme wind and rain – the scores shot were outstanding when it was a feat just to finish,” said Neil Bidewell, MJT Tournament Director.  “The greens at University Golf Club were fantastic, which helped.  And a huge thank you to Vancouver Golf Club Superintendent Dave Kennedy and Assistant Pete Rodriguez who did an incredible job of clearing debris off fairways from the storm and prepping the course which was almost closed due to rain saturation.”

Susan Xiao, 14, of Surrey, BC, shot 68 at VGC (Par 73) to lap the field and claim Low Overall for the Girls Division along with her MJT Girls 14 and under title with an impressive five-under-par total score of 73-71-68=212.  “I had four birdies in a row on Vancouver Club!” she said afterwards. “I feel happy, proud, excited – my goal is to win more tournaments and shoot under 65.” Second in the division was Jennifer Gu, 13, of West Vancouver, BC, (83-86-80=249) followed by Tillie Claggett, 12, of Calgary, AB (91-84-84=259).

The MJT Girls 15-19 trophy was won by 2015 MJT National Girls Champion Mary Parsons, 16, of Delta, BC, who fired solid rounds of 76, 73, 70 (219) to beat Team Canada’s Alisha Lau, 16, of Richmond, BC (79, 72, 70=221), by two strokes. “I feel great about winning my title especially with it being my first tournament of the year and considering the weather. Everyone contributed to make the tournament run smoothly,” said Parsons, whose goal is to make the Canadian Development Team. There was a tie for third at 22 total score between Esther Subin Lee, 16, of Maple Ridge, BC (77, 72, 73) and Sharon Park, 17, of Surrey, BC, (74, 74, 74).

Team Alberta’s Brendan MacDougall, 18, of Calgary, played phenomenal golf, shooting solid scores of 69-37-73 (179) to claim Overall Low Honours and the MJT Junior Boys title.  “The win feels fantastic! The highlight for me was shooting 69 on day one in tough conditions,” said MacDougall, who was an alternate to get into the event. “My biggest goal this season is to play well and prepare for University in the fall.” Matthew Kettleson, 18, of Vancouver, BC, shot a stunning 69 from the tips at VGC on day three (78-39-69=186) to gain massive ground on the field but couldn’t beat the consistent play of MacDougall, Rounding out the top three was Christian Zalli, 17, of Vancouver, (75-40-73=188).

Samuel Su, 16, of Surrey, BC, (72-36-72=180) won the MJT Juvenile Boys trophy after edging out defending champion Khan Lee, 16, of Surrey, BC, (72-41-69=182) in a tough match where Su showed supreme sportsmanship in his speech, acknowledging Lee’s brilliant 69 on the final day in difficult conditions and that the rain-shortened second round was the difference in his win.  Third place went to Perry Xin, 16, of Vancouver, BC, who shot 73-37-78=188.

Ilirian Zalli, 13, of Vancouver, BC, cited his tournament highlight as shooting 33 on the back nine at VGC – “putting the cherry on top of this great event” – and shot 77-75-72 (224) to win the MJT Bantam Boys 13-14 title by six shots ahead of his closest rivals who finished in a three-way tie for second place.  William Tindle, of Coquitlam, BC, (81-80-69=230), Michael Crisologo, 14, of Richmond, (72-84-74), and 13-year old Josef Koznek of Marysville, WA, (76-79-75=230) all finished deadlocked at 230.

A close race in the MJT Peewee Boys 12 and under division saw Bailey Bjornson, 12, of Surrey, BC, (84-68-70=222) shoot a brilliant final round of 70 to edge out MJT National Peewee Champion Brycen Ko, 12, of Richmond, (75-78-71=224) by two strokes. “My eagle putt on 13 on VGC was key to my victory,” said Bjornson, “and chipping in for birdie at University Golf Club was a highlight. I feel very satisfied to have won and played well.”  Finishing in third place was 9-year old Ryan Vest of Vernon, BC, (87-79-81=247).

For full tournament details including the list of 18 Long Drive, Closest-to-the-Pin and Comeback Award winners, please visit the MJT website.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in British Columbia is the MJT Prodigy Series at Morgan Creek Golf Club in Surrey on April 9th and 10th.  For more information or to register, please visit  www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.

About the MJT:
The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour presented by Boston Pizza is Canada¹s 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 generously supported by Boston Pizza and Premier Partners Ford of Canada, Cleveland Golf, Srixon, Aquafina and TuGo, in addition to valued Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts more than 60 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7-12 year olds, and multi-day events for competitive players which also qualify juniors for international competitions. The program offers annual awards, scholarships, and frequent player incentives to help reward player’s 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 provincial, national, university and professional level. For more information, please visit www.maplejt.com.
ABOUT Cleveland® Golf, Srixon® and XXIO®:Canada

Cleveland® Golf, Srixon®, and XXIO® are all part of the DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD family and each brand enjoys a strong presence on competitive tours worldwide. Their professional staffs include players such as Graeme McDowell, Keegan Bradley, Hideki Matsuyama, Inbee Park, as well as many others. Cleveland® Golf, founded in 1979, is a leading equipment manufacturer specializing in short game technologies and solutions that benefit all golfers.  Srixon®, with more than 80 years of golf ball manufacturing experience, is committed to producing the highest quality, technically innovative golf balls which offer maximum performance to golfers of all levels of ability. XXIO®, with their long standing tradition of premium golf clubs in Japan, brings the #1 golf brand in Japan to America. Cleveland® Golf, Srixon®, and XXIO® remain steadfastly committed to providing “Tour proven, premium golf equipment to passionate golfers seeking to improve their performance while enhancing their experience playing the game of golf.” Visit them online at www.clevelandgolf.com, www.srixon.com, and www.xxiousa.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour: Elaine Denton, Director of Marketing and Administration

edenton@maplejt.com 1-877-859-GOLF