Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

October 8-9, 2016
Richmond, BC

The incredible Zalli shoots 10-under-par in MJT Srixon Series final

Richmond, B.C. – (October 10, 2016) – Junior golfers from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Washington State, and as far afield as Prince George for the host province of British Columbia, converged on Mayfair Lakes Golf Course in Richmond over the Thanksgiving weekend to compete in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Srixon Series final on October 8 and 9.

The event also featured the popular Cam Clark Ford free Junior Golf Clinic for kids in the community on October 9, which fortunately missed the very heavy rainfall on October 8. Despite the weather on day one of the tournament some great scores were recorded, highlighted by brilliant rounds of 66-66 (132) off the white tees from 14-year old phenomenon, Ilirian Zalli of Vancouver, BC.

Zalli won the MJT Bantam Boys 13-14 crown with a 10-under-par total and by 12 strokes. “I made three eagles – two yesterday and one today,” he said, following the final round. “This is the sixth MJT tournament I have played and I have won all six. It feels fantastic to have won the last tournament of this season.” Runner-up in this division was Bailey Bjornson, 13, of Surrey, BC, who shot consistent back-to-back rounds of 72 to finish at even par, and third place went to Andy Luo, 13, of Burnaby, BC, who carded 79, 76 (155).

Excellent scores of 71, 69 (140) from the blue tees ensured the MJT Juvenile Boys 15-16 champion was Andy Kim, 16, of Langley, BC, who held off fellow Langley resident Andy Jang, 16, (72, 71=143) and Parksville, BC’s Aidan Goodfellow, 16, (72, 72=144) for the victory. “My scrambling kept me in place throughout the weekend,” said Kim. “I feel proud and accomplished to have a win for this tournament as a juvenile.”

Another great closing round of 69 vaulted Ben Whiton, 17, again of Langley, into the lead in the MJT Junior Boys 17-19 division, where his scores of 73, 69 (142) secured the title over Manitoba’s Wesley Hoydalo of Selkirk, (75, 70=145). Whiton commented, “My putting all weekend was solid and I didn’t miss too many fairways which was big. It’s a great feeling, coming from behind and winning by three.” Parker Wadsworth of Vernon, BC, placed third in the division (71, 76=147).           

Rounding out the Boys divisions were the Peewee players of 12 and under, where the winner was Sunny Li, 12, of Richmond, who shot 85, 88 (173). Li rated the greens as “very fast” and said that “the MJT is a good platform.” Saskatchewan players Jackson Wingert, 12, of Saskatoon, (95, 90=185) and Brett Leonard, 11, of Corman Park, (93, 100=193) came in second and third respectively.

A one stroke victory won the MJT Girls 15-19 title for Jayla Yoonji Kang, 167, of Surrey, after she fired rock-solid rounds of 74, 72 (146) to hold off Tiffany Kong, 15, of Vancouver, (72, 75=147). Kang commented afterwards, “It was pouring rain yesterday! I tried my best to stay calm throughout the rounds even though I had a few mistakes. I feel great and it’s good to feel that I have improved!”  Vancouver’s Sophia Bian, 15, took third place (78, 71=149).

The younger MJT Girls U15 division was won by 12-year-old Angela Arora of Surrey with scores of 88, 76 (164). “I drove every fairway and my greens in regulation were really good,” she said. “I feel really proud since this is my first year in tournaments and this is my first U15 division win.” Runner-up to Arora was Jennifer Gu, 13, of West Vancouver, (90, 81=171) and third place was claimed by Coco Pei, 11, of Surrey, (85, 89=174).     

Each division had a Longball Long Drive Competition, a MJT Closest-to-the-Pin Competition and a Golf Town Comeback Award for best second day improvement in score; details on the 18 winners are on the MJT website which also shows the full results.

The Srixon Series final successfully concludes the MJT’s regular season for the year, during which an elite field of players has qualified for the upcoming MJT Boston Pizza National Championship presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf at The Legacy Golf Resort in Phoenix, AZ, November 11-13 . For more information, 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 Canada’s 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, Srixon / Cleveland Golf, Cam Clark Ford, 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.

About Srixon: Srixon is part of a worldwide brand of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI), a golf equipment company with a 70-year winning tradition and is make headlines as one of the fastest growing golf ball and golf club brands in the United States. Srixon is the Official Golf Ball of the MJT.

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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