MJT Odlum Brown Classic Champions Crowned In World Amateur Golf-Ranked Stop
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2020-08-14
CHILLIWACK, British Columbia — The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s highly-anticipated three-day event this past week in Chilliwack, BC, attracted some of the top junior talent in the region for the 16th annual, World Amateur Golf-ranked MJT Odlum Brown Classic at Chilliwack Golf and Country Club. The tournament on August 3, 4 and 5, which played out in beautiful sunshine with fantastic golf conditions, featured a cut after two rounds to the top 60% of the field in each of the six divisions.
The MJT Odlum Brown Low Overall Champion for 2020 was 17-year old Jennifer Gu, of West Vancouver, in the Girls 15-19 Division. Gu, who came off her impressive win at the MJT Ford Series at Hazelmere Golf and Tennis Club just last week, put on a show at Chilliwack Golf and Country Club making 17 birdies over three days. “My putting performed really well this week,” commented Gu when asked about the key to her victory. “It feels great to win the MJT Odlum Brown Classic this year!” Gu defended her title from 2018 firing brilliant scores of 67, 69, and 71 (207, -9). 13-year old Luna Lu, of Burnaby, BC, playing up a division, finished runner-up with excellent scores of 70, 69, and 72 (211, - 5).
54 holes was not enough golf to determine a winner in the MJT Junior Boys Division that saw a great contest take place between Surrey-golfer Bailey Bjornson, 17, and Vancouver-golfer Ilirian Zalli, 18. Zalli opened the event with a three-under 69 while Bjornson struggled to find his game carding a 78. Zalli’s consistency kept him on the top of the leaderboard as he fired rounds of 73 and 73 (215) on day two and three but Bjornson charged back, shooting outstanding scores of 68 and 69 (215). With both players making par on the first playoff hole, Zalli stepped up and drained a 22-foot birdie putt in the second playoff hole to make birdie and win the MJT Odlum Brown Classic Junior Boys trophy. “Being patient and staying focused were key,” commented Zalli, who had the putter heating up at just the right time. “I’d like to give a shout out to Bailey who is a great friend of mine and played some fantastic golf.” Zalli picks up back-to-back wins with his performance both last week at Hazelmere and this week in Chilliwack.
The MJT Odlum Brown Classic Juvenile Boys trophy went to Langley, BC, golfer Danny Im, after he surged ahead of the field to win his second 2020 MJT title. The 16-year old golfer fired 74, 70, and 71 (215, -1) to win the division by 11 shots. Im saw himself sitting four shots back after the first day of play but did not take long to erase that deficit. After two days of play, Im had built up a six-shot lead and cruised to victory on day three. “I kept the ball in play,” commented Im. “I did a good job of recovering when I hit a poor shot and I made some putts.”
Jaden August, 11, of Pitt Meadows, BC, showed off his game firing scores of 73, 70, and 73 (216, E) to win the MJT Odlum Brown Classic Peewee Boys champion’s title in convincing fashion. August, who has made his mark on the top of the MJT leaderboards over the past couple of years, made 12 birdies over the three days, the most of any other player in his division. “I stayed patient,” remarked August who found his rhythm at Chilliwack Golf and Country Club. “I kept focus on my own game and had a great time.”
Vernon, BC, resident, Ryan Vest, 14, persevered through all three days to win the MJT Odlum Brown Classic Bantam Boys title by a single shot. Vest carded a 73 after the first day to sit three shots back of the lead but found himself in a hole after a second day score of 76. The past MJT champion then put together a rock-solid third round of 70 to come back from a four-shot deficit and win his second event of the year (219 total score). “It feels so good that I came from behind to win,” remarked Vest. “My mental game in the final round was what won me the event because I never gave up.” Surrey, BC, golfer Joshua Ince, 14, finished runner-up with rounds of 74, 71, and 75 (220).
Vancouver’s Anna Huang returned to winner’s circle taking the MJT Odlum Brown Classic Girls U15 title, her first 2020 MJT Junior Tour victory. The 11-year old golfer made nine birdies and an eagle to shoot great scores of 74, 75, and 74 (223). “It feels very nice and I’m so happy to finally win another event,” commented Huang. “I was focused on every shot and kept myself in control.” Port Coquitlam, BC, golfer Yeji Kwon, 14, finished the event in second place with scores of 74, 73, and 77 (224).
Full results of this major Order of Merit-points event can be viewed here. The next BC stop will take place in Langley on August 27 and 28 for the MJT Lindsay Kenney Classic at Pagoda Ridge Golf Club. More details can be found online at www.maplejt.com.
About Odlum Brown Limited
Odlum Brown Limited is an independent, BC-based, full-service investment firm providing disciplined investment advice and objective research with a singular focus on clients. Established in 1923, the firm offers a full range of investment products including equities, fixed income, mutual funds and GIC’s; and financial, retirement and estate planning through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Odlum Brown Financial Services Limited. For more information, visit www.odlumbrown.com. Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund.
About the MJT
The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour 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 supported by valued Premier, Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts close to 90 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.