Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour Opens 23rd Season With MJT Humber College PGM Classic Presented By TaylorMade At University Golf Club
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2021-03-18
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s number-one played Junior Golf Tour, successfully opened its 23rd season with the three-day MJT Humber College PGM Classic presented by TaylorMade at University Golf Club in Vancouver, BC, March 13 through 15. Following strict COVID-19 protocols in accordance with the province of BC, the MJT carried on where it left off last season, after safely organizing the program across the country.
“It’s great to be back out on the golf course again,” commented MJT Marketing and Communications Manager, Sadiq Jiwa. “The young golfers played 54 holes over the last three days and a big thank you to University Golf Club for working with the MJT to ensure the health and safety of everyone.”
The MJT Girls 15-19 Division saw 13-year-old Luna Lu, of Burnaby, BC, playing up with the older girls, record scores of 71, 74, and 70 (-1) to record both the division low score and overall girls low score. Lu’s most impressive performance was saved for the final round where she made four birdies and two bogeys to finish at one-under par, the only girl to do so over the three rounds. “I had a lot of great shots,” commented Lu, who saw much success on the greens. “I’m super happy that my game was solid all three days.” 16-year-old Angela Arora, of Surrey, BC, fired a brilliant 67 alongside two solid rounds of 76 and 74 (217, +1), to finish two shots behind.
Golf Canada Junior Boys squad member, Willy Bishop, 17, of Victoria, BC, came up clutch at the end of his third round draining a 25-foot putt for birdie on his 54th hole to record the low score honors in the MJT Junior Boys Division. Bishop showed his consistency all three days recording scores of 73, 69, and 73 (215, -1). “It was a hard-fought battle that was well-deserved,” commented Bishop. “I didn’t play my A-game, but I handled myself well out there.” 17-year-old Bailey Bjornson, of Surrey, BC, finished one shot behind after firing 68, 76, and 72 (216, E).
The MJT Bantam Boys Division witnessed 12-year-old Michael Li, of Vancouver, BC, nail down the low score honors with rounds of 71, 73, and 74 (218, +2). Li, who had an excellent start on Saturday making six birdies on his way to a one-under-par first round, continued his fine play throughout the other two days. “It feels good to be out here again,” commented Li, who had been training hard through the off-season. 2020 MJT Bantam Boys Player of the Year, Ryan Liang, 14, of Vancouver, finished five shots behind with consistent scores of 74, 75, and 74 (223, +7).
13-year-old Ling Yu (Katherine) Hao, of Burnaby, put on a clinic in the MJT U15 Girls Division, shooting 73, 76, and 74 (223, +7). Hao played steady the whole way through making many pars and not putting herself in any kind of trouble. “It was really fun to play in the rain and sun,” commented Hao, citing the sunny conditions for the first and third days but the considerable wind and rain on day two. “My tee shots were really good, and I had a lot of fun on the golf course.”
The MJT Juvenile Boys Division saw Vancouver’s Nathan Szpakowicz, 15, fire rounds of 70, 74, and 77 (221, +5), to claim the low score honors. Szpakowicz had a great first day making three birdies and only one bogey. “The hard work and all the hours practicing paid off,” Szpakowicz said. “I was very happy with how I played.” 15-year-old Caleb Davies, of Langley, BC, carded 77, 72, and 78 (227, +11) to finish six shots behind.
Burnaby’s Jeevyn Lotay, 11, played some tremendous golf over the past three days, shooting scores of 75, 81, and 79 (235) to secure the low score honor in the MJT Peewee Boys Division. Lotay, who has been improving each year, saw some great strides in his game. “On the first day, I made more birdies than I’ve ever made in a round,” remarked Lotay. “I really enjoyed getting back on the golf course and playing some good golf.”
All scores can be viewed on the MJT website here. The MJT is in Pitt Meadows, BC, at Golden Eagle Golf Club, on March 22 to 23, and more information on the program can be found online at www.maplejt.com.
About Humber College PGM Program
Humber College’s Business Administration - Professional Golf Management program is a Recognized PGA of Canada program. Gain a business education, develop your golf game, and embark on a career you will love. Gain valuable experience and earn income during our two six-month paid co-op terms. Our on-campus Golf Lab is a world-class golf performance training facility run by PGA Professionals. Our Golf Lab is equipped with three Simulator Rooms, a Golf Retail Shop, Golf Club Workshop, and 2000 square feet of putting surface. Our students have the opportunity to play on the Humber Hawks varsity golf team, the most decorated golf team in Canada. For more information please visit our website at business.humber.ca/golf.
About TaylorMade Golf Company
Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, TaylorMade Golf is a leading manufacturer of high-performance golf equipment with industry-leading innovative products like SIM metalwoods, SIM irons, TP5/TP5X golf balls and Spider putters. A major force on the PGA TOUR, TaylorMade has an unrivaled athlete portfolio that includes Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler, Matthew Wolff, Collin Morikawa, Nick Taylor and Michael Gligic.
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 member functions across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 12U, and multi-day stops for players aged 11-19. 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.