Players Battle Windy Conditions At MJT Chad Hippsley Real Estate Classic
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2021-04-21
SURREY, British Columbia — The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s number-one played Junior Golf Tour, held the MJT Chad Hippsley Real Estate Classic at Morgan Creek Golf Course in Surrey, on April 10 and 11. This third stop on the 2021 BC circuit followed strict COVID-19 protocols in accordance with the province of BC, ensuring the health and safety of all athletes and personnel.
Despite strong winds that hampered scoring among the six age divisions, veteran-player Vanessa Zhang, of Vancouver, BC, fired a sizzling 69 on day two to finish with scores of 78 and 69 (147), taking low score honors for MJT Girls 15-19 and the low overall MJT Chad Hippsley Real Estate Classic Girls score. The 14-year-old rising star, who has been playing up a division for the last two years, showed off her talent making five birdies in the second round. “I’ve been practicing all winter,” commented Zhang. “To come back and shoot the 69 on the second day was big highlight after a tough first day.”
Making an 11-shot comeback on day two in the MJT Junior Boys Division was 17-year-old Brycen Ko, of Richmond, BC. Ko struggled in the wind on the first day carding an 80 but surged from behind on the second day firing a 69 (149), finishing with three birdies on his last five holes to take home the MJT Chad Hippsley Real Estate Classic low score honors. “Things didn’t quite go my way on the first day,” commented Ko. “But I’m happy I bounced back and finished birdie-birdie on my last two holes.” 17-year-old Bailey Bjornson of Surrey, BC, picked up his second MJT runner-up finish of the season after shooting 76 and 74 (150).
Ryan Liang, of Vancouver, showed his consistency through all conditions at Morgan Creek recording a pair of 74s (148) to take home the low score honors in the MJT Bantam Boys Division. The 14-year-old 2020 MJT Player of the Year praised his driving over the weekend saying, “I hit driver almost every chance I had, and it worked pretty well for me.” Liang, who has picked up two runner-up finishes in the first two stops of the MJT BC circuit, broke through at Morgan Creek with his first low score honors of the 2021 season.
Team BC player, Manu Gandhi, of West Vancouver, shot 80 and 75 (155) to take home the low score honors in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division. “I enjoyed the challenge,” commented 16-year-old Gandhi, who battled hard on the first day through the extreme wind at Morgan Creek. “The highlight of my week was the downhill slider putt I made on 18 to seal the deal.”
The MJT Peewee Boys Division saw 10-year-old Tiger Xie, of Surrey, card 79 and 80 (159) to take home the low score honors. Xie, who has been developing on the MJT Mini Tour over the last couple of years, had a superb performance on the Junior Tour in tough conditions at Morgan Creek. “I was hitting the ball close to the hole,” commented Xie, when asked about the highlights of his game. “I also made my short putts and made a few long ones.” 12-year-old Jim Zhu, of Vancouver, fired 78 and 82 (160) to finish one shot behind in second.
Amy Lee, 12, of Langley, BC, shot 78 and 80 (158) to take home the low score honors in the MJT Girls U15 Division. Lee got off to the right start both days making routine pars on her first three holes and continued her stellar play throughout the weekend. “I hit some good drives,” commented Lee, whose consistency off the tee was a key to her fine performance. “I managed to hit lots of fairways and stay out of trouble.”
Booster Juice BounceBack Awards for the best improvement in score in round two over round one went to Kaitlyn Lee of Coquitlam, BC, Andrew Hou of Vancouver, Terry Xie of Surrey, and Logan Underwood of North Vancouver, BC.
All scores can be viewed here. The next MJT stop is in Chilliwack, BC, on April 24 and 25 for the MJT Ford Series at Chilliwack Golf and Country Club. More information on the MJT program can be found online at www.maplejt.com.
About Chad Hippsley Real Estate
Chad Hippsley is dedicated to providing excellent customer service. His philosophy is simple: clients come first. He doesn't measure success through achievements or awards, but through the satisfaction of his clients. Today's buyers and sellers need a trusted resource that can guide them through the complex world of real estate. Buying or selling a home is more than just a transaction: it's a life-changing experience. With over 15 years of knowledge and expertise in the White Rock/South Surrey area, give him a call to experience 'results that move you.'
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.