August, Davies Nab Second Consecutive MJT Titles, Hao Wins Third Of Season At Ledgeview
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- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2021-07-23
ABBOTSFORD, British Columbia — Marking the halfway point of the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s 2021 schedule in British Columbia was the MJT British Columbia Series at Ledgeview Golf and Country Club in Abbotsford on July 12 and 13. An elite field of golfers from across the province competed for titles in six divisions, capitalizing on the opportunity to earn valuable points on the MJT’s Order of Merit presented by RBC.
Shooting sizzling low scores to return to the top of the podium for the second MJT event in a row was 12-year-old Jaden August, of Pitt Meadows, BC. August fired outstanding rounds of 69 and 68 (137), winning back-to-back MJT Peewee Boys titles, and finished as the only player in the entire field with a two-day score under par. August’s tournament included eight birdies over 36 holes complimenting a hole-out eagle on the par four first hole on day two, draining a shot from 50 yards out. “I feel like I had a very strong mindset,” commented August, who kept his emotions in check throughout the competition. “The course was in fantastic condition with some of the best greens and I feel really excited to get the win.”
Caleb Davies, 16, of Langley, BC, also won a second consecutive MJT Juvenile Boys title, coming from behind with scores of 73 and 70 (143). Davies started the second day one shot back of the lead and finished the tournament with a three-shot victory. “The key to my victory was my iron play,” commented Davies, who has been spending more time with his coach working on his approach shots onto the greens. “I feel great about getting the win.” Joshua Ince, 15, of Surrey, BC, was runner-up with solid scores of 72 and 74 (146).
The MJT Girls U15 Division saw steady scoring from 14-year-old Ling Yu (Katherine) Hao, of Burnaby, BC. Hao, who has made a name for herself on the MJT with three wins this year, returned to the top of the podium after firing rounds of 72 and 71 (143). “It feels really nice to get another win on the MJT,” commented Hao. “I really enjoyed the golf course and I was focused on every shot.” Amy Lee, 13, of Langley, was runner-up with scores of 72 and 78 (150).
The MJT Junior Boys Division saw an exciting finish take place with a great come-back effort. Claiming the division title was 19-year-old Ryan You, of Langley, who fired 70 and 74 (144). You held on to the lead, withstanding a late charge from 17-year-old Andrew Biggar, of Abbotsford, BC. “I tried to wait for the right chances,” commented You, who managed Ledgeview very well. “My putts helped me when I needed them most.” Biggar shot 76 and 69 (145), going three-under bogey-free in his last nine holes to finish one shot behind.
Harry Yoon, 14, of Vancouver, BC, earned his first ever MJT title at Ledgeview in the MJT Bantam Boys Division after firing rounds of 73 and 71 (144). Yoon, who is playing in his first year on the MJT, didn’t take long to reach the top of the podium after finishing in sixth place last week in Chilliwack. “I feel really good because it’s the first time I won,” commented Yoon. “The course was hard, but I played it well and I’m really happy to have won.” Austin Krahn, 13, of Christina Lake, BC, finished the division in second place with scores of 74 and 76 (150).
Coquitlam, BC, golfer June Hsiao, 14, earned her first MJT Girls 15-19 win of the season at Ledgeview with rock-solid rounds of 74 and 75 (149). Hsiao, who last played a full season on the MJT in 2019, quickly returned to the top of the podium. “I tried to keep things simple,” commented Hsiao, who was hitting lots of fairways and greens. “I feel good to win because it’s been a while since playing on the MJT.”
The MJT Booster Juice BounceBack Awards for most improved score from round one to round two were Jasper Want, Jerry Li, Gavin Cameron, Andrew Biggar and Kendra Jones-Munk.
Full results can be viewed here.
The MJT BC Junior Tour next heads to the interior of the province for two events in a row - the MJT Ford Series at Rivershore Golf Links and the MJT Nicola Wealth Classic at Okanagan Golf Club. More details can be found online at www.maplejt.com.
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.