Spectacular Scoring & Hole-In-One At Rainy MJT G&G Prodigy Series In BC
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2021-09-06
LANGLEY, British Columbia — Just shy of 100 junior golfers from across the province took part in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s MJT G&G Prodigy Series at Pagoda Ridge Golf Course in Langley, BC, the last tournament counting towards the MJT BC Order of Merit presented by RBC and qualification for the MJT National Championship presented by TaylorMade and adidas Golf. Despite rainy conditions, the packed event was highlighted by hot scoring throughout as well as a hole-in one by Claudia Zhang, 14, of West Vancouver, BC, on the eighth hole on day two.
Picking up his third 2021 MJT Bantam Boys Division win in spectacular style was 14-year-old Austin Krahn, of Christina Lake, BC. Krahn fired back-to-back under-par scores of 68 and 71 (139) to win the title by a convincing six-shot margin. “I really wanted to pick up my third win,” commented Krahn. “My putting was really good as I made five putts over 10 feet.” Surrey, BC, resident Harvey Liu, 14, finished runner-up with scores of 73 and 72 (145) and rounding out the podium in third place was 14-year-old Emil Liddell, of Vancouver, BC, with scores of 75 and 71 (146).
There was no stopping 15-year-old Martina Yu, in the MJT Girls 15-19 Division, who turned up the heat as the sun came out on the second day of play. The Coquitlam, BC, golfer, who currently competes on Team BC, opened the tournament with a round of 72, tied at the top of the leaderboard. Yu went on to make seven birdies in her second round on her way to a four-under par 68 (140) and a four-shot victory. “It feels good to get the win and really boosts my confidence,” commented Yu, who had not won on the MJT since 2019. “My putting was a crucial part of my game and I’m super happy I played well the second day.” The 2020 MJT National Champion, Tina Jiang, 16, of Richmond, BC, made a great comeback on the second day as well, recording scores of 74 and 70 (144) to finish in second place.
Coming back to take home the title in the MJT Junior Boys Division was MJT veteran champion Danny Im. The 17-year-old local Langley, BC, golfer fired rounds of 73 and 70 (143) to win the title by three shots. “I hit 17 greens in regulation on the first day and 16 on the second day,” commented Im, who was scarcely off the fairways and greens. “Even though it rained, the course condition was in great shape and it feels great to comeback and win after being two shots down.” Finishing runner-up with scores of 71 and 75 (146) was 17-year-old Luke Spencer, of Delta, BC.
Nanaimo, BC, golfer Matthew Wilson, 15, kept hold of the lead for most of the tournament and finished with the victory in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division. Wilson fired 74 and 71 (145), winning by four shots. “My game felt pretty good going into this week, so I knew I could get the job done,” commented Wilson. “I never lost a ball in the tournament and kept the ball in play off the tee.” Climbing back up the leaderboard to finish in second place was 16-year-old Caleb Davies, of Langley, BC, with scores of 77 and 72 (149).
Earning her third win of the year in the MJT Girls U15 Division was 13-year-old Amy Lee, also of Langley, BC. Lee carded rock-solid back-to-back rounds of 73 and 73 (146), faltering only once over 36 holes but coming back to get the win. “I was happy with how I played after the first round given how rainy it was,” commented Lee. “My shots were accurate and I got some good distance with my driver.” Vancouver, BC, golfer YanLing (Elaine) Liu, 13, came second with scores of 74 and 75 (149).
The 2021 MJT Mini Tour National Champion was back at it again at Pagoda Ridge in the MJT Peewee Boys Division, coming from behind to pull off a one-shot victory. Jim Zhu, 12, of Vancouver, BC, has picked up a handful of wins this year both on the MJT Mini Tour and MJT Junior Tour. This time around, Zhu recorded rounds of 77 and 71 (148), finishing with two consecutive birdies on 17 and 18 to grab the division title. “The second round was sunny and I had lots of fun,” commented Zhu. “My putting and my mental game were the reasons why I won.” Pitt Meadows, BC, golfer Jaden August, 12, had to settle for runner-up after finishing one stroke back with scores of 76 and 73 (149).
The MJT Booster Juice BounceBack awards for most improved score in round two over round one went to Dara Miao, Ashley Chen, Ethan Zeng, Julius Yang, and Andrew Biggar. Full results can be viewed here.
The BC Junior Tour next heads to Richmond to host the MJT Ford Series at Mayfair Lakes Golf and Country Club on October 2 and 3. More details can be found at www.maplejt.com.
About G&G Golf Company
G&G Golf is a wholesale supplier to the Canadian golf & corporate industry which also sells into Australia and the USA through its distributors and sales reps. It prides itself on being a people-first company that is passionate about the game of golf and all that goes into it. Whether you need fresh new ideas for your next golf event, or access to some of the top brands in North America, G&G is there for all your golf business needs.
About Prodigy Headwear
Established in 2007 and designed in Vancouver BC, Prodigy Headwear was the beginning for the Prodigy brand. Combining low minimum orders with quick turnaround times, Prodigy Headwear has become a leader in the Canadian headwear industry. Various styles include, core, technical, lifestyle, fitted, visors, and specialty. With a strong variety of style, colours and fabrics, Prodigy Headwear is truly customizable.
About Prodigy Apparel
Established in 2012 and designed in Vancouver BC, Prodigy Apparel has become a leader in the Canadian customized apparel market. Offering a strong variety of colours in hoodies, sweatshirts, long sleeves, and t-shirts. Prodigy Apparel provides fresh styles to a category that is often very traditional. Combining innovative styles with performance technologies, Prodigy Apparel offers a variety of quality apparel items designed for the golf market that are available year-round.
About MXM Golf
Established in 1991, MXM Golf designs and manufactures value-driven golf accessories. MXM Golf offers the ultimate value driven golf accessories made from quality materials. Combining simplicity and unique styling MXM Golf offers over 20 different product categories from divot tools, umbrellas, bag tags, all the way to head covers and poker chips.
About Big Max
BIG MAX was founded in 1994 and has grown into a global market leading push cart and golf bag brand and has been known as the leading golf cart manufacturer in Europe for more than 20 years now. Their innovative “Fold Flat” cart designs have been awarded the “Golf Digest Editor’s Choice Award for Best Push Cart” the last 3 years running.
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.