Rocco & Xing Win Low Overall Titles At MJT’s Tarandowah Stop
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- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2021-09-30
SPRINGFIELD, Ontario — With the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s season in Ontario coming down to its final stretch, Canada’s number-one played junior golf tour hosted the second-last event on September 18 and 19 in Springfield, where juniors competed for titles in six divisions in the MJT Ontario Series at Tarandowah Golfers Club.
A great score from the forward tees by 11-year-old Andy Dai, of Markham, ON, added to his collection of wins in the MJT Peewee Boys Division. Dai fired rounds of 71 and 74 (145) to win the title by four shots. “I felt very nervous, but also very excited to play in this event,” said Dai, who was able to keep his nerves in check to win. “I like this golf course and winning this tournament feels like I accomplished something big.” Cambridge, ON, golfer Brayden Card, 12, shot 77 and 72 (149) to finish runner-up in the division.
Toronto, ON’s Matteo Rocco, 16, edged out a one-shot victory in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division with solid rounds of 72 and 75 (147). After sitting tied for the lead on the first day, Rocco held it together right to the last hole to claim the title and low overall boys score. “The course was tough and a great test of my game,” commented Rocco. “I hit the ball well off the tee, but my irons were the best part of my game.” Mississauga, ON’s Mitchell Grey, 16, finished the division in second place with scores of 72 and 76 (148).
The low overall girls score for the tournament came from 13-year-old Michelle Xing, of Richmond Hill, ON, who plays up in the MJT Girls 15-19 Division. Xing, in just her second year playing on the MJT, shot 72 and 75 (147) to pick up her sixth junior tour title with her performance at Tarandowah Golfers Club. “My putting was good as I was able to make most of my short putts on both days,” commented Xing. “I was also able to find most fairways and it feels good to get the win.” Kiera Hou, 15, of Richmond Hill, ON, shot 80 and 76 (156) to finish runner-up.
In the MJT Junior Boys Division, 17-year-old John Orlebar held on to claim the title by one shot. The Springfield, ON, local recorded scores of 71 and 81 (152), giving himself enough of a cushion on the first day finish at the top of the podium. “My short game saved me on a few holes over the weekend,” commented Orlebar. “It feels good to get the win on my home course.” Mississauga, ON’s Zachary Taus, 18, finished second with scores of 78 and 75 (153).
Picking up a two-shot win in the MJT Bantam Boys Division was 13-year-old Ashton Rinaldi, of Springwater, ON. Rinaldi came back to win the title after shooting scores of 81 and 78 (159). “I’d say my mental game was strong and that helped me come back to win,” commented Rinaldi. “It feels good to get the win on the MJT after winning my last tournament.” Melbourne, ON, resident William McEachern, 14, recorded rounds of 76 and 85 (161) to finish in the runner-up position.
The MJT Girls U15 Division title was captured by 12-year-old Celina Yeo, of London, ON. Yeo shot 80 and 75 (155) to win in convincing fashion. “I felt very excited to play in this tournament,” commented Yeo on her first career MJT victory. “The course was tough and the conditions were good and I feel really happy to win this tournament.” Katherine Hou, 12, of Richmond Hill, came in second (89, 92=181).
The final tournament of the year, the MJT Fall Classic presented by Freedom 55 Financial at Galt Country Club, will take place on October 3 and 4 in Cambridge, ON. 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.