Surrey’s Arora Racks Up 12 Birdies in 40km/h Winds at MJT TaylorMade Series in Vancouver
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2019-05-11
By MAPLE LEAF JUNIOR GOLF TOUR
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour continued its 2019 British Columbia circuit on May 4 and 5 with the MJT TaylorMade Series at University Golf Club in Vancouver, where junior golfers were competing in seven divisions through 40km/h wind at the home course of the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds Golf Team. Tournament players were also vying for spots on Team West in the National Team Challenge in Niagara Falls, ON, and in the Nordic Team Matches to be held in Sweden later this year.
We begin with incredibly strong performances in the MJT Girls 15-18 Division by 14-year old Angela Arora of Surrey, BC (playing up a division) and 16-year old, West Vancouver, BC, native, Jennifer Gu. Arora carded rounds of 71 and 74 (145) which included an impressive 12 birdies during the tournament, leading to a one-shot victory and the Low Overall Girls score. Gu made a notable charge for Arora on day two firing a three-under, 69, which contained five birdies, including one on the 18th hole, but fell just shy (77-69=146). “I knew [Gu] was really close during my second round,” commented Arora. “I made birdie on the par five 14th and that gave me confidence to finish off the round.”
Olivia Wu, 11, of Victoria, BC, cruised to an eight-shot victory in the MJT Girls U15 Division with rounds of 68 and 78 (146). Wu, who made eight birdies in the tournament, said, “I played the par threes well at two-under. I know I have lots of work to do, but I’m happy with the win.” After finishing third at the MJT’s Morgan Creek stop last month, Wu wins her first MJT Tournament of the 2019 season. Runner-up in the division was 13-year old Erin Lee of Langley, BC, who finished with rounds of 74 and 80 (154).
Ryan Liang, 12, of Vancouver, BC, claimed his third MJT Peewee Boys Hoselton Trophy with steady rounds of 75 and 75 (150). “It always feels good to win,” Liang said afterwards. “I like the competitiveness of the MJT tournaments and I’m looking forward to the next one.” Another Vancouverite, Michael Li, 11, came second with rounds of 83 and 76 (159).
The MJT Bantam Boys title went to Aaron Huang, 13, of Vancouver, who won by two shots over Langley, BC native, Danny Im, 14. Huang, who fired scores of 78 and 80 (158), attributed his win to his play on the Par threes, “I feel good winning, but I could have done better. I made two birdies on hole two and played the par threes at one-under. That’s what won me the tournament.” Im, who shot 85 in the first round and was sitting seven shots back, stormed back with a 75 in round two to finish second with a total of 160.
15-year old, Joseph Mireault, of Delta, BC, sailed to victory in the MJT Juvenile Division with scores of 78 and 83 (161). Starting day two with a one-shot lead over Prince George, BC native, Hayden Prive (79, 88 - 167), 16, Mireault survived the gusting winds to finish with a six-shot victory over Port Moody, BC native, Ben Dragan, 15, who won the Booster Juice MJT Comeback Award with rounds of 90 and 77 (167). “I had a great first round and that was good enough to win,” said Mireault, who has become an experienced tournament player on the MJT.
The MJT Junior Boys Division was conquered by 17-year old, Riley Geiger, of Langley. Geiger, who finished with steady scores of 78 and 77 (155), knew how to navigate the second round when the conditions became difficult: “It feels like all the practice I did paid off and all the experience from the bad rounds in the wind were worth it.” Finishing four shots back of the lead was Ryan You, 17, also of Langley, who finished with rounds of 82 and 77 (159).
Gavin Ciulla, 21, of Surrey, BC, came out to shoot great scores of 76 and 73 (149) in the MJT Collegiate Division, which included seven birdies during the tournament. “After not having played many rounds yet this year, it feels great to win,” remarked Ciulla. “I hit a lot of quality shots while playing in some tough conditions.”
For PLYR Long Drive, PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin and the MJT Booster Juice Comeback Award winners, please visit the highlights page for the tournament here. Winners of spots on the Nordic Junior Team to Sweden and Team West in the National Team Challenge in Niagara Falls, ON, will be announced once qualifying has completed across the country.
The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in BC is in Langley on May 25 and 26 - the MJT Lindsay Kenney Classic at Pagoda Ridge Golf Club. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.
About TaylorMade Golf
Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, TaylorMade Golf is a leading manufacturer of high performance golf equipment and golf balls and a major force on the PGA TOUR. With industry-leading innovative products like M1/M2 metalwoods, M1/M2 irons and TP5 golf balls, TaylorMade has one of the strongest athlete portfolios in golf, with six players in the current Top 12 in the world. Key athletes include world Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, Masters champion Sergio Garcia, Olympic champion Justin Rose and Jon Rahm.
About the MJT
The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour presented by Boston Pizza 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 presented nationally by Boston Pizza and supported by valued Premier, Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts close to 80 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7 to 12 year olds, the Collegiate Tour for 19 to 23 year olds, and multi-day events for competitive players aged 11 to 18 which are also qualifiers for international competitions. The program offers annual awards, scholarships, and frequent player incentives to help reward player's 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 provincial, national, university and professional level. For more information, see www.maplejt.com.