Two playoffs highlight MJT ClubLink Series at Glendale Golf and Country Club
21 JUL 2020
Hamilton, ON - (July 20, 2020) – Young athletes on Canada’s number one-played Junior Golf Tour competed in the ClubLink-sponsored MJT ClubLink Series at Glendale Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, ON, July 18 and 19, handling new player health and safety measures as well as all forms of weather including hot sunshine and a thunderstorm delay.
Extra holes were needed to decide a winner in the MJT Junior Boys Division after 17-year old Kavith Ranchagoda, of Richmond Hill, ON, and 16-year old Michael Weber, of Burlington, ON, both finished the event with total scores of 151. Weber took a three-shot opening round lead firing a 73, but it was Ranchadoga who carded a 75 on the second day to force a playoff. After battling through three playoff holes, Ranchagoda made birdie on the fourth to earn him his first career MJT win. “Going onto number 17, I was four shots back but I knew I wasn’t out of it until all 18 holes were finished,’ said Ranchagoda, who made a birdie on 17 then par on 18 to make the playoff. “It was very tight in the playoff, but I made a clutch putt on the fourth playoff hole to earn the victory.”
The MJT Bantam Boys Division also saw a four-hole playoff take place between Toronto, ON-players Luke Smith, 12, and Matthew Javier, 13. Smith recorded scores of 78 and 75 (153) while Javier fired rounds of 79 and 74 (153) to force extra holes. With both players having chances in the first three holes, Smith emerged victorious claiming his first MJT win in 2020 and third in three years. “I hit a great five iron on the fourth playoff hole to seal the deal,” he said. “it was a great feeling.”
A single shot separated the top two contenders in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division which saw Ancaster, ON-resident Ethan Irvine, 16, take home the title after firing rounds of 77 and 76 (153) to come back from a one-shot deficit after the first day. “First win of the year and it feels great after a couple of close events,” Irvine stated afterwards. “I made a nice birdie on 16 and I finished it off with some solid pars coming home.” Finishing runner-up in the division was 16-year old Benjamin Fowke, of Sudbury, ON, with scores of 76 and 78 (154).
Dawson Lew, 11, of Markham, ON, shot 80 and 74 (154) to come back and win the MJT Peewee Boys Division title. Lew made two birdies and eagled his 18th hole in the second round to win the title by four shots. “I won when my second shot on 18 went right in the cup!” he said.
Richmond Hill-resident Alissa Xu won her second 2020 MJT title of the season firing scores of 75 and 82 (157). The 14-year old golfer, who has made an appearance on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour three of the last four years, has never finished worse than runner-up in any MJT event. “My putting was good,” she summed up. Xu will be looking to continue her reign of dominance in the upcoming events on the 2020 MJT Ontario schedule.
The MJT Girls U15 division was captured by 13-year old Natasha Korman, of Burlington. Korman fired scores of 84 and 86 (170) to win her first career MJT title. “I feel very excited! This is my first two day tournament,” said Korman, who cited driving and her iron play as the best parts of her game.
Full results of the event can be viewed here. The next Ontario stop will take place in Cambridge on July 25 and 26 for the MJT Summer Classic presented by Freedom 55 Financial at The Galt Country Club. More information is online at www.maplejt.com.
About ClubLink Corporation: ClubLink is engaged in golf club operations under the trademark, “ClubLink One Membership More Golf.” ClubLink is Canada’s largest owner and operator of golf clubs with 53.5 18-hole equivalent championship and 3.5 18-hole equivalent academy courses at 41 locations in Ontario, Quebec and Florida. A ClubLink membership gives you access to every course in the ClubLink family. Simply choose a Home Club that suits your needs from a location and lifestyle perspective. It’s where you will enjoy preferred access to tee times, participate in club events and play the majority of your golf. But no matter which Home Club you select, you’ve opened the door to every course in the ClubLink family. Click here to visit the ClubLink website.
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.
Media Contact: Sadiq Jiwa, MJT Marketing and Communications Manager, sjiwa@maplejt.com