Minni Makes It Three With Win At Swaneset In CJGA Nike Series
Delta, B.C.'s Amanda Minni Picked Up Her Third Win On The CJGA Circuit At Swaneset Bay Resort and Country Club - Image courtesy CJGA Facebook
-Six Juniors Earn Exemptions into the Nike Golf Junior Championships-
Pitt Meadows, B.C (April 18, 2016) -The first of eight Nike Golf Junior Series tournaments commenced this past weekend at the Swaneset Bay Resort and Country Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C.
During the two-day event, junior golfers from the lower mainland as well as Alberta competed for invitations to the coveted Nike Golf Junior Championship to be held in Ontario later this summer. The highlight of the tournament goes to Sarah Lawrence, who claimed her first career CJGA win with a two-day total of eight under par.
"The girls stole the show at Swaneset this past weekend" said CJGA BC Tournament Director, Brad Ewart. "Sarah Lawrence, Victoria Liu and Mai Hiyashi all shot their best tournament scores ever. For the rest of the girls, many shot their best competitive scores as well."
Junior Girls (U19)
Sarah Lawrence, 18, of Duvall, WA., celebrated her first CJGA tournament win over the weekend. Lawrence found her stride and managed to come out on top with rounds of 69 (-3), 67 (-5) for an overall score of 136.
Over the weekend, Lawrence had an incredible seven birdies during round one and five birdies during her second round. "That's the most birdies I've ever had and my best-ever tournament round," beamed Lawrence. "I've never done that well before!"
Victoria Liu, 13, of Vancouver B.C., followed up Lawrence with round scores of 78 (+6), 68 (-4) carding a two-day score of 146. Liu made 29 puts and hit 85 per cent of her greens on day one. "That was my first time shooting in the 60s," explained Liu. "My approach shots and my putting were really good, giving me six birdies!"
Junior Boys (U19)
Claiming the Junior Boys division title was Tanvir Kahlon, 18, from Surrey, B.C., with scores of 73 (+1), 70 (-2) for a tournament total of 143. Kahlon, originally from New Delhi, India attended the Core Golf Academy in Florida for two years, helping him to achieve his first Canadian win at the Nike Golf Junior Series.
With a driving average of 315 yards for the tournament, Kahlon was excited about his newest accomplishment. "This was my first win in Canada, I have been here for almost a year and I thought I was jinxed! But I won and broke that jinx!"
Three strokes back, Mitchell Thiessen, 17, of Chilliwack, B.C., posted two rounds of 73 (+2) ending the weekend with a score of 146.
Juvenile Girls (U17)
Amanda Minni, 17, of Delta, B.C., added a third CJGA win to her resume, posting scores of 75 (+3), 73 (+1) and a two-day total of 148. It was a very consistent two rounds for Minni, even though she recorded no birdies for the tournament. "It was all pars today with just one bogey," said Minni. "I didn't hit into any hazards but I kept hitting it long and past the pin on every hole."
Six shots back of Minni in the runner-up position was Jessica Wu, 17, of Langley, B.C., who posted two rounds of 77 (+5) for a tournament total of 154.
Juvenile Boys (U17)
With two quick bogeys on the opening holes of his final round, Kahn Lee, 17, of Surrey, B.C., settled down and managed five birdies for a score of 70 (-2). After posting a first round of 73 (-1), Lee finished the tournament with a total of 143, claiming his third career CJGA title. Lee's confidence was at an all time high when asked about what he could have improved. "My iron shots, distance control and tee shots were perfect and I didn't miss any fairways!"
Just two strokes back from Lee was Daniel Sun, 16, also from Surrey B.C., had two impressive rounds of 70 (-2), 75 (+3) making a two-day total of 145.
Bantam Girls (U15)
Mai Hayashi, 12, of Vancouver, B.C., carded scores of 85, 77 for a two-day total of 162. Although she struggled after the first round, swing adjustments helped her heading into the final round. "That was my best tournament score ever," said an elated Hayashi. "I wasn't happy with my first round score. I wanted to get into the 70s today and I did it so I'm proud of myself."
Rachel Chung, 14, of Abbotsford, B.C., followed behind Hayashi with rounds of 100, 81 making a two-day total of 181.
Bantam Boys (U15)
Tony Li, 14, of Vancouver, B.C., claimed the bantam boys division title after going wire to wire with scores of 78 (+6), 76 (+4) for a two-day total of 154 after competing in his first ever CJGA tournament. "I had a positive mindset today," said Li. "I made my first up-and-down sand save in about four months."
Six shots back was Leo Harper, 14, of Burnaby, B.C., and Sher Sidhu, 14, of Surrey, B.C., with two-day totals of 160.
About Nike Golf Canada
Based in Thornhill, Ontario, Nike Golf Canada markets, sells and distributes industry leading Nike Golf equipment, apparel, balls, footwear, bags and accessories throughout Canada. Nike Golf is passionately dedicated to honoring and respecting the traditions and heritage of the game, and to providing committed golfers with the best equipment in the game. For more information on Nike Golf Canada, visit www.nikegolf.ca.
To follow Nike Golf on Twitter visit www.twitter.com/nikegolf and to become a fan on Facebook go to www.facebook.com/nikegolf.
About Canadian Junior Golf Association
The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) is a "registered Canadian amateur athletic association" (RCAAA) not-for-profit registered federally with Revenue Canada. The CJGA is dedicated to providing Canada's junior golfers with the necessary skills and knowledge required to lay a foundation for a future in competitive golf.
Through its six-stage competitive development program that focuses on tournaments, clinics, international competitions, and mentoring programs with PGA Tour professionals, the CJGA introduces the game to juniors as young as five and offers competitive multi-day events for the more advanced golfer. The CJGA acts as a feeder system to provincial and national competitions, collegiate and university golf, as well as professional and recreational golf.
For more information, please visit www.cjga.com
Its National Partner, Freedom 55 Financial, which provides financial security advice and planning for Canadians, generously supports the Canadian Junior Golf Association.
For Additional Information:
Brad Ewart
BC Tournament Director
Canadian Junior Golf Association
brad.ewart@cjga.com