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Surrey, BC. (September 30, 2016) – The Fall golf season is in full swing as junior golfers showcased their skills at the Hazelmere Golf & Tennis Club last weekend. After two days of outstanding performances, six members of the Canadian Junior Golf Association were crowned with division titles.

Junior Boys Division (U19)

Vancouver golfer Christian Zalli, 17, from Vancouver, BC, claimed top spot in the Junior Boys division. Zalli posted rounds of 71 (-1), 75 (+3), for a total of 146 (+2).

“I made every up-and-down and I couldn’t miss a putt,” explained Zalli. “I didn’t have a lot of birdie chances but when I did – I capitalized. Today I tried to stay aggressive. I knew if I kept plodding along and play my game that I could get these guys.”

Adam Veenstra, 18, from Smithers BC and Willis Lee, 17, from Langley BC, shared second place. Veenstra carded rounds of 74 (+2), 77 (+5), for a total of 151 (+7), while Lee shot 78 (+6), 73 (+1), for a two-day total of 151 (+7).

Junior Girls Division (U19)

Susan Xiao, 14, from Surrey BC holed a wedge shot on the 16th hole for an eagle to take a one-stroke lead over second place winner Euna Han, with two holes to play in the Junior Girls division. Han, 14, from Coquitlam, BC, dropped her birdie putt on the 16th hole to fall one back of Xiao. When both golfers finished par-par Xiao hung on for the win.

“We were back-and-forth the entire round,” explained Han, 14. “I chipped in on #9 for birdie to take the lead and then Susan holed it on the 16th for an eagle. We both played well. It was a good day.”

Xiao carded rounds of 76 (+4), 72 (E), for a two-day total of 148 (+4), while Han shot 78 (+6), 71 (-1), for a two-day total of 149 (+5).

Juvenile Boys Division (U17)

Andy Kim put a new putter in his bag and had his best tournament of the season winning the Juvenile Boys division.

Kim and his new Odyssey Two-Ball putter recorded 12 birdies over two days shooting rounds of 68 (-4), 70 (-2), for a two-day total of 138, to finish six-under for the tournament. The first round Kim needed only 23 putts and the second day 25 putts. That’s a remarkable 48 putts over two rounds and proof to the 16-year old from Langley, B.C. that his new putter works.

“My putting let me down all summer and I felt it was time for a change,” explained Kim who plays out of Langley’s Redwood GC. “I didn’t have a single miss with this putter. Weight control was good. I was confident with everything.”

Andy Jang, 16, from Langley, BC claimed the second place position. Jang carded rounds of 74 (+2), 74 (+2), for a two-day total of 148 (+4).

Juvenile Girls Division (U17)

Jayla Yoonji Kang, 16, from Langley, BC, claimed top spot in the Juvenile Girls division shooting 78 (+6), 74 (+2), for a two-day total of 152 (+8).

“My second shots on the back nine today were really good,” explained Kang, 16. “My driving was really good and I hit a lot of fairways. My putting let me down a few times and I know my putting needs to get better.”

Coming in second place was Sandee Park, 15, from West Vancouver, BC. Park posted rounds of 85, 79 (+7), for a two-day total of 165.

Bantam Boys Division (U15)

Ilirian Zalli, 14, from Vancouver, BC, carded six birdies over two days to win the Bantam Boys division. Zalli posted rounds of 75 (+3), 74 (+2), for a two-day total of 149 (+5).

“I’m frustrated the way I finished the first round,” said Zalli. “I was 34 on the front nine and then 41 on the back nine. I just made too many easy mistakes. It feels good to win though. I played pretty well.”

Andy Luo, 13, from Burnaby, BC, earned the second spot posting rounds of 77 (+5), 78 (+6), for a two-day total of 155.

Bantam Girls Division (U15)

Two of the most improved golfers playing CJGA for the past year are Rachel Chung and Angela Arora. Both were new-to-the-game in 2015 and both struggled to break 100. Fast forward the clock one year later and both golfers can shoot in the 70’s.

Chung, 14, from Abbotsford, BC, won the Bantam Girls division shooting tremendous rounds of 82, 76 (+4), for a two-day total of 158.

“Last year the guys in my academy (AKGT Academy) were teasing me that I was the only player in my division and I won shooting 100-100. I’ve only been playing tournaments for just over a year and I’m very satisfied with where my game is going.”

Finishing in second place was Angela Arora, 12, from Surrey, BC, who carded rounds of 85, 78 (+6), for a two-day total of 164.

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:
Melissa Foong
CJGA Communications Assistant
melissa.foong@cjga.com