Ryan Vest and Jaden Steinke of Vernon finished second in their divisions in the 12th annual Maple Leaf Odlum Brown Classic-PGA of BC Junior Championship at Northview Golf Club in Surrey,
Warm weather and a course in pristine condition were enjoyed by 120 juniors beginning on the Canal Course with a cut after 36 holes for the final round on the Ridge Course.
The field competed for titles in eight divisions in the Professional Golfers’ Association of British Columbia-endorsed tournament, as well as the chance to qualify for both the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship at Reunion Resort, in Orlando, and the International Team Challenge (ITC) presented by Freedom 55 Financial in Niagara Falls.
The Pee Wee championwas Justin Bjornson, 11, of Surrey, who shot 73-74-68-215 to win by two strokes over Vest, 11. Vest, who plays out of Predator Ridge, carded 74-74-69-217.
It was Bjornson’s fifth win of the season on the MJT.
“I feel great and happy to know I played well,” he said. “My drive on hole six today was really good, and it set up my putt for eagle.”
More hot scoring was witnessed from Ben Whiton, 18, of Langley, who blazed his way around both courses with fantastic scores of 72-66-69 (207) for a 9-under total Junior Boys victory over Steinke, 17.
“It feels great,” said Whiton. “After shooting 66, I wanted to back it up with another great round, and that’s what I did, it feels amazing. The key was my iron play. I hit 16 greens the last day so it was nice to have stress free pars.”
Steinke went 75-74-72-221, one stroke head of Vernon clubmate Brandon Chai, who shot 74-75-73. There was a field of 22. Dexter Weiten of Vernon missed the cut at 79-86-165.
The first highlight, after a hole-in-one on hole No. 3 on the Canal course in Round 2 by 16-year-old Bradley Seto of Fraserview in Vancouver, was the incredible play from 14-year-old Bantam phenomenon Andy Luo of Burnaby, who fired a 15-under 69-66-66 (201) off the regular tees.
Jackson Jacob, 16, of Fort Langley, claimed the Juvenile title at 69-72-69-210 to win by two strokes over Michael Wu, 16, of Victoria. Vernon’s Braeden Cooper was ninth at 78-78-74-230.