It was sweet redemption for Daniel Xu at the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Mini Tour National Championship held at Tsawwassen Springs.
The 12-year-old from Richmond captured the MJT National Boys 11-12 Division title division thanks to a one-under par 69 in the final round for a two-day total of 148 (69-79) from 5,097 yards.
The win came after Xu lost in a playoff a year ago and earns him a spot in the U.S. Kids Golf Monterey Challenge in Monterey, California come November.
“I feel great winning my division. I am very honoured to win the National Championship,” he said. “I played aggressive all day today, which helped me erase a six-shot deficit.”
Runner-up to Xu was Emil Liddell, 11, of Vancouver, who shot solid rounds of 77, 73 for a two-day total of 150.
Other results involving Richmond players included Alex Zhang (76-76) finishing third in the Boys 9-10 Division, while Aidan Liu (79-78).
That division was won by Jaden August, 9, of Pitt Meadows who shot 78- 68 (146) from 4,010 yards to win the title by four-strokes over Michael Li, 10, of Vancouver.
Almost 100 boys and girls took part in the Ford-sponsored events at the well-organized Tsawwassen facility, as the MJT also simultaneously hosted a Cam Clark Ford Go Golf! Free Junior Clinic to introduce beginners to the game as well.
A successful 2018 season is now over for the MJT Mini Tour. Early-bird membership will open in December for the 2019 season and details will be posted at www.maplejt.com.
