Round One - - 2009 'Little Masters'

 By HARRY WHITE
 
The biggest junior golf tournament in the west, first played in 1966 and held primarily in the Lower Mainland thanks to pioneers like Bill McIntosh, Bill Wright, Jack Ellis and others, is off and running with happy faces and good golf to boot.
   
2009 sees another field of very optimistic junior boys and girls enjoying the ancient and honourable game of golf.  Host golf courses Musqueam Golf & Learning Academy, Langley Golf Centre, Sunshine Woods Golf Centre and the King's Links By The Sea are once again making their facilities available and open to our youth and we thank them sincerely for their generosity!

One hundred and fifteen golfers signed up to take on the four golf courses over four days, and Day One was held under cloudy skies and intermittent rain - and as usual these golfers were unfazed. 

Leading the way are the Age 6 and under Boys "Pee Wees" and Vancouver's Markus YIU, who fired a smooth 72 for the lead over Victoria's Jeevan SIHOTA who returned a 78.

Age 7-8 Boys "Pee Wees" division is led by the, oh-so-talented, Michael CRISOLOGO of Richmond with a solid 62 over Musqueam's "par" 60 course. One of the tournament favorites, Ilirian ZALLI, had a slow start Monday with a 66 but no doubt will make his usual charge in rounds to come. Very close behind are a trio of up and coming lads, namely Raymond LI of Vancouver with a 69, Gabriel PORGES from Plantation, Florida at 70 and Dylan BERCAN of Vancouver, who also shot 70.  Great playing boys!

Age 9-10 Boys "Divots" also have a very competitive grouping, with Christian ZALLI of Vancouver on top with a 65, a slim shot ahead of Tristan MANDUR of Mill Bay and four clear of Coquitlam's A.J. EWART.

Age 11-12 Boys "Bear Cubs" featured a "Hole-in-One" by Vancouver's Alexander JEWKES, the first career "ace" of his journey in golf.  Alex fired a 64 but finds himself trailing leader Donald QIU of Richmond by seven shots. Donald had six birdies for the best round of the day -- 57, three under par!  Close behind and champing at the bit are Langley's Cole BRIGGS and Henry LEE of Coquitlam, both at 63 and Surrey's Sy LOVAN at 64.
   
Age 13-15 Boys "Tiger Cubs" division is really a tight race with no less than three boys tied at even par 60 - Aaron FERRER of Delta, Changmin LEE of Vancouver and Kevin VIGNA of Coquittlam.  Newcomer Nathan JOHNSON of Langley looks solid too at 61!  Let the "spirit prevail"!

The Junior Girls Divisions see Age 10 and Under gals right on track for great golf with 8-year-old Tiffany KONG of Vancouver, who shot 65!  Well done Tiffany!  Next is Pitt Meadow's Cecile KWON, whose 69 gives her the second spot so far, with young Claire LOVAN of Surrey, always smiling, came in with a 72.

Girls Age 11-15 grouping, with just eight golfers entered, has veteran Nayan CALSIN MURDOCH out front with a very excellent 62 and leading by seven shots!  Yvonne ZHENG of Vancouver will have to get the birdies going to catch Nayan but she is capable and sits at 69, four up on Lana GILL of Vancouver.

Round Two goes Tuesday morning at the Langley Golf Centre, a very sporty layout on the Langley heights.  Better weather is predicted and that's great! 

The third day is Wednesday, starting at noon, at the Sunshine Woods golf course in Delta, with the top forty (40) boys and girls getting a chance to try out the Kings Links by the Sea in Delta on Thursday starting at 1 p.m.  Spectators are welcome – so come on out and see some inspiring golf action!

Who knows, you could be watching the next Canadian to win an NCAA title, a Canadian Amateur crown or replace Nick Taylor of Abbotsford as the No. 1 ranked amateur in the world.

Harry White may be reached at 604-261-4390 or email: jrlinkster@shaw.ca (www.jrlinkster.com) & (www.naturalgolf) or moe2b@shaw.ca