EVENT #3: Optimist Junior Linkster Tour – Sponsored by Marketplace IGA – March 28-29, 2011

NEWS - March 30, 2011

Spring Match Play@ Rupert Park GC, Vancouver & Cove Links GC, Ladner, BC

Spring is here and so is the enthusiastic play of our youngest golfers in BC. Play began in earnest at 9 am at the sporty Rupert Park golf course in Vancouver, a Par 54 event at 1300 yards. The Age 10 & Under boys and girls enjoyed great greens and friendly support by staff, parents and friends.

Leading the way were the Age 6 & Under Junior boys, with Thomas Reed of Maple Ridge winning his 36-Hole match over young Nathan Szpakowicz of Vancouver. These boys play real golf – step up and swing – aim and fire! And, as result were finished their 18 Hole rounds in less than two hours! The PGA Tour and all golf could learn a real lesson in how to play and enjoy the game with no fuss and no muss – no thinking, trying or concentrating! Play is the operative word for Junior Linkser golfers and that is our goal is for one and all the enjoy the ancient and honourable game of golf!

Age 7-8 Boys were no less enthusiastic but a little slower and more deliberate. Great matches over the two days say Surrey's Sher Sidhu take the crown in a terrific match with Coquitlam's Zackary Wilensky in the finals. Another hotly contested match saw Vancouver's Markus Yiu take the third place bronze medal after a very close match with pal Mackenzie Bickell of Vancouver.

Age 9-10 Division brought out the cream of the crop and birdies were flying freely and very nearly a hole in one or two. Again taking dead aim at every flag stick, Ilirian Zalli of Vancouver prevailed in the final over smooth swinging Tiffany Kong, also of Vancouver. Third spot goes to the always popular and improving Dylan Bercan of Vancouver. This division is one of the most competitive with many Optimist and Callaway Junior World appearances and top finishes for them.

Junior Girls division saw some new and young lassies taking on the delightful Rupert Park GC for the first time with some happy and productive results. Our youngest, Chantelle Wang, Age 6, of Vancouver, displayed great form and strength – she will become a top champion for sure! Also with the girls, many back and forth swings took place and in the end though, Surrey's Emily Tees took the first place trophy after a super match with Claire Lovan, also of Surrey. Very determined and disciplined golf was the order of the day – but still time to see the birds, flowers and squirrels too! Third place bronze medal went to newcomer Angel Lin of Surrey, just barely getting past her left-handed swinging sister Ashley Lin. Well done one and all. See you at Stanley Park April 2 @ 9 am.

Boys Age 6 & Under
1. Thomas REED (Maple Ridge)
2. Nathan SZPAKOWICZ (Vancouver)

Boys Age 7-8
1. Sher SIDHU (Surrey)
2. Zackary WILENSKY (Coquitlam)
3. Markus YIU (Vancouver)
4. Mackenzie BICKELL (Vancouver)

Age 9-10 Division
1. Ilirian ZALLI (Vancouver)
2. Tiffany KONG (Vancouver)
3. Dylan BERCAN (Vancouver)

Junior Girls Division
1. Emily TEES (Surrey)
2. Claire LOVAN (Surrey)
3. Angel LIN (Surrey)
4. Ashley LIN (Surrey)
5. Changelle WANG (Vancouver)

Event # 3a Optimist Junior Linkster Tour – sponsored by Marketplace IGA – March 28-29, 2011

Spring Match Play @ The Cove Links GC, Ladner, BC Par 57, 2900 Yards

The Cove Links, a gem of a golf course in friendly Ladner, BC was the venue for the Age 11 and up junior boys and girls. The layout is a test for any level of golfer and enjoyable by all! Our matches started with good weather as always in that part of the lower mainland, and featured a good balance of skills and ages in this first match play event for 2011. Play was over two days, 36 holes and even some exciting playoffs along the way on day one and day two. Playoff's are always exciting!

When all was said and done, Coquitlam's David LEE took the first place trophy, but not without some anxious moments for this champion golfer! It took all his wealth of experience and talent to prevail in some tough see-saw matches on the challenging Cove Links. A.J. EWART, also of Coquitlam took the silver match and they had fun all the way, with Vancouver's Philip MAK grabbing the bronze medal for third after his win in the consolation match. Philip and Nicolas Dimarco of Coquitlam were exchanging wins all day long, with Philip taking a playoff with a birdie!

Day one matches saw David Lee have to go extra time over Nick Krystal of Coquitlam to make the finals and was happy to have the opportunity! Spring time golf is great to get into the swing of good thinking – as true Optimists exhibit and our Optimist creed outlines.

1. David Lee (Coquitlam)
2. AJ Ewart (Coquitlam)
3. Philip MAK (Vancouver
4. Nicolas DiMarco (Port Moody)
5. Nick YAN (Coquitlam)
6. Noah GUISE (Coquitlam)
7. Charlie SHI (Vancouver)
8. Nick KRYSTAL (Coquitlam)
9. Ashley OMIDI (Surrey) Fun golf too by Voncan Omidi & Ethan Posthumas!