The Thanksgiving spirit was in full swing for Optimist Junior Linkster golfers as they gathered
at the sporty Mylora GC in Richmond, B.C., for the final round matches to determine Fall Match Play
winners. Great weather allowed all competitors to show their skill and imagination as they learn the
way the original game of golf was played – and why it is so popular – to this day!


Junior Girls age 10 and Under led the way with world-ranked Tiffany KONG of Vancouver,
taking the title over the game and fast-improving Claire LOVAN of Surrey. The popular Amy Ehlert
of Maple Ridge took third spot in an 18-hole match with Carolyn Mah of Richmond.

Boys Age 6 & Under title was claimed by Vancouver's Markus YIU in a spirited contest with
Jeevan SIHOTA of Victoria. Third place medal goes to the always confident Rogan CAMPBELL of Richmond.

Boys Age 7- 8 matches were keenly anticipated to produce exciting golf with Ilirian ZALLI of Vancouver and Zach RYUJIN of North Vancouver scheduled to square off, but a disappointed
Ilirian was under doctor's orders not to play golf that day, so Zach claims the winning trophy. The always positive Ilirian was there though, to cheer on his brother Christian. Dylan BERCAN of
Vancouver took the bronze medal over Raymond LI of Vancouver, always a contender.

Boys 9 – 10 Trophy winner was the classy Perry Xin of Vancouver, who had his hands full with Coquitlam's A.J. EWART who settled for the silver medal – this time. Third spot was claimed by hard charging Christian ZALLI of Vancouver over Richmond's Justin YAP.
Boys 11 – 12 division winner hails from Deroche, B.C., the farming community near Mission.
Likeable and talented Noah DRIESSEN took on the top twelve year old's on Tour and won all matches
with his steady and determined play. The final day matches saw Little Master's runner-up Trevor YU of Vancouver bow out to Noah and take third, with the pre-tournament favorite Sy LOVAN of Surrey also having to settle for second place silver this year. Noah's experience won the day and the trophy!

Junior Girls Age 11-15 division saw another example of experienced young golfers exhibiting
their always improving skills, with Coquitlam's Shania REMANDABAN winning Gold over another hard driving competitor, Yvonne ZHENG of Vancouver. Third spot went to Rebekah KRAMER.
Boys 13 – 15 division winner was Vancouver's James HUNTER, who won his final match over his heavily favoured clubmate Curtis CHAN of Richmond. James, like Noah Driessen, beat the best the Optimist Junior Linkster Tour has to offer, including Aaron Ferrer and David LEE of Coquitlam, who settles for the bronze medal. The great game of “match play” was the real winner as
our young golfers are experiencing what the true spirit of the game really is – a gentleman's game!

Boys Age 6 & Under “Pee Wees” Boys Age 7 – 8 “Pee Wees”
1. Markus YIU (Vancouver) 1. Zach RYUJIN (N.Vancouver)
2. Jeevan SIHOTA (Victoria) 2. Ilirian ZALLI (Vancouver)
3. Rogan CAMPBELL (Richmond) 3. Dylan BERCAN (Vancouver)
4. Darren ZHANG (Richmond) 4. Raymond LI (Vancouver)

Girls Age 10 & Under “Divots” Boys 9 – 10 “Divots”
1. Tiffany KONG (Vancouver) 1. Perry XIN (Vancouver)
2. Claire LOVAN (Surrey) 2. A.J. EWART (Coquitlam)
3. Amy EHLERT (Maple Ridge) 3. Christian ZALLI (Vancouver)
4. Carolyn MAH (Vancouver) 4. Yustin YAP (Richmond)
5. Eric WU (Surrey)

Girls Age 11 – 15 1. Shania REMANDABAN(Coquitlam)
2. Yvonne ZHENG (Vancouver)

Boys Age 11 – 12 “Bear Cubs Boys Age 13 – 15 “Tiger Cubs”
1. Noah DRIESSEN (Deroche) 1. James HUNTER (Vancouver)
2. Sy LOVAN (Surrey) 2. Curtis CHAN (Richmond)
3. Trevor YU (Vancouver) 3. David LEE (Coquitlam)
4. Cole BRIGGS (Langley) 4. Eric YAN (Coquitlam)
5. Diego San PEDRO (Richmond) 5. Nick YAN (Coquitlam)
6. Kevin LIN (Vancouver) 6. Michael LI (Vancouver)
7. Patrick TAN (Vancouver) 7. Aaron FERRER (Delta)
8. Wesley DRIESSEN (Deroche) 8. Riley TY (Vancouver)
9. Nicolas DiMARCO (Port Moody)
10. Michael LIN (Vancouver)


2009 Optimist JUNIOR LINKSTER TOUR – Youth Appreciation YEAR END AWARDS
The Thanksgiving season marks the formal end of the Optimist Juniior Linkster Tour for British
Columbia, Canada in 2009. Over fifty events were held in the Greater Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley
and Okanagan, with experiences gained and friends made a fulfilling reward for one and all. The
game of golf is the true winner, with its spirit never better exemplified by the captivating play of junior
linkster golfers. At home, all around our cities, across the province, country wide and internationally,
Optimist Junior Linkster golfers put their best foot foward and carried our banner high! Our
golfers distinguished themselves with participation and victory at the highest levels of junior golf!

INTERNATIONAL GOLFER OF THE YEAR: Curtis CHAN of Richmond, B.C. (Age 12)

INTERNATIONAL GOLFER OF THE YEAR: Tiffany KONG of Vancouver, B.C. (Age 8)

PLAYER OF THE YEAR BOYS 2009 GIRLS (10 & U)
Age 6 & Under Markus YIU (Van) Tiffany KONG (Van)
Age 7 – 8 “Pee Wees” Ilirian ZALLI (Van)
Age 9 – 10 “Divots” Samuel SU (Rmd)
Age 11 -12 “Bear Cubs” Sy LOVAN (Sry) GIRLS (11-15)

Age 13 – 15 “Tiger Cubs” Chris CRISOLOGO (Rmd) Nayan CALSIN MURDOCH(Rmd

MOST IMPROVED BOYS 2009 GIRLS (10 & U)
Age 6 & Under Ricky WEN (Rmd) Claire LOVAN (Sry)
Age 7 – 8 Ethan CHOI (Coq)
Age 9 – 10 Diego San PEDRO (Rmd)
Age 11 – 12 Cole BRIGGS (Lgly) GIRLS (11 – 15)
Age 13 – 15 James HUNTER (Van) Yvonne ZHENG (Van)

MOST SPORTSMANLIKE BOYS 2009 GIRLS (10 & U)
Age 6 & Under Jeevan SIHOTA (Vic) Shirin ANJARWALLA(Nan
Age 7 – 8 Dylan BERCAN(Van) & Justin YAP(Rmd) and Amy EHLERT (MRg
Age 9 – 10 Andrew BALZER (Nvan) & AJ EWART(Coq)
Age 11 – 12 Henry LEE (Coq) & Donald QIU (Rmd) Lana GILL (Van) and
Age 13 – 15 Aaron FERRER(D) & Kevin LIN (Van) and Chloe WONG (Van)