Lichimo Holds Off Svensson at CJGA Junior Worlds Qualifier

South Surrey, BC (March 24, 2008) – Making his first start of the year, North Vancouver’s Bryan Lichimo posted a tournament low 148 total (+4) in collecting the Boys 14 – 16 Division title at the Canadian Junior Golf Association’s (CJGA) Junior Worlds Qualifier at Hazelmere Golf Club over the weekend.  The victory matches Lichimo’s win total from 2007.

Lichimo posted identical rounds of 74 at Hazelmere, outlasting last week’s winner at Northview, Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., by three shots.  “Considering the weather, it was a good tournament,” acknowledged Lichimo, who, along with the rest of the field, battled cold temperatures on Saturday and a steady rain on Sunday.  “I’ve been working hard on my game and it’s paying off.”  Vancouver’s Nicholas Russell grabbed third spot in the division at 154 (+10).

Despite faltering slightly on Sunday, Surrey’s Kevin Lee, 13, held on for his first win of the year in the Boys 13 & Under Division.  Lee posted rounds of 73 and 81 for a 154 total (+10) and a five-stroke victory over the winner at Northview, Kevin Kwon of Coquitlam, B.C.  “I played well on Saturday but I struggled from the tee today,” said Lee.  “I played a lot of practice rounds so I knew the course well.”

In other divisional races, Jennifer Yang, 14, of Coquitlam, B.C. held off Soobin Kim of Port Coquitlam by a single stroke in the Girls Division after posting rounds of 76 and 0 for a 156 total (+12) while Michael Tomalty, 18, of Calgary, Alta. captured the Boys 17 – 19 Division, also by a single stroke, with a two day total of 161 (+17).

Notes

• Bryan Lichimo won the CJGA Top Shelf Feeds Optimist International Qualifier in 2007 at Swan-e-set Bay Resort for his lone win
• With the exception of the Boys 17 – 19 Division, all runners up at Hazelmere were winners last week at Northview
• Kevin Lee won three of the four CJGA tournaments he entered in 2007 in the Boys 13 & Under Division
• The par-4 13th at Hazelmere played as the most difficult hole with an average score of 5.47
• The par-5 14th played as the easiest hole with an average score of 5.52
• Division winners will receive 1000 Merit Points.
• A second CJGA Junior Worlds Qualifier has been added to the provincial schedule in British Columbia.  Swan-e-set Bay Resort in Pitt Meadows will host the event on May 24th and 25th.

LEXUS Skills Competitions Winners

Closest to the Pin

Girls – Megan Osland
Boys 13 & Under – Jae Hoon Kim
Boys 14-16 – Darren Whitehouse
Boys 17-19 – Ryan Harvey

Girls – Christine Wong
Boys 13 & Under – Kevin Lee
Boys 14-16 – Pureum Lee
Boys 17-19 – Conrado Paderes

The CJGA will continue its British Columbia schedule on April 5th and 6th at University G.C. in Vancouver with the CJGA Euro Junior Golf Cup Qualifier.

About the CJGA
Registered federally as a not-for-profit association, the Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) is dedicated to providing Canada's junior golfers with the necessary skills and knowledge required to lay a foundation for a future in competitive golf. Through its six-stage competitive development program that focuses on tournaments, clinics, international competitions, and mentoring programs with PGA Tour professionals, the CJGA introduces the game to juniors as young as five and offers competitive multi-day events for the more advanced golfer.  The CJGA acts as a feeder system to provincial and national competitions, collegiate and university golf, as well as professional and recreational golf. For more information please visit www.cjga.com.

The Canadian Junior Golf Association is generously supported by its National Founding Partners, HSBC Bank Canada and LEXUS.

For Additional Information:
Rick Betts
Director, Media Relations and Communications
Canadian Junior Golf Association
1.877.508.1069 Ext. 233
rick.betts@cjga.com