Surrey’s Minxing Matt Li and Zhongjun Daniel Qi win 2025 MJT Mini Tour Nationals in Tsawwassen, earning national titles and international opportunities.
Surrey’s Young Golfers Shine on National Stage
Two Surrey junior golfers captured national titles at the 2025 Maple Leaf Junior Golf (MJT) Mini Tour Nationals, showcasing skill and composure beyond their years. The event, held at Tsawwassen Springs Golf Club from Aug. 29-30, brought together 106 of Canada’s top 12U male and female golfers.
Record-Breaking Performances
Minxing Matt Li, 12, dominated his division with rounds of 67 and 71, finishing at 138 and securing the national title with nine birdies over two days. Zhongjun Daniel Qi, 10, mirrored that performance in the Boys 9-10 division, posting scores of 70 and 65 (135) and demonstrating remarkable poise under pressure.
Li reflected on his achievement, saying, “It feels awesome every time I made birdie, especially on day two, I felt so much closer to winning.” Qi, meanwhile, emphasized the joy of competition: “It feels very good to win this tournament.”
Prestigious Tournament Draws Top Talent
The MJT Mini Tour Nationals are considered Canada’s premier 12U golf event, offering six divisions and the chance to qualify for the Champion of Champions tournament in Ireland in 2026. The championship attracted the nation’s most promising young golfers, creating a competitive and inspiring atmosphere.
Other Standout Champions
In addition to Li and Qi, the tournament crowned several other national champions:
- Sedona Weitz, 12, from Foothills M.D., AB, won the Girls 11-12 division with a closing 66 (140).
- Luna Zhou, 10, of Vancouver, claimed the Girls 9-10 title with rounds of 70 and 76 (146).
- Blake Widmer, 8, from Edmonton, earned the Boys 8U championship with rounds of 68 and 67 (135).
- Yoyo Zhang, 8, from Richmond, won the Girls 8U crown with back-to-back 70s (140).
Pathway to International Competition
Li’s victory now qualifies him for the 2026 Champion of Champions 12U tournament in Ireland, an international stage for the world’s top junior golfers. The MJT continues to cultivate young talent, combining national competition with global opportunities.
Inspiring the Next Generation
The 2025 MJT Mini Tour Nationals highlighted sportsmanship, talent, and the rising level of junior golf in Canada. With champions like Li and Qi leading the way, Surrey’s junior golfers are proving they can compete — and win — on both national and international stages.
This article is original and written specifically for Surreyspeak.com
Leave a comment