Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour
The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
April 27-28, 2024
Lethbridge, AB
Playoffs and hole-in-one in howling wind highlight MJT Global Sport Academy Spring Classic at Paradise Canyon
Canada’s number one-played junior tour hit the ground running in the Alberta season opener with 116 players teeing it up in the MJT Global Sport Academy Spring Classic at Paradise Canyon Golf Resort in Lethbridge, AB, on April 27-28. Highlights of the two-day tournament included playoffs in both MJT Girls U15 and MJT Juvenile Boys, a hole-in-one on the 17th hole on the first day by Ian Davis, 14, of Saskatoon, SK, and some hot scores despite howling winds.
The high winds of at least 50kph proved challenging and the scores showed how difficult Paradise Canyon can be when it blows. MJT veteran Tobias Buffam, 17, of Calgary, AB, managed an incredible 68-71=139 (-3) to fire the Low Overall Boys score, earning an exemption into the PGA Tour America’s-affiliated MJT Future Stars presented by ATB at Northern Bear Golf Club in Edmonton this June. On the girl’s side, 17-year-old Sydney Bisgrove of Calgary followed up her opening round 72 with a 75 to win the Low Overall Girls score and MJT Girls 15-19 title. Both Buffam and Bisgrove received invitations into the FCG Callaway World Championship in California this July.
Quotes from each of the six division winners along with top finisher scores and other major qualifier results are noted below. For results from the London Drugs Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Award and Academy Points program, please click here. Players received program information from tournament sponsor, Global Sport Academy and Forge Golf, who were on site throughout the weekend. More information on this program can be found on the Global Sport Academy website.
The next MJT Junior Tour event in Alberta is the MJT Edge School Spring Classic at River Bend Golf Club in Red Deer on May 11-12. For more information or to see the full 2024 MJT schedule of upcoming events, please visit the MJT website.
Top Finishers
MJT Girls U15: Par 71, Ydg 5528 Slope 130 / Rating 73.1
1 Raylee Denton, Red Deer, AB, F, 14 83, 84 (167) Won Playoff
2 Hannah Thomas, Calgary, AB, F, 13 84, 83 (167)
3 Justine Leon, Calgary, AB, F, 14 87, 81 (168)
Raylee Denton, 14, of Red Deer, AB, needed three extra holes to defeat Hannah Thomas, 13, of Calgary, AB, to claim the MJT Girls U15 Division title. “It feels really good to win today to start off the season,” said Denton. “I kept a positive mindset throughout the harsh conditions this weekend and carried it on through the playoff.”
MJT Girls 15-19: Par 71, Ydg 5528 Slope 130 / Rating 73.1
1 Sydney Bisgrove, Calgary, AB, F, 17 72,75 (147)
2 Saylar May, Rocky Mountain House , AB, F, 15 76, 75 (151)
2 Kali Yeske, Calgary, AB, F, 15, 75, 76 (151)
Sydney Bisgrove, 17, of Calgary, AB, made the most of her final event on the MJT by winning Low Overall and the MJT Girls 15-19 Division title. “I am really happy with how I battled in this wind,” said Bisgrove. “I am also very happy with my mental game through the conditions.”
MJT Peewee Boys: Par 71, Ydg 5275 Slope 120 / Rating 68.5
1 Erik Petersen, Okotoks, AB, M, 12 84, 82 (166)
2 Cooper Roberge, Lloydminster, AB, M, 12 94, 92 (186)
3 Harrison Wells, Edmonton, AB, M, 11 98, 98 (196)
MJT Bantam Boys: Par 71, Ydg 5778 Slope 126 / Rating 69.0
1 Jayden Arnold, Calgary, AB, M, 13 75, 74 (149)
2 Luca Marengo, Calgary, AB, M, 14 75, 79 (154)
3 Austin Nesbitt, Pilot Butte, SK, M, 12 80, 76 (156)
MJT veteran, Jayden Arnold, 13, of Calgary, AB, played steady golf while earning the victory in the MJT Bantam Boys Division. When asked of his win, Arnold said, “It always feels great to win the first Alberta event of the year, especially in conditions like this weekend’s.”
MJT Juvenile Boys: Par 71, Ydg 6400 Slope 133 / Rating 71.2
1 Brae Rogalczyk, Innisfail, AB, M, 16 74, 80 (154) Playoff Winner
2 Lyndon Kuryvial, Taber, AB, M, 16 77, 77 (154)
3 Harrison Kiziak, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, M, 15 73, 82 (155)
Brae Rogalczyk, 16, of Innisfail, AB, battled hard with Lyndon Kuryvial, 16, of Taber, AB, who went to extra holes before he sealed the victory en-route to winning the MJT Boys Juvenile title. “It feels very good to get back inside the winner’s circle after a lot of hard work, and some ups and downs,” said Rogalczyk.
MJT Junior Boys: Par 71, Ydg 6400 Slope 133 / Rating 71.2
1 Tobias Buffam, Calgary, AB, M, 17 68, 71 (139)
2 Kenny Taylor, Edmonton, AB, M, 17 72, 73 (145)
3 Ryan Garbutt, Edmonton, AB, M, 17 75, 72 (147)
3 Owen Bruins, Medicine Hat, AB, M, 16 71, 76 (147)
Tobias Buffam, 17, of Calgary, AB, played flawless golf in very difficult conditions and finished the weekend as the only player to score under par, claiming the MJT Junior Division title and Low Overall honours. “It felt great to start the season off with a win,” said Buffam. “I worked hard over the off-season, and it feels good to know that it paid off.”
This event was also a qualifier for various major tournaments:
MJT Future Stars Invitational presented by ATB:
Tobias Buffam (Calgary, AB)
MJT East Coast Junior Championship (Moncton, NB):
FCG Callaway World Championship:
World Stars Junior Golf Championship:
About Global Sport Academy and Forge Golf: Both Global Sport Academy and Forge Golf are advocates, coaches, and mentors. We help student-athletes and players find their x-factor, forge their next level of play, and take their sport to new heights. Our programs are designed for student-athletes to pursue their passion for sport in an empowering program that is supported by academic and athletic leadership. Please visit their website for more information.
About the MJT: The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is Canada’s number one Junior Golf Tour as well as the only national junior tour run exclusively by PGA of Canada Professionals and the ‘Road to College Golf’ in Canada. The organization is supported by valued Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Partners. The MJT hosts over 100 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 12U, and multi-day events for competitive players aged 11-19 which also offer qualifiers for international tournaments. The program has annual awards, scholarships and incentives to help reward performance and participation throughout each season. MJT alumni include many Professional Tour players and PGA of Canada Professionals, as well as Canadian Amateur, National and Provincial Junior Champions. The MJT aims to develop champions, in golf and in life, promoting the game from grassroots through to the provincial, national, university and professional levels.
Media Contact: Jessica Parker
Marketing and Communications Manager, MJT