Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 17-18, 2019
Aurora, ON

MJT-PGA of Ontario Junior Champions crowned at rain-shortened St. Andrew’s Valley stop

Aurora, ON – (August 19, 2019) – The Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour held the MJT-PGA of Ontario Junior Championship at St. Andrew’s Valley Golf Club in Aurora, ON, on August 17 and 18, where a talented field of junior golfers competed for titles in seven divisions as well as exemptions into the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship presented by TaylorMade and adidas golf at Reunion Resort in Florida this November. This tournament, which also held several golf rankings including the Golf Canada Junior Order of Merit, AJGA Performance-Based Stars, and major MJT Order of Merit points, was shortened to 27 holes due to weather.

Storming back with four birdies and a two-under par nine holes on day two was Amaranth, ON’s Madison Ouellette, who was crowned MJT-PGA of Ontario Junior Girls 15-18 Champion. The 17-year-old player secured her first career win at St. Andrew’s Valley shooting scores of 83 and 34 (117). “It feels like the hard work paid off,” she said after capturing the title. “I have been playing in MJT events for the past two years and in every event I’ve participated I’ve made new friends and connected with wonderful people.” Runner-up, playing in her first MJT junior tour event, was Richmond Hill, ON-resident, Adele Chun, 16, with scores of 82 and 36 (118).

The MJT Juvenile Boys division was able to complete all 36 holes of the tournament play prior to the weather delay. Recent MJT champion, Kiefer Bulau, emerged victorious once again. The 16-year-old golfer out of King City, ON, took home the Hoselton trophy with scores of 71 and 73 (144), which included six birdies through both rounds. “It felt great to win,” said Bulau. “The competition was awesome, and I couldn’t be happier.” Finishing tied for second place were Bradford, ON’s Andrew Gwilliams (79, 73 = 152), 16, and Toronto, ON’s Nicholas Lin (76, 76 = 152), 16.

An exciting battle took place in the MJT Bantam Boys division between two 14-year-olds, Kevin Lee, of Markham, ON, and Matthew Lyons, of Aurora. With Lyons (76, 41 = 117) holding a two-shot lead after the first round, Lee came back shooting even par on the second day to win the MJT-PGA of Ontario Bantam Boys trophy by three shots (78, 36 = 114). Lee got off to a hot start in the second round making birdies on his first two holes; in total, Lee made six birdies for the tournament.

Earning his second consecutive MJT win of the year was 18-year-old, Eric Tae Kyoung Yun. The Richmond Hill player fired a 36 hole score of 152 (77, 75) to capture the MJT-PGA of Ontario Junior Boys Champion’s title by a single shot over Milton, ON-player, Issac Brown, 17. Yun managed to hold on to his lead throughout the round despite an even par back nine on the second day from Brown (79, 74 = 153). “It feels good to win,” said Yun after the tournament. “It’s always good to get a win.” With two wins on the season, Yun will look to add to his trophy collection with the MJT events at Grey Silo GC and Tangle Creek GC.

Karolyn Zeng, 13, of Maple, ON shot scores of 80 and 41 (121) to win the MJT-PGA of Ontario Girls U15 trophy by six shots. Zeng took home her second MJT win of the year at St. Andrew’s Valley. “I didn’t expect to win another title this season so it’s both surprising and exciting to get the win,” she commented. “Although I had a rough start on the first few holes on the first day, I managed to stay patient and maintain a stable performance for the rest of the round.” Kathy Yao, 14, of Oakville, ON, finished in second place with rounds of 86 and 41 (127). 

In the MJT Peewee Boys division, Toronto’s Lucas Gilbart, 10, and Richmond Hill’s Evan Wee, 12, battled to the very end of the weather-shortened MJT tournament. After Gilbart (89, 45 - 134) took an opening round lead of four shots, even a valiant nine-hole effort by Wee (93, 43 = 136) on day two left him just two shots shy of the win. Gilbart made three birdies in the 27 holes and played the par threes impressively, going even par on the first day and one over on the second. “I made a 60-foot birdie putt on one of the par threes,” he commented. “I didn’t feel like I played my best, but I’m happy I pulled out the win.”

Matthew Medhurst had a 10-shot improvement between his two rounds in the MJT Collegiate division. The 19-year-old from North York, ON, carded scores of 84 and 74 (158) which included three birdies in his final nine holes on the second day. Familiar with the golf course, Medhurst commented, “Playing an old home course brought back a lot of big memories. I feel good, like my game is in a better place.”

For PLYR Long Drive, PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin and the MJT Booster Juice Comeback Award winners, please visit the highlights page for the tournament here. Exemptions into the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship will be announced shortly.

The next junior tour event in Ontario is the MJT Ford Series at Grey Silo Golf Club in Waterloo on August 24 and 25 for. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.

About the MJT: The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour presented by Boston Pizza is Canada’s number one-played 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 presented nationally by Boston Pizza and supported by valued Premier, Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts close to 80 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7-12 year olds, the Collegiate Tour for 19-23 year olds, and multi-day events for competitive players aged 11 to 18 which are also qualifiers for international competitions. The program offers annual awards, scholarships, and frequent player incentives to help reward player's 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 provincial, national, university and professional level. See www.maplejt.com.