Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

September 4-5, 2021
Sylvan Lake, AB

Barr and Tong take low overall titles in MJT’s SAIT Trojans Athletics event in Sylvan Lake; field of 115 participated on Labour Day weekend

Sylvan Lake, AB – (September 6, 2021) – An impressive field of 115 young golfers participated on Canada’s number-one played junior golf tour in Sylvan Lake, AB, over the Labour Day weekend. The one-day MJT Mini Tour for 12U players ran September 4, while the two-day MJT Alberta Series presented by SAIT Trojans Athletics at Meadowlands Golf Club at Sylvan Lake ran September 4 and 5. In the two-day event, 83 players were competing in six divisions in the second last Junior Tour stop in the province this season.

"The SAIT Trojans Athletics Department would like to thank all competitors who registered for our sponsored event, the MJT Alberta Series at Meadowlands Golf Club,” said Head Golf Coach, Stephen Yanitski. “The SAIT Trojans Golf Team coaches and players were delighted to see some great golf and meet all of the talented Junior players and their families in Sylvan Lake over the weekend and look forward to seeing the accomplishments and successes from everyone in the coming months and years.”

The consistency of 16-year-old Georgia Barr won her both low overall girls score and the MJT Girls 15-19 Division title at Meadowlands Golf Club. The Calgary, AB, player fired a pair of 73s (146) to win by five shots after sitting tied for the lead after the first day of play. “I felt confident in my game and my abilities,” commented Barr. “I was hitting greens and fairways and sank a few putts.” Tied for runner-up were 15-year-old Calgary, AB, golfers Sydney Bisgrove (75-76 = 151), and Tessa Ion (73-78 = 151).

Heritage Pointe, AB, golfer, Josiah Tong, held on for the win in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division and the low overall boys score for the tournament. The 15-year-old recorded rounds of 71 and 75 (146) for a two-shot victory. “It was a grind for 18 holes, and the course played challenging, but I feel really happy to get the win,” commented Tong. Coming fresh off a win at the last MJT event, 15-year-old Brett Jones, of Calgary, AB, finished runner-up with scores of 72 and 76 (148).

In the MJT Junior Boys Division, 17-year-old Colin Pasitney, of St. Paul, AB, finished on top with a three-shot winning margin. Pasitney fired rounds of 73 and 75 (148) for his first MJT win of the season. “I felt a little bit of pressure as it was my last tournament of the year,” commented Pasitney. “After getting the win, I felt relieved and proud of my achievement.” Christian Hansen (74-77 = 151), 17, of Okotoks, AB, and Reid Casavant (76-75 = 151), 17, of Westlock, AB, finished tied for second place.

The MJT Girls U15 Division needed extra holes to determine a winner after a tie for the lead with a total score of 170 between Serin Girard and Saylar May after 36 holes of play. Emerging victorious from the playoff was 11-year-old Girard, of Red Deer, AB (85-85), who stated, “I felt excited coming into this MJT event and winning feels really good. Sinking the 10-footer in the playoff- when I needed to make one was awesome!” Rocky Mountain House, AB, golfer May, 12, (84-86) had to settle for runner-up.

The MJT Bantam Boys Division saw 13-year-old Tyler Kidd complete the comeback to win the division by one shot. The Buck Lake, AB, golfer fired scores of 79 and 73 (152), grabbing hold of the lead mid-way through the second round and holding on. “I was driving the ball better on the second day which helped lower my score,” commented Kidd. “My swing wasn’t feeling the best going in, but I’m happy I put together a decent round and fought for the win.” Calgary, AB, player Tobias Buffam, 14, finished with scores of 76 and 77 (153) for the runner-up position.

Calgarians dominate the podium at Meadowlands Golf Club in the MJT Peewee Boys Division. Cameron Lailey, 12, finished on top with scores of 75 and 78 (153) for a two-shot victory. “My short game was responsible for the win,” commented Lailey. “I’ve worked hard all season and it’s nice to get the win.” Tied for second were Jayden Arnold (82-73 = 155), aged 11, and Ryan Johnson (78-77 = 155), aged 12.

The MJT Booster Juice BounceBack awards for most improved score in round two over round one went to Olivia Johnson, Jayden Arnold, Rhys Hunt, Luke Schaal and Spence Matson.

The final Alberta event this season, the MJT Ford Series at RedTail Landing Golf Club in Nisku, takes place September 11 and 12. More details can be found online at www.maplejt.com.

About SAIT Trojans Athletics: The SAIT Trojans are one of the original founders of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC), which was formed in the 1964-65. Since then, the Trojans have captured countless medals in a variety of sports, including 16 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national championships, 128 ACAC team championships and 67 ACAC individual championships. As of 2018-19, the Trojans have nearly 200 student athletes who compete in eight ACAC sports. More information can be found by going to saittrojans.com. More information can be found by going to saittrojans.com.

About the MJT: The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour 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 supported by valued Premier, Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts close to 90 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:  Sadiq Jiwa, MJT Marketing and Communications Manager, sjiwa@maplejt.com