Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 12-14, 2021
Calgary, AB

Gillespie goes 10-under, six Champions crowned in MJT Ford Series-PGA of Alberta Junior Championship

Calgary, AB – (July 15, 2021) – Canada’s number-one played junior golf tour hosted another three-day MJT World Amateur Golf Ranking Major event on July 12, 13 and 14 in Calgary, Alberta, where 100 junior golfers competed over 54 holes in the MJT Ford Series-PGA of Alberta Jr. Championship at McKenzie Meadows Golf Club.  This MJT Ford series event also featured a hole-in-one contest on the final day of the tournament and was preceded by a Woodridge Ford Free Go Golf Junior Clinic on Sunday, July 11, at Blue Devil Golf Club, which gave kids in the community free instruction from PGA of Alberta Professionals.

“It was a great event,” commented Trent Matson, MJT National Director of Operations. “McKenzie Meadows is a perfect facility for a major championship with pristine conditions that were tough, but fair. The MJT always feels welcomed here and the players have an amazing time.”

A highlight of the tournament was in the MJT Bantam Boys Division where 14-year-old Charlie Gillespie of Calgary, AB, fired sizzling scores of 68, 68, and 70 (206), making an eagle and twelve birdies over 54 holes to finish at 10-under par for the tournament. “I had a great game plan going into the tournament,” said Gillespie. “I am very satisfied for getting the win after putting in so much work and dedication into my game and preparing for the tournament.” Gillespie made his first 2021 appearance on the MJT in this competition. Heritage Pointe, AB, golfer Christian Flick, 14, fired rounds of 71, 66, and 73 (210) for runner-up in the division.

The MJT Junior Boys Division witnessed a stupendous comeback from 17-year-old Cole Bergheim, of Red Deer, AB. Bergheim, who recorded scores of 70 and 72 on the first and second day respectively, made three birdies and two eagles in his final round to shot a 67 (209) and surge from behind to scoop the division title. “It feels great to put together three solid days of golf,” commented Bergheim, who stuck to his game plan all three days. “It feels even better to have that strong finish on the last day.” Bergheim, with his performance in this major championship, also shoots up to tie for the top spot on the MJT Alberta Order of Merit presented by RBC. Finishing runner-up in the division was Logan Graf, 17, of Sylvan Lake, AB, with fine scores of 69, 69, and 74 (212).

Red Deer, AB, superstar Eileen Park continues to shine this year on the MJT, earning her fourth consecutive victory in the Girls U15 Division. Park, who came off a runner-up finish at the Alberta U19 Junior Girls Championship just last week, ascended to the top of the MJT podium again with rounds of 74, 70, and 71 (215). “I feel great to win in this tournament because it was my first-time finishing under-par,” remarked Park, who was the only female golfer in the field to finish with a total score under par. “That was my goal to shoot under par and I did it.” Calgary-native Kali Yeske, 12, finished second, coming from behind with scores of 82, 75, and 75 (232).

Only three shots separated the top three competitors in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division where there was a great battle right to the very end. Emerging victorious was 16-year-old Jaiden Koonar, of Calgary, who made five birdies in his final round to win by one shot. Koonar, whose last win on the MJT was in 2019, returned to the winner’s circle with scores of 71, 75, and 71 (217). “The key to my victory was staying mentally strong,” commented Koonar. “It’s been a long time since I won on the MJT and it feels amazing to win on the MJT again.” Calgary-player Connor Cziriak, 15, had to settle for second place with scores of 70, 76, and 72 (218) while 16-year-old Ethan Howes, of Fort Saskatchewan, AB, who won a new Ford car at a 2019 MJT Ford Series event, rounded out the podium in third place with scores of 72, 74, and 73 (219).

The MJT Peewee Boys Division title went to 10-year-old Jayden Arnold, of Calgary. Arnold, who won the MJT Mini Tour at McKenzie Meadows two years ago, has successfully made his mark on the Junior Tour now with his first MJT major championship win (74, 77, 75=226). “McKenzie Meadows is a great golf course,” commented Arnold, after seeing much success at this golf course over the last couple of years. “I had a really good game plan after my practice round and stuck with that and I’m so happy to get a major win.” Arnold, who overcame some adversity in the second round of the competition after his clubs and equipment ended up in the pond on the 18th hole, still managed to make par on the hole on his way to victory. Heritage Pointe, AB, golfer Solomon Tong, 11, finished runner-up with scores of 84, 73, and 81 (238).

The MJT Girls 15-19 Division saw the rise of 18-year-old Emily Cornwall to the top of the podium Canada’s number-one played junior golf tour. The Calgary-native fired rounds of 75, 74, and 79 (228) to earn her first 2021 MJT victory and first MJT win since 2019. “I’m very grateful to everyone who has helped me with my game,” remarked Cornwall. “I didn’t let my bad shots get me down and it feels amazing to stay in it and get the win.” Fifteen-year-old Sydney Bisgrove, of Calgary, finished runner-up with scores of 78, 79, and 80 (237). Her second-place finish at an MJT major adds to her lead on the MJT Alberta Order of Merit presented by RBC.

Full results can be viewed here. The MJT Alberta Junior Tour circuit next heads to Banff for the MJT Humber College PGM Classic at Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Club on July 21 and 22. More details can be found online at www.maplejt.com.

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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.