Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 10-11, 2021
Guelph, ON

Burt’s 67 seals low overall, O’Connor wins playoff in MJT’s Guelph event

Guelph, ON – (July 12, 2021) – An elite field of junior golfers from across Ontario gathered in Guelph on July 10 and 11 to compete for titles in six divisions in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s MJT Ontario Series at Guelph Lakes Golf and Country Club. This was the first of July’s four events in the province for Canada’s number one played Junior Golf Tour and great scoring conditions were enjoyed by the field on day one, followed by rain on day two, testing opportunities to gain valuable points on the MJT Order of Merit presented by RBC.

A searing 67 in the rain from 18-year-old Zach Burt in the MJT Junior Boys Division sealed his division title and the low overall score in the tournament. The Guelph-native fired back-to-back under-par scores of 70 and 67 (137), making eight birdies over 36 holes to win by a convincing nine-shot margin. “I had really been struggling with my driver before the tournament,” commented Burt, who had no trouble hitting fairways at Guelph Lakes. “Throughout the tournament I was able to put the ball in the fairway and give myself shots to the greens and play some solid golf.” Hunter Kolm, 17, of Aurora, ON, shot 74 and 72 (146) to take home second place.

It took a playoff in the MJT Girls 15-19 Division to determine a winner after 15-year-old players Tara O’Connor (76-65=151), of Guelph, and Keira Hou (80-71=151), of Richmond Hill, ON, finished tied at the top of the leaderboard. The 2020 MJT Ontario Order of Merit Winner, O’Connor, emerged victorious, making birdie on the first playoff hole to pick up her first MJT win of the season. “I felt that I performed really well under the pressure,” she stated. “I feel accomplished, especially after making birdie in my first-ever playoff to win.”

The MJT Juvenile Boys Division saw London, ON, player Owen Henry earn his first career MJT Junior Tour win. The 16-year-old golfer, who began on the MJT in 2020, fired scores of 76 and 75 (151) winning in his first 2021 start. “I’m really proud of myself and grateful for the opportunity,” commented Henry who commented on all the people who have helped him earn his first victory. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the support from my family and all they do and my coach.” 16-year-old Guelph-resident Dylan Weber finished the tournament in second place with scores of 75 and 78 (153).

In the MJT Bantam Boys Division, 14-year-old Matthew Rastogi, of North York, ON, made seven birdies at Guelph Lakes Golf Club on his way to card excellent back-to-back rounds of one-under par 70 (140). “I’ve been working really hard on all aspects of my game,” commented Rastogi. “It feels really good to get the win and see that hard work pay off.” Rylan Hall, 14, of Stratford, ON, finished in second place (74-81=155).

The MJT Girls U15 Division saw the return of Angela Cai to the winner’s circle as she fired a pair of 77s (154) to win. The 13-year-old golfer from Oakville, ON, has won several times on the MJT Mini Tour over the last three years, but earned her first victory on the Junior Tour at Guelph Lakes. “I stayed calm on both days,” commented Cai, who has been practicing regularly leading up to the tournament. “The course was in great shape and I enjoyed the conditions.”

Andy Dai, 11, of Markham, ON, came back from a deficit after the first round to win the title in the MJT Peewee Boys Division. Dai, who shot 75 and 74 (149), played his final four holes at one-under par to complete the comeback and win the division by three shots. “The key to my victory was making all my putts inside of four feet,” said Dai, who cleaned up all his short-range putts. “I hit my irons well and kept the ball in the fairway off the tee.” Lucas Gilbert, 12, of Toronto, ON, finished the division tied for second place with rounds of 75 and 77 (152). Brayden Card, 12, of Cambridge, ON, recorded scores of 74 and 78 (152) to also finish tied for second place.

The MJT Booster Juice BounceBack award winners for the most improved score from round one to round two were Owen Croft, Jack Groves, Colton Palmer, Edwin Bai, Astoria Yen and Nobelle Park. Full results can be viewed on the website.

The next MJT stop in Ontario is at Trillium Wood Golf Club in Corbyville on July 17 and  18. Registration is open and details can be found online at www.maplejt.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