Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

August 21-22, 2021
Carlisle, ON

Spectacular scoring and playoff at MJT’s Carlisle stop

Carlisle, ON – (August 23, 2021) – The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour circuit held the successful two-day MJT Ontario Series at Carlisle Golf & Country Club in Carlise, ON, August 21 and 22, where incredible scoring highlighted play in all six divisions.

Toronto, ON, golfer Ryan Zhao, lit up the MJT Juvenile Boys Division leaderboard after opening with a round of 66 and closing with a round of 72 (138) to win the division title and Low Overall. Zhao, who made his return to the MJT after three appearances last year, made a statement with his scoring in his first 2021 MJT tournament. “My putting was great on the first day which is why I made so many birdies,” commented Zhao. “On the second day, my irons were good and I stayed patient with my opportunities.” Runner-up was Guelph, ON, golfer Dylan Weber, 16, who carded 71 and 75 (146).

After firing the low round of the tournament on the first day, 17-year-old Andrew Rouble, of Wellesley, ON, held on to win the MJT Junior Boys title by one shot. Rouble shot 65 and 76 (141), holding on even after a tough finishing hole to pull off the victory. “After shooting a first round of 65, I definitely put pressure on myself for the second day,” commented Rouble. “I felt pretty confident going into the first day and knew I could go low which is exactly what I did.” Aurora, ON, golfer Hunter Kolm, 17, carded solid scores of 69 and 73 (142) to come back for a second-place finish.

Renee Crooks, 17, of Scarborough, ON, won the MJT Girls 15-19 Division and the Low Overall girls score after shooting excellent rounds of 70 and 72 (142). Crooks’ performance at Carlisle was good enough for a two-shot victory and her first ever MJT Junior Tour title. “It feels amazing winning a tournament for the first time,” commented Crooks. “It was nice meeting new people and I had a great time playing.” Sister Carly Crooks, 17, made it a family affair and recorded scores of 71 and 73 (144) to take home second place.

Extra holes were needed to determine a winner in the MJT Girls U15 Division after two players finished tied at the top of the leaderboard with a total score of 148 after 36 holes of competition. Oakville, ON, player Angela Cai, 13, shot 75 and 73, while Scarborough, ON, player Juanita Beatrix Tandoc, 12, shot 74 and 74.  After Cai forced the playoff, she emerged victorious to pick up her fourth MJT win of the season. “I felt nervous going into the tournament and nervous again going into the playoff,” commented Cai. “My irons were really good both days and it feels amazing to get the win.”

A rock-solid pair of 72s (144) for 14-year-old Xavier Bernier was good enough for a five-shot victory in the MJT Bantam Boys Division. The Kitchener, ON, golfer, held a two-shot lead after the first day and stayed steady, only adding to his lead throughout the tournament. “My short game was responsible for getting me the win,” commented Bernier. “I made some key up-and-downs which made a difference at the end.” Oakville, ON, resident Carl-Hanns Arndt, 14, carded 76 and 73 (149), coming back to finish runner-up.

Stirling rounds of 69 and 71 (140) from 12-year-old Lucas Gilbart in the MJT Peewee Boys Division led to a five-shot victory. The Toronto, ON, golfer, began making the transition onto the Junior Tour from the Mini Tour this year and capped off an excellent transition with his first Junior Tour win of his young career. “It was mainly my long game that was responsible for my win,” commented Gilbart, who took advantage from tee-to-green. “My ball striking off the tee and approach shots onto the green were good.” Andy Dai, 11, of Markham, ON, finished with scores of 72 and 73 (145) for second place.

The MJT Booster Juice Bounceback Awards for best improvement in score in round two from round one went to Sophie Weber, of Burlington, ON, Kaitlyn Ellis, of Oakville, ON, Tristan Zhang, of Toronto, ON, Jameson Staab, of Kitchener, ON, and Curtis Li, of Mississauga, ON.

The MJT Ontario Junior Tour next heads to Brooklin for the MJT Junior Golf Hub Classic at Lakeridge Links Golf Club on August 28 and 29. For more information, please visit 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