Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 13-14, 2023
Red Deer County, AB

Canada’s number one-played Junior Tour hosts 122 in Edge School Spring Classic; Fisher one step closer to Junior America’s Cup

Another full house teed it up on Canada’s number one-played Junior Tour, the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, when 122 golfers participated in the MJT Edge School Spring Classic at River Bend Golf Club in Red Deer, Alberta, over the May 13 and 14 weekend.  Players were competing for titles in six divisions plus the opportunity to qualify for three major events: the PGA Tour Canada-affiliated MJT Future Stars presented by ATB in Edmonton, AB, and the Junior Americas Cup (Team Alberta) which plays in Reno, Nevada, this August and the IMG Academy Junior World Championship in San Diego, California, this July. The MJT is the sole Canadian qualifier of the first two international events, and the full list of players who were awarded direct or short-listed spots is noted below, along with top results and winner quotes.

Kye Fisher, 18, of Leduc, AB, made a huge step towards a repeat appearance in the Junior America’s Cup (JAC) after his outstanding score of five-under par (71-68=139) secured Low Overall and the MJT Junior Boys Division title. The final JAC Team will be announced once MJT qualifying is complete.  In the Girls Divisions, Aastha Savadatti, 16, of Calgary, AB, won her second MJT event in as many starts, claiming Low Overall honours and the MJT Girls 15-19 Division title.  Both Fisher and Savadatti, along with other qualified winners, will be short-listed for the IMG Academy Junior World Championship in San Diego, CA, this July. 

Results from the TaylorMade Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points can be found here.  For more information on the MJT, please visit the website at www.maplejt.com. 

Top Finishers

MJT Girls U15: Par 72, 5325 Ydg, Slope / Rating 126/70.3

1 Kali Yeske, Calgary, AB, F, 14                                                71-80 (151)

2 Saylar May, Rocky Mountain House , AB, F, 14                    75-79 (154)

3 Aliyah Hull, Chestermere, AB, F, 14                                     80-82 (162)

Kali Yeske, 14, of Calgary, AB, won her second MJT event in as many starts in the U15 Girls Division.  After a stellar round of one under on the first day, Yeske survived windy conditions to finish with a three-stroke lead.  “Even though there were a few setbacks on the second day of the tourney, starting the season with two wins back-to-back feels very good,” said Yeske.  “Winning twice has overall inspired a lot of confidence for the coming season.”

MJT Girls 15-19: Par 72, 5800 Ydg, Slope / Rating 133/72.7 

1 Aastha Savadatti, Calgary, AB, F, 16                                     76-79 (155)

2 Sydney Bisgrove, Calgary, AB, F, 16                                     79-84 (163)

3 Eva Hogue, Edmonton, AB, F, 16                                         82-85 (167)

Aastha Savadatti, 16, of Calgary, AB, played steady golf in the difficult conditions while winning Low Overall and MJT Girls 15-19 Division title.  “Starting the season with two wins on the MJT feels good especially since I didn’t have my A game at both of them,” she stated.

MJT Peewee Boys: Par 72, 5325 Ydg , Slope / Rating  113/67.7   

1 Erik Petersen, Okotoks, AB, M, 11                                       85-82 (167)

The lone competitor in the MJT Peewee Boys Division was 11-year-old Erik Petersen of Okotoks, AB who played steady golf shooting 85-82.  “Playing on the MJT helps me make sure I am focused during the round,” said Petersen of his tournament.

MJT Bantam Boys: Par 72, 5800 Ydg , Slope / Rating 113/67.7

1 Bennett Love, Red Deer, AB, M, 12                                     75-70 (145)

2 Solomon Tong, Heritage Pointe, AB, M, 13                          75-74 (149)

3 Chase Strang, Airdrie, AB, M, 13                                          75-76 (151)

3 Harrison Kiziak, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, M, 14                    73-78 (151)

Local golfer Bennett Love, 12, of Red Deer, AB, fired an incredible round of 70 (-2) on Sunday to pull away and win the MJT Bantam Boys Division title. “It feels pretty good, especially because it was at home,” said Love. “(Winning on the MJT) helps me practice under pressure.” 

MJT Juvenile Boys: Par 72, 6308 Ydg ,Slope / Rating 121/69.7

1 Russell Quinn, St. Albert, AB, M, 16                                     72-71 (143)

2  Charlie Gillespie, Calgary, AB, M, 16                                   72-72 (144)

2 Mateo Kern, Calgary, AB, M, 16                                           72-72 (144)

Breaking through for his first win on the MJT was 16-year-old Russell Quinn of St. Albert, AB, who posted a one shot victory in a very tight race.  “I feel great to start the season with a win,” said Quinn.  “It gives me the confidence to play at this high level again.  My putting was the best part of my game as I didn’t three putt all week.”

MJT Junior Boys: Par 72, Ydg 6308 Slope / Rating 121/69.7

1 Kye Fisher, Leduc, AB, M, 18                                                71-68 (139)

2 Connor Czirjak, Rocky View County, AB, M, 17                    74-67 (141) 

3 Tate Bruggeman, Edmonton, AB, M, 16                              70-74 (144)

Kye Fisher, 18, of Leduc, AB, followed up his second-place finish at the MJT’s Paradise Canyon stop a couple of weeks ago with a fine performance, winning both the MJT Junior Boys and Low Overall titles.  “I’m super happy to start the season off well and a win makes it better,” said Fisher.  “The competitive field pushes you to play at your top level.”

Qualified and Short-Listed Exemptions:

MJT Future Stars Invitational: Russell Quinn (St. Albert, AB) as Kye Fisher (Leduc, AB) is already exempt. 

Junior America’s Cup Team: on-going qualifying – Kye Fisher is short-listed. 

IMG Academy Junior World Championship (Short-Listed Positions): Kali Yeske (Calgary), Aastha Savadatti (Calgary), Bennett Love (Red Deer), Solomon Tong (Heritage Pointe), and Kye Fisher (Leduc)

About Edge School: Edge School is a unique learning community for children in Grades 4-12 to pursue academic excellence while striving to reach their full athletic potential. We accommodate the training requirements of a wide range of sports and disciplines and offer high-performance training in basketball, dance, figure skating, fitness, golf, hockey, and soccer. Edge also offers a training environment for student-athletes in sports (luge, equestrian, skiing, swimming, tennis, etc.) that require a flexible schedule to meet their needs. For more information, visit edgeschool.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 100 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.

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