Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

June 17-18, 2023
Stony Plain, AB

125 take part in MJT’s Ford-sponsored events at Stony Plain during weather-affected weekend

An impressive number of 125 youth came out to participate in three days of Ford-sponsored events on Canada’s number one-played Junior Golf Tour in Stony Plain, Alberta, over the weekend. A free Zender Ford Junior Golf Clinic was held on June 16, to introduce kids in the community to the game, followed by the MJT Ford Series at Stony Plain Golf Club on June 17-18, in which 77 elite players competed. This two-day tournament, which was affected by poor weather on day two, was the first of seven nationally sponsored events by MJT Premier Partner, Ford Canada.  Players were competing for titles in six divisions plus the chance to be short-listed for MJT Team Canada to the prestigious Jack Newton International Junior Classic in New South Wales, Australia.  The event also featured a Ford Hole in One contest, which gave players the opportunity to win a 2024 Ford Escape valued at $40,000.

Drenching rain forced the shortening of the MJT Ford Series tournament to 27 holes with the golf course becoming unplayable on Sunday afternoon. Players battled through the conditions and finishing with Low Overall honours were Ethan Howes, 18, of Fort Saskatchewan, AB, and Olivia Johnson, 14, of Calgary, AB.  Johnson and Payton Benneweis, 16, of Edmonton, AB, were the age-appropriate players (15-17) short-listed for MJT Team Canada to Australia. The final team will be announced once qualifying has concluded across the country. Top scores and winner quotes can be found below. Results from the TaylorMade Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, and Academy Points can be found here. 

The MJT Ford Series continues at Olds Golf Club in Olds, AB, on June 26 and 27. Registration is on-going, please register here. For more information on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, please visit the website at www.maplejt.com.

Top Finishers

MJT Junior Boys: Stony Plain GC: Par 72, Ydg 6473, Slope/Rating 131/72.3

1 Ethan Howes, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, M, 18                                 72-38 (110) Countback

2 Payton Benneweis, Edmonton, AB, M, 16                                       70-40 (110)

3 Christian Hansen, Okotoks, AB, M, 18                                             72-40 (112)

Ethan Howes, 18, of Fort Saskatchewan, AB, who was a successful winner of a new Ford vehicle thanks to scoring a hole in one at a previous MJT Ford Series event, came from two shots behind to beat first round leader, Payton Benneweis of Edmonton, in a countback.  “I tried to keep myself in it as best I could and not worry about my score,” said Howes.  “I have been working on a lot of short game stuff which felt solid today.”

MJT Juvenile Boys: Stony Plain GC: Par 72, Ydg 6473, Slope/Rating 131/72.3

1 Chase Lassman, Parkland County, AB, M, 14                                  73-38 (111) Countback

2 Owen Bruins, Medicine Hat, AB, M, 15                                            72-39 (111)

3 Becker Gilewich, Edmonton, AB, M, 16                                           77-37 (114)

3 Peter Hlushak, Spruce Grove, AB, M, 15                                          77-37 (114)

In the tightest division of the weekend, 14-year-old Chase Lassman of Parkland County followed up a solid 73 with a two-over par 38 to claim the MJT Juvenile Division title via MJT countback (low score second day).  “I just hit the golf ball consistently and putted the best I could,” said Lassman.  “My mental game was strong and my ball striking (helped me win.”

MJT Bantam Boys: Stony Plain GC: Par 72, Ydg 5844, Slope/Rating 122/69.0

1 Harrison Kiziak, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, M, 14                                            72-37 (109)

2 Judah Wurtz, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, M, 13                                               79-34 (113)

3 Aricin Franklin, Saskatoon, SK, M, 14                                                           76-39 (115)

Following up an incredible 72 on the first day with an impressive 37 for day two’s shortened round, Harrison Kiziak, 14, of Fort Saskatchewan, AB, won the MJT Boys Bantam Division title.  “I didn’t let a bad decision affect me,” said Kiziak.  “I am excited to win my second tournament of the year.”

MJT Peewee Boys: Stony Plain GC: Par 72, Ydg 5494, Slope/Rating 122/69.0

1 Luke Chai Edge, Stony Plain, AB, M, 11                                                        90-51 (141)

Local Luke Chai Edge, 11, of Stony Plain, AB, was the lone player in the MJT Peewee Boys Division and when asked about his mindset, he responded “I always thought positive.”

MJT Girls U15: Stony Plain GC: Par 72, Ydg 5494, Slope/Rating 131/72.8

1 Olivia Johnson, Calgary, AB, F, 14,                                                   81-40 (121) 

2 Rhea Deo, Edmonton, AB, F, 13                                           

3 Shylee Kostiuk, Spruce Grove, AB, F, 13                              

Olivia Johnson, 14, of Calgary, AB, finished the event with a two-day total of 121 for 27 holes and won the MJT U15 Girls Division title.  

MJT Girls 15-19: Stony Plain GC: Par 72, Ydg 5494, Slope/Rating 131/72.8

1 Nicole Rohr, Camrose, AB, F, 15                                                      80-43 (123)

2 Makena Fleming, Calgary , AB, F, 16                                                99-43 (142)

2 Julianne Burlet, Edmonton, AB, F, 17                                               100-42 (142)

Nicole Rohr, 15, of Camrose, AB, played steady on the first day and survived the second day to win the MJT Girls 15-19 Division title.  “I was able to get a really good start with an 80 on the first day,” said Rohr.  “My putts from 8 feet and in really helped me save a lot of pars.”

Qualifiers List:

Short-Listed Positions:  MJT Team Canada to JNJG International Junior Classic: Payton Benneweis (Edmonton, AB) and Olivia Johnson (Calgary, AB)

*Based on the JNJG age MJT Team Canada to Australia, which is for 15- to 17-year-olds as of September 26, 2023

About Ford Canada: Ford of Canada and the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) are proud to continue with the successful MJT Ford Go Golf! Junior Clinics - an initiative that introduces golf for free to young people, teaching them a game they can benefit from their entire lives. Many thousands of kids have participated in this program since 2006. Clinics have been held in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan where participating Ford Dealers offer free MJT Ford Go Golf! Junior Clinics conducted by PGA of Canada Professionals to children in their community. Ford and the Ford Dealers Association wish to support amateur sport in their communities by introducing children to golf, encouraging them to learn the fundamentals, and rewarding them for their efforts. www.ford.ca

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.

Media Contact: 

Trent Matson, tmatson@maplejt.com Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour

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