Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 3-5, 2023
Calgary, AB

Tong’s terrific 61 breaks course record at MJT Ford Series-PGA of Alberta Junior Championship in Calgary

It was a record-setting weekend at McKenzie Meadows Golf Club in Calgary, Alberta, on Canada’s number one-played junior tour, with over 150 youth taking part in either the free Ford Go Golf! Junior Clinic presented by Woodridge Ford on July 2, or in the field of 107 competitive players in the MJT Ford Series - PGA of Alberta Junior Championship from July 3 through 5, where several incredible scores were shot, one which broke the course record along with MJT’s 25-year records for low scores.

University of Rhode Island commit, Josiah Tong, 17, of Heritage Pointe, AB, crushed the competitive course record with a blistering 61 (-11) on the final day of the three-day major to play his way into the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s record books. Tong took Low Overall Score for the boys while another MJT veteran and Golf Canada product, Eileen Park, 14, of Red Deer, AB, finished at four-under par to earn Low Overall honours among the Girls divisions.  Players were vying for World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, major MJT Order of Merit pints, AJGA PBE Stars, and a host of other rankings along with the opportunity to play in the MJT National Team Challenge presented by Canada Life at Royal Niagara Golf Club this September.

Top finisher scores in six divisions and winner quotes are highlighted below. Every winner received a custom-designed Hoselton trophy along with fantastic prizing. Full tournament details including results of the TaylorMade Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points wrap-up, are on the MJT website here.  The next tournament in the province is the MJT Maui Jim Series at Carstairs Golf Club in Carstairs on July 17-18 – please register here.  To see the full 2023 MJT schedule and upcoming events, please click here.

Top Finishers by Division

MJT Junior Boys: McKenzie Meadows GC: Par 72, Ydg 6605, Slope/Rating 132/72.2

1 Josiah Tong, Heritage Pointe, AB, M, 17                                                      69-70-61 (200)

2 Wyatt Bishop, Dunmore, AB, M, 18                                                               69-72-71 (212)

3 Aidan Fong, Calgary, AB, M, 18                                                                       80-68-65 (213)

An absolutely incredible final round of a final round 61 (-11) fired by Josiah Tong, 17, of Heritage Pointe, AB, crushed the competitive course record along with 25 years of MJT record low scores. Tong was crowned MJT Ford Series-PGA of Alberta Junior Boys Champion with his 12 shot victory in the division. With perfect scoring conditions, Tong did not let them go to waste as he had ten birdies and an eagle at McKenzie Meadows.  “It feels great to get it done this week,” said Tong. “Coming down the stretch, my mind was focused on each shot.  I purposely avoided thinking of the end result, instead trying to focus on what to do with my shot.  I felt having that focus helped.”

MJT Juvenile Boys: McKenzie Meadows GC: Par 72, Ydg 6605, Slope/Rating 132/72.2

1 Mateo Kern, Calgary, AB, M, 16                                                                    70-71-66 (207)

2 Parker Riou, Strathmore, AB, M, 16                                                             71-74-67 (212)

3 Brae Rogalczyk, Innisfail, AB, M, 15                                                             76-69-69 (214)

3 Cade Farrow, Cochrane, AB, M, 15                                                              76-67-71 (214)

Mateo Kern, 15, of Calgary, AB, finally broke through as he posted a final round 66 (-9 for the event) to win the MJT Ford Series-PGA of Alberta Juvenile Boys Champion’s trophy by five shots.  “I feel great that all the hard work paid off.  It’s my first win on the MJT and hopefully there are more to come in the future,” said Kern.  “It feels good to win but feels better knowing I had people supporting me throughout the past few days.  My Mom, Dad, Grandparents and friends, thanks for being there for me.”

MJT Girls 15-19: McKenzie Meadows GC: Par 72, Ydg 5989, Slope/Rating 137/74.8

1 Eileen Park, Red Deer, AB, F, 14                                                                   70-70-72 (212)

2  Carys Code, Calgary, AB, F, 18                                                                     73-70-70 (213)

3 Tessa Ion, Calgary, AB, F, 16                                                                          75-70-75 (220)

Eileen Park, 14, of Red Deer, AB, playing up a division, birdied the final hole to finish the tournament at an amazing four under par and win by one shot to be crowned MJT Ford Series-PGA of Alberta Girls 15-19 Champion.  “It feels amazing to win my first MJT this year and that it is a big tournament,” said Park.  “My putt on 18 for birdie made me win.”

MJT Bantam Boys: McKenzie Meadows GC: Par 72, Ydg 5989, Slope/Rating 121/69.2

1 Harrison Kiziak, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, M, 14                                         73-70-67 (210)

2 Sam Cook, Calgary, AB, M, 14                                                                        75-68-69 (212)

2 Bennett Love, Red Deer, AB, M, 12                                                             75-66-71 (212)

MJT Ford Series-PGA of Alberta Bantam Boys Champion was Harrison Kiziak, 14, of Fort Saskatchewan, AB, who won his third event of the season in a tight match.  Kiziak finished the event at six-under par and narrowly defeated his closed rivals who finished two back in a tie for second.  “It’s my first major win and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings me,” said Kiziak.  “I tried to stay focused on my shots and didn’t let a bad shot get in my head.”

MJT Girls U15: McKenzie Meadows GC: Par 72, Ydg 5132, Slope/Rating 124/69.9

1 Saylar May, Rocky Mountain House, AB, F, 14                                         73-73-70 (216)

2 Sela Ogada, Calgary, AB, F, 13                                                                      75-72-76 (223)

3 Olivia Johnson, Calgary, AB, F, 14                                                               73-76-78 (227)

Steady golf over three days played by Saylar May, 14, of Rocky Mountain House, AB, handed her  the MJT Ford Series-PGA of Alberta Girls U15 Champion’s title by seven shots over her nearest rival.  “It feels really good considering I’ve been in contention every tourney,” said May.  “Coming down the stretch, I was trying to make pars and keep the ball in play.”

MJT Peewee Boys: McKenzie Meadows GC: Par 72, Ydg 5132, Slope/Rating 119/67.3

1 Jacob Natomagan, Sylvan Lake, AB, M, 12                                                   75-75-73 (223)

2 Kellen Heddema, Desert Blume, AB, M, 12                                                 100-84-84 (268)

Jacob Natomagan, 12, of Sylvan Lake, AB, fired three great rounds to win the MJT Ford Series-PGA of Alberta Peewee Boys Champion’s title. “It feels good giving me a lot of momentum going into the next tournament,” said Natomagan.  “Coming down the stretch I focused on hitting to the centre of the green and gave myself a chance at birdie.”       

Qualifiers:

Short-Listed Position for the MJT National Team Challenge at Royal Niagara GC: Eileen Park (Red Deer, AB) and Josiah Tong (Heritage Pointe, AB)

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 PGA of Alberta: The PGA of Alberta is a provincially organized branch of the Professional Golfers’ Association of Canada which was formed in 1911. It is the second oldest professional golf association in the world. Operating as a not-for-profit organization, the PGA of Alberta organizes golf tournaments, education seminars, trade shows and consumer shows all with one goal in mind: to advance the careers of our Members.

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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