Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 17-18, 2023
Carstairs, AB

Hansen and Johnson Low Overall Boy and Girl in MJT Maui Jim Series at Carstairs; Calgary City Junior Girls Champions crowned

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, Canada’s number-one played junior golf tour, held a stop on the popular MJT Maui Jim Series at Carstairs Golf Club in Carstairs, Alberta, on July 17 and 19, where players were competing for titles in six divisions, rewarded with fantastic prizes of Maui Jim sunglasses plus the chance to be short-listed for the MJT National Team Challenge presented by Canada Life at Royal Niagara Golf Club in Niagara, ON, this September.  The Girls divisions were also competing for CLGA Junior Girls Championship titles in partnership with the Calgary Ladies Golf Association.  

Weather played havoc with the full field on day one but play managed to resume after a delay. Top finisher scores and quotes from the winners are noted below, while results from the TaylorMade Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points can be found on the MJT website here.  Highlights included a three-way tie for the lead and a playoff in the MJT Bantam Boys division between Jayden Arnold, 12, of Calgary, AB, Chase Strang, 13, of Airdrie, AB, and Bennett Love, 12, of Red Deer, AB; Olivia Johnson, 14, and Sophie Dhaliwal, 16, both from Calgary, AB, being crowned the Calgary City Girls Junior Champions in their respective age divisions of Girls 14U and Girls 15-18; and Christian Hansen, 18, of Okotoks, AB, finishing the event under par to claim Low Overall honours in the Boys divisions.  Johnson was the Low Overall Girl and as a result, joins Hansen on the shortlist for Team MJT in the MJT National Team Challenge this September.

The next tournament in the province is the MJT-SAIT Trojans Classic at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, AB, on August 1 and 2; limited spots are still available. To register, or for more information on the MJT, please visit the website at www.maplejt.com.

Top Finishers

MJT Girls U15: Carstairs: Par 72, Ydg 5633, Slope/Rating 135/72.2

1 Olivia Johnson, Calgary, AB, F, 14                                                    77-75 (152)

2 Sela Ogada, Calgary, AB, F, 13                                                           80-75 (155)

3 Justine Leon, Calgary, AB, F, 13                                                        83-76 (159)

3 Raylee Denton, Red Deer, AB, F, 13                                                 82-77 (159)

Claiming the MJT U15 Girls Division and 14U Calgary City Junior Girls Championship titles was MJT veteran, Olivia Johnson, 14, of Calgary, AB, who posted two great rounds en-route to a three-stroke victory and Low Overall for the Girls divisions.  “It feels really good to win,” said Johnson.  ”I was just trying to stay focused and have fun.”

MJT Girls 15-19: Carstairs: Par 72, Ydg 5633, Slope/Rating 135/72.2

1 Sophie Dhaliwal, Calgary, AB, F, 16                                                  83-76 (159)

2 Jadyn Gracie, Calgary, AB, F, 17                                                       83-81 (164)

3 Cianna Law, Calgary, AB, F, 16                                                         88-82 (170)

Sophie Dhaliwal, 16, of Calgary, AB, has a solid round on the second day to pull away from the rest of the field and win the 15-18 Calgary City Junior Girls Championship and the MJT Girls 15-19 Division titles.  “It feels great to win!” said Dhaliwal.  “My hard work and hours of practice are coming along.  I’m feeling more confident with my shots.”

MJT Peewee Boys: Carstairs: Par 72, Ydg 5633, Slope/Rating 117/66.0

1 Jacob Brunette, Calgary, AB, M, 11                                                  97-94 (191)

2 Harrison Wells, Edmonton, AB, M, 11                                             107-105 (212)

The MJT Peewee Boys Division title was won by 11-year-old Jacob Brunette of Calgary who posted solid scores.  “It feels pretty good to win,” said Brunette.  “I just wanted to finish on a good note.”

MJT Bantam Boys : Carstairs: Par 72, Ydg 6149, Slope/Rating 110/62.5

1 Jayden Arnold, Calgary, AB, M, 12                                                  78-74 (152) Playoff

2 Chase Strang, Airdrie, AB, M, 13                                                      79-73 (152)

2 Bennett Love, Red Deer, AB, M, 12                                                 76-76 (152)

A three-way tie for the lead after regulation play in the MJT Bantam Boys Division at the Maui Jim Series led to a playoff, which saw Jayden Arnold, 12, of Calgary, AB, making a birdie on the first playoff hole to claim the title.  “It feels really good to win my second tournament this year,” said Arnold.  “I knew that I had to birdie the final hole to force a playoff and I was grateful that I pulled it off.”

MJT Juvenile Boys: Carstairs: Par 72, Ydg 6510, Slope/Rating 115/66.1

1 Mateo Kern, Calgary, AB, M, 16                                                       71-73 (144)

2 Saahil Kaura, Calgary, AB, M, 16                                                      75-71 (146)

3 Liam Czirjak, Calgary, AB, M, 14                                                       77-70 (147)

Mateo Kern, 16, of Calgary, AB, fired two solid rounds to finish the event at even par and claim the MJT Juvenile Boys Division title by two shots over his nearest rival, winning back-to-back on the MJT.  “It feels incredible to get another win, back-to-back,” said Kern.  “It shows that my first win was no fluke, and that my game is at a good level overall.”

MJT Junior Boys: Carstairs: Par 72, Ydg 6510, Slope/Rating 115/66.1

1 Christian Hansen, Okotoks, AB, M, 18                                             72-70 (142)

2 Colton Stadnyk, Canmore, AB, M, 17                                               79-69 (148)

3 Jace Shannon, Forestburg, AB, M, 18                                              74-76 (150)

3 Michael Song, Red Deer, AB, M, 16                                                  74-76 (150)

MJT Junior Boys title and Low Overall honours for the Boys Divisions went to Christian Hansen, 18, of Okotoks, AB, who finished the event at a fantastic two-under-par after a solid 70 on the second day.  “It feels good to win,” stated Hanen.  “I just wanted to make sure I didn’t blow the lead and finish strong.”

Short-Listed Positions for the MJT National Team Challenge presented by Canada Life at Royal Niagara GC: Olivia Johnson (Calgary) and Christian Hansen (Okotoks)

About Maui Jim:  Now the fastest growing premium polarized sunglass maker in the world, Maui Jim got its start seeing a need in the market for technology that could combat intense glare and harmful UV while bringing brilliant colors to life. The Aloha Spirit permeates our philosophy at Maui Jim. Our "ohana" (Hawaiian for family) is passionate about creating the best sunglasses on the planet. Because at the end of the day, we want to see the world at its best - and we know that you do, too, no matter where you live. Aloha, friends! To visit the website, please click here.

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