Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour
The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
September 9-10, 2023
Nisku, AB
Over 130 take part in MJT’s Ford events at RedTail Landing to end Alberta season on a high
It was fantastic to see over 130 take part at RedTail Landing Golf Club in Nisku, AB, on September 9 and 10, participating on Canada’s number one-played Junior Tour in events sponsored by MJT Premier Partner, Ford Canada, and Nisku Ford. The events included a free junior golf clinic courtesy of Nisku Ford on September 9 to introduce kids aged six to 12 in the community to the game, and the MJT Ford Series on September 9 and 10, a two-day, high-level tournament for 19U golfers. Results of the latter, where players were competing for titles in six divisions plus the opportunity to win a 2024 Ford Escape valued at $40,000 in a Ford Hole in One contest, are highlighted below.
Strong winds made things challenging for the players on a tough course layout. 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. Low overall honours for Girls and Boys went to Olivia Johnson of Calgary, AB, and Ryan Garbutt of Edmonton, AB, respectively, after they both held off all competitors in the MJT Girls U15 and MJT Junior Boys divisions. Other division winners included Emma Liu of Edmonton in MJT Girls 15-19, Dylan Pandher of Delta, BC, in MJT Peewee Boys, Harrison Kiziak of Fort Saskatchewan, AB, in MJT Bantam Boys, who was the only player in the field to break 70, and Ryan Badger of Edmonton in the MJT Juvenile Division, who won by five shots over the runner-up.
The MJT Ford Series at RedTail Landing wrapped up another successful season in the province and the MJT wishes to thank all the players and families for their support. Early Bird memberships for 2024 will be available in December. More information on Canada’s number one-played Junior Golf Tour, as well as results of the invitation-only MJT National Team Challenge in Niagara, ON, from September 15-17, and prestigious MJT National Championship in Arizona this November, can be viewed online at www.maplejt.com.
Top Finishers
MJT Girls U15: RedTail Landing: Par 72, Ydg 5466, Slope/Rating 121/70.4
1 Olivia Johnson, Calgary, AB, F, 14 77-78 (155)
2 Sela Ogada, Calgary, AB, F, 13 76-82 (158)
3 Aliyah Hull, Chestermere, AB, F, 14 78-84 (162)
The MJT U15 Girls Division and Low Overall titles went to 14-year-old Olivia Johnson of Calgary, who capped off an amazing season with her eighth win. “It feels good to end off on a win for my last MJT of the season,” said Johnson. “I am getting ready for MJT Nationals!”
MJT Girls 15-19: RedTail Landing: Par 72, Ydg 5466, Slope/Rating 121/70.4
1 Emma Liu, Edmonton, AB, F, 16 79-80 (159)
2 Chloe Wills, Kyle, SK, F, 15 81-81 (162)
3 Alexandra Chiew, Calgary, AB, F, 17 77-86 (163)
Emma Liu, 16, of Edmonton, AB, claimed her third victory of the season in the MJT Girls 15-19 Division this weekend by a commanding margin. “It’s a really good way to wrap up the season,” said Liu. “Now, I am just going to keep pushing hard to be prepared for MJT Nationals.”
MJT Peewee Boys: RedTail Landing: Par 72, Ydg 5466, Slope/Rating 108/66.0
1 Dylan Pandher, Delta, BC, M, 12 82-85 (167)
2 Harrison Wells, Edmonton, AB, M, 11 88-96 (184)
3 Luke Bock, Spruce Grove, AB, M, 12 93-94 (187)
Making the trip from Delta, BC, worth his while was 12-year-old Dylan Pandher, who won the MJT Peewee Boys Division for his third victory of the year. “It’s a great feeling to win at RedTail Landing,” said Pandher. “It’s a challenging course and the wind even makes it more difficult and unpredictable.”
MJT Bantam Boys: RedTail Landing: Par 72, Ydg 5988, Slope/Rating 114/68.0
1 Harrison Kiziak, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, M, 14 71-69 (140)
2 Ryan Johnson, Calgary, AB, M, 14 78-75 (153)
3 Bennett Love, Red Deer, AB, M, 13 75-80 (155)
Finishing the weekend at four-under par and winning the MJT Bantam Division title in style was five-time winner Harrison Kiziak, 14, of Fort Saskatchewan, AB. “It feels good to win the last event of the year,” said Kiziak. “It is nice knowing my game is solid going into Nationals.”
MJT Juvenile Boys: RedTail Landing: Par 72, Ydg 6470, Slope/Rating 121/70.1
1 Ryan Badger, Edmonton, AB, M, 16 70-75 (145)
2 Becker Gilewich, Edmonton, AB, M, 17 74-76 (150)
3 Cashe McNabb, Calgary, AB, M, 16 76-77 (153)
3 Adam Letendre Jr., Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, AB, M, 16 71-82 (153)
Ryan Badger, 16, of Edmonton, AB, broke through for his first win after knocking on the door a few other times this year and claimed the MJT Juvenile Division title. “It’s amazing! I have been playing so good over the last couple weeks, I’d been in this position after day one twice already this year and wasn’t able to come away with the win. To be able to close it out this time, with the crazy wind, is something I feel I deserved,” said Badger.
MJT Junior Boys: RedTail Landing: Par 72, Ydg 6470, Slope/Rating 121/70.1
1 Ryan Garbutt, Edmonton, AB, M, 17 71-72 (143)
2 Christian Hansen, Okotoks, AB, M, 19 72-75 (147)
3 Kole Keenas, Wheatland County, AB, M, 18 79-71 (150)
3 Zostrianos Giordani-Gross, Brandon, MB, M, 17 74-76 (150)
The MJT Junior Boys Division and Low Overall titles went to 17-year-old Ryan Garbutt of Edmonton, AB, who finished the weekend at one-under par in windy conditions for a four-shot victory, his second of the year. “It feels awesome! I had a lot of fun this week and it felt good to get the win,” said Garbutt.
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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