Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour
The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
May 20-22, 2023
Swift Current, SK
Swift Current stop sees almost 150 in Maple Leaf Junior Tour’s Maui Jim Classic; six qualify for FCG World Championship
The Saskatchewan circuit of the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour had a huge weekend at Elmwood Golf and Country Club in Swift Current for the Maui Jim Classic, when almost 150 participants descended on the city for both Junior (19U) and Mini Tour(12U) events. Results from the 117 who participated in the 19U event on May 20, 21 and 22 are highlighted below – this was a World Amateur Golf Ranked 54 hole tournament with players competing for titles in six divisions, bonus MJT Order of Merit points, and the chance to qualify for two major events where the MJT is the sole Canadian qualifier: the FCG Callaway World Championship in Rancho Mirage, CA, and the PGA Tour Canada-affiliated MJT Future Stars presented by ATB in Edmonton, AB.
Low overall Girl and Boy honours went to Hallie Crozier, 18, of Regina, SK, and Thomas Danielson, 18, of Saskatoon, SK, respectively. Every division winner, along with spectacular prizes of Maui Jim sunglasses from premier MJT Sponsor, Maui Jim, receives an exemption into the FCG Callaway World Championship. Danielson, who finished at seven-under-par for the weekend, is eligible for the MJT Future Stars Invitational along with low overall runner-up Myles Johnson, 18, of Martensville, SK. Results from the TaylorMade Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points can be found here.
Registration is on-going for the next stop in the province at the MJT Golf Saskatchewan Order of Merit (OOM) Series presented by Competitive Will Performance at Deer Valley Golf and Estates in Deer Valley on June 24-25. For more information on the MJT, please visit the website at www.maplejt.com.
Top Finishers
MJT Girls U15: Par 72 Ydg 5139, Slope / Rating 127/70.4
1 Aliyah Hull, Chestermere, AB, F, 14 81-82-81 (244)
2 Tayla Perry, Regina , SK, F, 14 79-82-84 (245)
3 Grace Odnokon, Saskatoon, SK, F, 13 81-87-80 (248)
Aliyah Hull, 14, from Chestermere, AB, kept the ball in play with her driver which helped her win this week. “I feel really good because this gives me the confidence going into the next tournament,” said Hull.
MJT Girls 15-19: Par 72, Ydg 5934, Slope / Rating 139/75.1
1 Hallie Crozier, Regina, SK, F, 18 74-74-76 (224)
2 Jayla Kucy, Camrose, AB, F, 17 78-86-81 (245)
3 Chloe Wills, Kyle, SK, F, 15 89-85-78 (252)
Hallie Crozier, 18, of Regina, SK, who will be attending Ferris State University in the Fall, was outstanding all weekend and dominated the MJT Girls 15-19 Division while also winning Low Overall. “It’s a good start to the season, I have been grinding hard and I am really happy to see my results,” said Crozier. “I can’t wait to continue the season on a strong note.”
MJT Peewee Boys: Par 72, Ydg 5139, Slope / Rating 115/65.5
1 Austin Nesbitt, Pilot Butte, SK, M, 11 72-76-79 (227)
2 Tylan Wallin, Humboldt, SK, M, 12 76-74-85 (235)
3 Caydin Karst, Assiniboia , SK, M, 12 98-87-92 (277)
Austin Nesbitt, 11, of Pilot Butte, SK, won his third MJT title in a row by playing smart and steady golf to finish atop the MJT Peewee Boys Division. “It took a lot of mental preparation to pull off this win and I am so happy that I did,” said Nesbitt. “It showed me that I need to work on my putting a lot and have more confidence with my putter.”
MJT Bantam Boys: Par 72, Ydg 5934, Slope / Rating 124/69.0
1 Aricin Franklin, Saskatoon, SK, M, 14 75-74-79 (228)
2 Jayden Arnold, Calgary, AB, M, 12 76-81-75 (232)
2 Harrison Kiziak, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, M, 14 73-79-80 (232)
In the MJT Bantam Boys Division, Aricin Franklin, 14, of Saskatoon, SK, was solid all weekend, putting together three good rounds to win his second title in as many starts. “It is nice to start the season with back-to-back wins,” said Franklin. “I am hoping to keep trending in the right direction.”
MJT Juvenile Boys: Par 72, Ydg 6386 Slope / Rating 131/71.3
1 Peter Hlushak, Spruce Grove, AB, M, 15 79-72-73 (224) Won Playoff
1 Russell Quinn, St. Albert, AB, M, 16 76-75-73 (224)
1 Dane Giesbrecht, Warman, SK, M, 15 73-72-79 (224)
In the closest race that we have seen for a long time, a three-way tie for first place in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division after three rounds of play saw 15-year old Peter Hlushak of Spruce Grove, AB, come away with the victory. Hlushak made a an up-and-down from the sand for birdie and sealed his victory over Russell Quinn (St. Albert, AB) and Dane Giesbrecht (Warman, SK). “It feels really good to start the season with a win, especially in a major,” stated Hlushak. “It helps give me confidence and know that I can come back after a bad first day.”
MJT Junior Boys: Par 72, Ydg 6386 Slope / Rating 131/71.3
1 Thomas Danielson, Saskatoon, SK, M, 18 72-67-70 (209)
2 Myles Johnson, Martensville, SK, M, 18 70-73-68 (211)
2 Chase Pochylko, Saskatoon, SK, M, 18 71-70-70 (211)
MJT veteran Thomas Danielson, 18, of Saskatoon, SK, was flawless over the weekend, firing 72-67-70 to finish at seven-under for the MJT Junior Boys Division title and Low Overall. “(This win) gives me more confidence going into the rest of the season,” said Danielson. “I feel good and confident, I hit it pretty good all three days.”
Qualified Players:
MJT Future Stars Invitational: Thomas Danielson (Saskatoon) and Myles Johnson (Martensville)
FCG Callaway World Championship (Direct Exemptions – must meet scoring requirements): Thomas Danielson (Saskatoon), Peter Hlushak (Spruce Grove), Aricin Franklin (Saskatoon), Austin Nesbitt (Pilot Butte), Hallie Crozier (Regina) and Aliyah Hull (Chestermere)
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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, Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, tmatson@maplejt.com
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