Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 6-7, 2023
Estevan, SK

Sparvier and Kozak overcome tough conditions to take MJT Re/Max Blue Chip Realty Classic’s Low Overall titles in Estevan

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, Canada’s number one-played junior tour, started the Saskatchewan season off with the MJT Re/Max Blue Chip Realty Classic at Estevan Woodlawn Golf Club in Estevan this past weekend, where both a Junior (19U) and Mini Tour (12U) event played out. Windy conditions, gusting hard at times, made for a difficult start on both Tours.  In the 19U Junior Tour event, players competed for titles in six divisions plus the chances to qualify for the PGA Tour Canada-affiliated MJT Future Stars presented by ATB in Edmonton, AB, and the IMG Academy Junior World Championship.

Drayjon Sparvier, 19, of the Regina Ochapowace First Nation, SK, and Davin Karst, 18, of Assiniboia, SK, were tied for Boy Low Overall honours and the MJT Junior Boys title at the completion of regulation play.  Sparvier made birdie on the second playoff hole to defeat Karst, capping a great second day comeback as one of only two players to break par on day two.  The other player to break par was local standout, Ella Kozak, 17, of Yorkton, SK, who shot 78-71 (149) to claim Girls Low Overall honours and the MJT Girls 15-19 Division title. Kozak is now short-listed for the IMG Academy Junior World Championship, alongside four other division winners from the tournament.

Top results and winner quotes are detailed below. For results from the TaylorMade Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points, please click here.   

The next MJT event is the major-ranked, three-day MJT Maui Jim Classic at Elmwood Golf and Country Clubin Swift Current, SK, from May 20-22, 2023.  For more information on the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, please visit the website at www.maplejt.com.

Top Finishers

MJT Girls 15-19: Par 74, Ydg 5719, Slope / Rating 128/73.1

1 Ella Kozak, Yorkton, SK, F, 17                                   78-71 (149)

2 Hallie Crozier, Regina, SK, F, 18                                76-81 (157)

3 Niya Friesen, Swift Current, SK, F, 14                       87-85 (172)

Claiming both the MJT Girls Low Overall and 15-19 Division titles was 17-year old Ella Kozak of Yorkton, SK.  Kozak, the reigning Saskatchewan Junior Girls Champion, said, “winning this tournament helped me get some practice in before my summer and also improved my confidence.  I’m glad I could start off my season strong.”

MJT Girls U15: Par 74, Ydg 5719, Slope / Rating 128/73.1 

1 Tayla Perry, Regina, SK, F, 14                                   91-82 (173)

2 Grace Odnokon, Saskatoon, SK, F, 13                      92-84 (176)

Two competitors battled it out in the MJT Girls U15 Division, with Tayla Perry, 14, of Regina, SK, playing steady golf on day two to secure the win.  “It is a really good confidence booster and it’s a great way to start off the season with a win,” said Perry.  “It helped show me what I need to improve on to keep lowering my score for the upcoming tournaments.”

MJT Peewee Boys: Par 72, Ydg 5719, Slope / Rating 121/68.2

1 Austin Nesbitt, Pilot Butte, SK, M, 11                       79-73 (152) 

2 Tylan Wallin, Humboldt, SK, M, 12                           90-80 (170)

3 Caydin Karst, Assiniboia , SK, M, 12                         98-91 (189)

Coming off a recent win in the MJT Global Sport Academy Classic at Paradise Canyon Golf Resort in Alberta was MJT Peewee Boys winner, Austin Nesbitt, 11, of Pilot Butte, SK, who continued his strong play with another victory, this time on home soil.  “It was nice to win because I wanted to win so bad and now that I did, it feels great,” said Nesbitt. “It was good to see that my irons were good and most of my wedges were as well.”

MJT Bantam Boys: Par 72, Ydg 6104, Slope / Rating 128/69.9

1 Aricin Franklin, Saskatoon, SK, M, 14                       77-75 (152)

2 Jayden Chernoff, Estevan, SK, M, 14                        80-78 (158)

3 Ethan Hunter, Casa Rio, SK, M, 13                           82-87 (169)

In the MJT Bantam Boys division, Aricin Franklin, 14, of Saskatoon, SK, closed with three birdies on the back nine on day two to win the title by six strokes.   “I feel very good about the win.  The windy conditions made the course play tough so I am happy with my scores,” he said.

MJT Juvenile Boys: Par 72, Ydg 6348 Slope / Rating 130/71.0

1 Brady Guenther, Saskatoon , SK, M, 15                   83-76 (159)

2 Dade Bernatchez, Sucker River, SK, M, 15               82-78 (160)

3 Jack Maharaj, Saskatoon, SK, M, 14                         83-78 (161)

In the tightest race of the weekend, Brady Guenther, 15, of Saskatoon, SK, won the MJT Juvenile Boys Division title by one shot.  “I feel amazing!  This is my first MJT win and it feels awesome,” said Guenter.  “(Winning) helps improve my game by getting me more confident with my overall game.”

MJT Junior Boys: Par 72, Ydg 6348 Slope / Rating 130/71.0

1 Drayjon Sparvier, Regina Ochapowace First Nation, SK, M, 19       79-71 (150)*Won playoff

1 Davin Karst, Assiniboia, SK, M, 18                                                             72-78 (150)

3 Winston Grayson, Kipling, SK, M, 18                                                        76-78 (154)

Heading into a playoff after being tied following regulation play, Drayjon Sparvier, 19, of Regina Ochapowace First Nation, SK, made a birdie on the second playoff hole to close out the match and win the MJT Junior Boys Division and Boys Low Overall titles.  “It feels good, I was able to find out my weaknesses and strengths in this type of weather,” stated Sparvier, who qualified for a direct exemption to the MJT Future Stars presented by ATB.  “My putting really saved me the second day of the tournament.”

Qualifiers:

MJT Future Stars Invitational: Drayjon Sparvier (Regina Ochapowace First Nation, SK)

IMG Academy Junior World Championship (Short-Listed Positions): Tayla Perry (Regina), Ella Kozak (Yorkton), Austin Nesbitt (Pilot Butte), Aricin Franklin (Saskatoon), and Davin Karst (Assiniboia)

About Re/Max Blue Chip Realty: We are a dedicated team of Real Estate Specialists who understand real estate and are here to serve the needs of our buyers and sellers of Saskatchewan Real Estate. In believing that our clients’ need’s come first, we are dedicated to providing the highest level of quality service to our sellers and buyers. Through our commitment to continued education, and promotion of a strong team atmosphere, we strive to obtain positive results for our clients, staff and company. 

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.

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