Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour
The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
July 6-7, 2023
Selkirk, MB
Giordani-Gross and Oakden short-listed for National Team Challenge after MJT PLYR Series at Selkirk
It was another great field on the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, Canada’s number-one played junior tour, in Selkirk, MB, this past week, when over 75 players competed in the MJT PLYR Series at Selkirk Golf and Country Club in either the Mini Tour (12U) or Junior Tour (19U) events on July 6-7. The results from the Junior Tour event are highlighted here, where titles in six divisions were on the line and winners were treated to a full set of PLYR prizes. There was also the chance to qualify for the MJT National Team Challenge presented by Canada Life at Royal Niagara Golf Club this September.
Selkirk Golf and Country Club played tough however Zostrianos Giordani-Gross, 17, of Brandon, MB, matched par on his first round and scooped Low Overall for the Boys divisions, while this honour in the Girls divisions went to Payton Oakden, 16, also of Brandon, MB. For their wins, both Giordani-Gross and Oakden are now both short-listed for the MJT National Team Challenge this September. Top finisher results and winner quotes follow; all the scores along with results from the TaylorMade Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points, can be found here.
The next Junior Tour stop in the province is the MJT Maui Jim Series at Carman Golf Club in Carman, MB, on July 26-27 – register here. For more information on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, please visit the website at www.maplejt.com.
Top Finishers
MJT Peewee Boys: Selkirk: Par 71, Ydg 5629, Slope/Rating 112/67.0
1 Ryder St.Laurent, Île Des Chênes, MB, M, 12 76-82 (158)
2 Owen Conrad, Winnipeg, MB, M, 12 78-84 (162)
3 Xavier Delaquis, Winnipeg, MB, M, 12 82-87 (169)
The MJT Peewee Boys Division title was won by 12-year-old Ryder St. Laurent of Île Des Chênes, MB, who held on for a four stroke victory. “I am very excited to win on the tour, everyone played well and (there was) lots of competition,” said St. Laurent. “I didn’t look at how far back or ahead I was, I just played like I would any other day.”
MJT Bantam Boys: Selkirk: Par 71, Ydg 6251, Slope/Rating 118/69.3
1 Hunter Oakden, Brandon, MB, M, 12 78-77 (155)
2 Gavin Carver, La Salle, MB, M, 14 84-76 (160)
3 Ty Brewster, Steinbach, MB, M, 14 83-78 (161)
Hunter Oakden, 12, of Brandon, MB, broke through to win his first event of the season in the MJT Bantam Boys Division. “It feels good to win as I have never won in this age group,” said Oakden. “I knew I was up a few so I stayed calm and hit clubs to keep it in play and finish strong.”
MJT Juvenile Boys: Selkirk: Par 71, Ydg 6480, Slope/Rating 120/70.4
1 Jackson Delaurier, Dauphin, MB, M, 16 73-74 (147)
2 Brayden Boge, Winnipeg, MB, M, 15 73-77 (150)
3 Payne Wood, Winnipeg, MB, M, 16 79-74 (153)
MJT veteran, Jackson Delaurier, 16, of Dauphin, MB, played steady golf, pulling away from his nearest rival to win the MJT Juvenile Boys Division title by three shots. “It feels good to shoot back-to-back good scores,” said Delaurier. “I tried to hit the fairway and then the centre of the green.”
MJT Junior Boys: Selkirk: Par 71, Ydg 6480, Slope/Rating 120/70.4
1 Zostrianos Giordani-Gross, Brandon, MB, M, 17 71-74 (145)
2 Kaleb Lambert, Lorette West, MB, M, 17 76-73 (149)
2 Hayden Delaloye, Neepawa, MB, M, 17 73-76 (149)
Zostrainos Giordani-Gross, 17, of Brandon, MB, won his second event of the year along with Low Overall honours in the MJT Junior Boys Division. “It feels great! My game is not at a good point right now so it feels good to find some consistency with my scores,” said Giordani-Gross. “I was trying not to think about my score or possible finish.”
MJT Girls U15: Selkirk: Par 73, Ydg 5729, Slope/Rating 121/72.3
1 Payton Bailey, Brandon, MB, F, 13 96-101 (197)
Payton Bailey, 13, of Brandon, MB, played solid golf in the MJT U15 Girls Division, continually working on her game. “I just kept pushing and did not give up or mess up,” said Bailey. “It feels good.”
MJT Girls 15-19: Selkirk: Par 73, Ydg 5729, Slope/Rating 121/72.3
1 Payton Oakden, Brandon, MB, F, 16 82-83 (165)
Payton Oakden, 16, of Brandon, MB, shot 82-83 over the tough Selkirk layout. “I tried to keep it in play and stay calm all through the tournament,” said Oakden.
Qualified Players: Short-listed position in the MJT National Team Challenge: Zostrianos Giordani-Gross (Brandon) and Payton Oakden (Brandon)
About PLYR Golf: Established in 2015, PLYR emerged with an idea that would allow both casual street apparel and golf attire to merge. Fast forward a few years and although the brand has expanded beyond the course, the vision remains - push the status quo on what is 'cool' in athletic apparel. Our mission is simple. Create a culture that will inspire and connect the next generation of PLYR's* through innovative, high-quality products. PLYR* - Any and all athletes. We are all PLYR's.
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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