Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour
The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
May 27-28, 2023
Springfield, ON
Playoff and three major qualifiers highlight MJT’s Tarandowah Golfers Club stop
Two great days of weather and very little wind made the challenging Tarandowah Golfers Club in Springfield, Ontario, a little more friendly for the field in the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Ontario Series this past weekend, where players were competing for titles in six divisions plus the chances to qualify for three major events: the PGA TOUR Canada-affiliated ‘Road to the TPC Finale’ for juniors, and the U17 and U15 Championships with Golf Ontario.
There was a miraculous chip in for eagle on the final hole by Simon Moir, 18, of London, ON, to take a one-shot lead in the MJT Junior Boys division, but it was short lived as Jack Zylstra, 18, of St. Thomas, ON, rolled in a 30-foot birdie to force a playoff. Zylstra won on the third extra hole to take the title. In MJT Girls 15-19, Jade Guo, 15, of Toronto, ON, played steady golf to win the division title and Low Overall Girls score. Both Zylstra and Guo qualified for spots in ‘The Road to the TPC Finale’ at TPC Toronto this July.
Top finisher results with winner quotes are highlighted below. Results from the TaylorMade Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points can be found here. Regarding upcoming events in the province, registration is on-going for the MJT Ontario Series at Tangle Creek Golf Club in Barrie, June 24-25, which will short-list players for the JNJG International Classic in New South Wales, Australia.
For more information on Canada’s number one-played Junior Golf Tour, please visit the website at www.maplejt.com.
Top Finishers
MJT Girls U15: Par 70, 5402 Ydg, Slope / Rating 124/71.6
1 Alexis Card, Cambridge, ON, F, 12 80-73 (153)
2 Sierra Kowalyshyn, Stoney Creek, ON, F, 14 78-87 (165)
3 Danica Suckert, Cambridge, ON, F, 13 110-98 (208)
Alexis Card, 12, of Cambridge, ON, won her second title of the season after shooting the low round of the day and winning the MJT Girls U15 Division. “I think this is great,” said Card, who receives a direct exemption into the Golf Ontario U15 Championship. “My irons helped me win this weekend such as my second shot on number 18 on day two, which led to a birdie.”
MJT Girls 15-19: Par 70, Ydg, 5402 Slope / Rating 124/71.6
1 Jade Guo, Toronto, ON, F, 15 74-77 (151)
2 Mikayla Lacey, Port Colborne, ON, F, 16 79-78 (157)
3 Amy Goddard, Toronto, ON, F, 16 87-82 (169)
Jade Guo, 15, of Toronto, ON, was in control all weekend as she was crowned Low Overall and the MJT Girls 15-19 Division winner. “I felt very focused on the first day which helped me shoot just four over,” said Guo, who is now exempt for the Golf Ontario U17 Championship. “I am currently working on pitching from 40-90 yards, this helps me lower the number of putts.”
MJT Peewee Boys: Par 70, 5402 Ydg , Slope / Rating 116/66.2
1 Luke Brockie, Burlington, ON, M, 12 81-87 (168)
2 Rohan Chawla, Chatham, ON, M, 12 88-91 (179)
Luke Brockie, 12, of Burlington, ON, was steady and managed his way around Tarandowah to win the MJT Peewee Boys Division title. “I rate this win a ten out of ten; it feels good,” said Brockie. “My short game helped me win, I chipped in on hole number 10.”
MJT Bantam Boys: Par 70, 6231 Ydg, Slope / Rating 125/70.1
1 Brayden Card, Cambridge, ON, M, 14 76-71 (147)
2 Matthew Simpson, Etobicoke, ON, M, 14 77-73 (150)
3 Matthew Gray, Beamsville, ON, M, 14 80-72 (152)
It was the third win of the season for MJT Bantam Boys champion, Brayden Card, 14, of Cambridge, ON, who tamed the tough Tarandowah track for a three stroke victory and a spot in the Golf Ontario U15 Championship. “This win is up there with my best because I was able to win without my best game,” said Card.
MJT Juvenile Boys: Par 70, 6622 Ydg, Slope / Rating 129/72.2
1 Charlie Vokins, Toronto, ON, M, 16 79-70 (149)
2 Carter Banton, Kitchener, ON, M, 15 74-76 (150)
3 Xavier Bernier, Kitchener, ON, M, 16 75-78 (153)
Charlie Vokins, 16, of Toronto, ON, tied the low round of the weekend on the second day to come back and win the MJT Juvenile Boys Division title. “I never gave up and putted very well,” said Vokins. “I’ve been working on my putting and chipping a lot and it helps me to save pars when I miss greens.” Vokins receives the boys exemption into the Golf Ontario U17 Championship.
MJT Junior Boys: Par 70, 6622 Ydg, Slope / Rating 129/72.2
1 Jack Zylstra, St. Thomas, ON, M, 18 73-74 (147) Won Playoff
1 Simon Moir, London, ON, M, 18 77-70 (147)
3 Bennett Hawrelak, Komoka, ON, M, 16 79-74 (153)
Jack Zylstra, 18, of St. Thomas, ON, birdied the last hole of regulation play, making a 30-foot putt to force a playoff after his playing partner, Simon Moir, 18, of London, miraculously chipped in for eagle. Zylstra won on the third extra hole to claim the MJT Junior Boys Division title and Low Overall. “I just putted well,” said Zylstra. “Ball striking wasn’t great but I sunk many clutch putts. I am not working on anything, just a clear head, that’s all.”
Qualified Players:
The Road to the TPC Finale at TPC Toronto: Jack Zylstra and Jade Guo
Golf Ontario U15 Championship: Alexis Card and Brayden Card
Golf Ontario U17 Championship: Jade Guo and Charlie Volkins
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