Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 29-30, 2023
Barrie, ON

Joyce and Vescan scoop low overall MJT boy and girl honours at Settler’s Ghost

The past weekend of July 29 and 30 saw Canada’s number-one played junior golf tour make a stop at Settler’s Ghost Golf Club in Barrie, ON, another new venue on the expanding MJT Ontario schedule.  The weekend started with heavy rain but turned into blue skies before the players teed off in six age divisions on the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour.  Every competitor received an adidas hoody tee gift and vied for fantastic prizes plus MJT Order of Merit points towards qualification into the MJT National Championship at The Wigwam Golf Resort in Litchfield Park, Arizona, this November.  

As the heavy rain turned into perfect conditions for scoring on the beautifully-manicured Settler’s Ghost course, Robert (Cooper) Joyce, 16, of Etobicoke, ON, posted two impressive rounds (72-71) in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division and finished at one-under for the weekend for the win and low overall boys score. Gracie Vescan, 13, of Mississauga, ON, shot a solid 78 on the first day in the MJT Girls U15 Division and held on for the win and low overall girls score.  Other highlights included MJT newcomers Gerry Kou, 11, of Markham, ON, and Ella Woo, 16, of Etobicoke, ON, breaking through for their first wins in MJT Peewee Boys and Girls 15-19 respectively, Ben Julie, 14, Fenwick, ON, posting a six-shot victory in MJT Bantam Boys and Sadiq Habib, 17, of Richmond Hill, carding a 69 on the final day to come from behind for his first victory in MJT Junior Boys.

Scores from the top finishers and 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 on the MJT website here.

The next event in the province is the major MJT -Team TaylorMade Championship (East) at The Club at Bond Head in Beeton, ON, on August 12-13 – players can register here for the waiting list.  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: Settler's Ghost GC: Par 72, Ydg 5362, Slope/Rating 125/69.6

1 Gracie Vescan, Mississauga, ON, F, 13                                             78-92 (170)

2 Danica Suckert, Cambridge, ON, F, 13                                             97-89 (186)

3 Emma Hsiung, Markham, ON, F, 13                                                  94-94 (188)

Gracie Vescan, 13, of Mississauga, ON, broke through for her first win of 2023, posting an amazing 78 on the first day and holding on for the win in the MJT Girls U15 Division.  “It feels good to have my first win of the season,” said Vescan.  “I kept grinding and never gave up.”

MJT Girls 15-19: Settler's Ghost GC: Par 72, Ydg 5362, Slope/Rating 125/69.6

1 Ella Woo, Etobicoke, ON, F, 16                                                           85-87 (172)

2 Riya Sood, Oakville, ON, F, 17                                                            105-96 (201)

3 Madison Howell, Guelph, ON, F, 16                                                 107-112 (219)

The MJT Girls 15-19 Division title went to Ella Woo, 16, of Etobicoke, ON, who posted solid rounds amid tough conditions.  “It feels really great,” said Woo. “This is my second tournament this season and I was really proud with how I played.  I practiced a lot and I think it paid off.”

MJT Peewee Boys: Settler's Ghost GC: Par 72, Ydg 5362, Slope/Rating 117/65.1

1 Gerry Kou, Markham, ON, M, 11                                                       75-77 (152)

2 Thomas Tsepelis, Whitby, ON, M, 12                                               85-78 (163)

3 Max Sue, Markham, ON, M, 10                                                          92-80 (172)

First time winner in the MJT Peewee Boys Division was 11-year-old Gerry Kou of Markham, ON, who posted two great rounds in the 70’s for a resounding victory.  “It feels good,” said Kou.  “I was just trying to make par coming down the stretch.”

MJT Bantam Boys: Settler's Ghost GC: Par 72, Ydg 5929, Slope/Rating 125/67.4

1 Ben Julie, Fenwick, ON, M, 14                                                            72-73 (145)

2 David Kowalewski, Barrie, ON, M, 14                                               78-73 (151)

3 Kieran Small, Uxbridge, ON, M, 13                                                    74-78 (152)

Coming off a runner-up finish last week was Ben Julie, 14, of Fenwick, ON, who played steady golf to triumph in the MJT Bantam Boys Division title by six strokes.  “I was just trying to play one shot at a time and make pars,” said Julie.  “This is my first win on the MJT and it feels great!”

MJT Juvenile Boys: Settler's Ghost GC: Par 72, Ydg 6345, Slope/Rating 133/69.3

1 Robert (Cooper) Joyce, Etobicoke, ON, M, 16                                 72-71(143)

2 Spencer Shropshire, Ramara, ON, M, 15                                           75-70 (145)

3 Adley Abols, Toronto, ON, M, 16                                                         78-71 (149)

Robert (Cooper) Joyce, 16, of Etobicoke, ON, fired a one-under total of 143 for Low Overall honours, winning the MJT Juvenile Boys Division title by two strokes.  “It feels great, I put in a lot of work in the week before so it’s nice for that to pay off,” said Joyce.

MJT Junior Boys: Settler's Ghost GC: Par 72, Ydg 6345, Slope/Rating 133/69.3

1 Sadiq Habib, Richmond Hill, ON, M, 17                                            79-69 (148)

2 Gabe Tovell, Campbellville, ON, M, 18                                             74-75 (149)

2 Matthew Brooks, Halifax, NS, M, 17                                                 73-76 (149)

The MJT Junior Boys Division title was won by 17-year-old Sadiq Habib of Richmond Hill, ON, who carded the only round in the 60’s this week in an impressive comeback for his first win.  “It feels fantastic!” said Habib.  “From 79 to 69 felt unbelievable.  I gotta give a quick shout out to Sam and Harrison (playing partners).”

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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