Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

May 20, 2023
Swift Current, SK

Future of the game in Saskatchewan is strong with almost 150 in Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Swift Current stop

Canada’s largest Junior Golf Tour saw record numbers once again this May long weekend with almost 150 young athletes participating in the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Swift Current stop, testimony to the successful growth of the game in Saskatchewan. Players were competing at Elmwood Golf and Country Club in either the Junior (U19) Tour three-day event on May 20 through 22, or in the Mini Tour (12U) event on May 20. Highlights of the latter event, in which close to 30 youth aged seven to 12 took part, are detailed below.

Keaton Kreklewich, 11, of Melville, SK, outplayed his fellow-competitors and won the Low Overall and MJT Boys 11-12 Division title, his second victory in as many starts this season.  “(The win) feels good, and it feels good to go back-to-back wins to start the season,” stated Kreklewich.  When asked what he could take away from this event, he said ‘when you just miss your putt, don’t get so frustrated at yourself.’

Caleb O’Brien, 9, of Melville, SK, played solid golf around the Elmwood course and held off his nearest rival for the win in the MJT Boys 9-10 Division.  “It feels great to win, I just realized it and did my best,” said O’Brien.  “My driving and putting led to my victory.”

Hudson Deibert, 8, of Regina, SK, won his second event in a row on the MJT Mini Tour, shooting lights out on the front nine and then bringing it home on the back to win the MJT Boys 8U Division title.  “My front nine helped me win,” said Deibert.  “(This win) helps me to get ready for the next tournament.”

Kayden Meyer, 12, of Swift Current, SK, had to remain focussed as the only participant in the MJT Girls 11-12 Division.  “This feels awesome, and I had a lot of fun,” said Meyer. “The experience was great and by practicing lots I will continue to improve.”

In a very tight battle, 10-year-old Alyxa Melsted of Wynyard, SK, made a par on the final hole to win the MJT Girls 9-10 Division title.  “I feel good, I had some bad shots and good shots,” stated Melsted.  “My drives were hitting the fairway and I had a strong front nine.”

Mae McTavish, 7, of Canora, SK, managed the challenging Elmwood track and won the MJT Girls 8U Division title.  “I feel very excited and happy (about the win)”, said McTavish.  “At the start I had butterflies in my stomach but now I feel more relaxed.”

Each division winner received an exemption into the MJT Mini Tour National Championship at Tsawwassen Springs GC in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, this August. Detailed results and quotes from the top finishers are noted below. For Closest to the Pin winners, please visit the MJT website here.

There are still openings in the next stop in the province, the MJT Mini Tour at Deer Valley Golf and Estates in Deer Valley, SK, on June 24, 2023 – register here. More information on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, including the entire 2023 schedule, can be found online at www.maplejt.com. 

Top Finishers

MJT Girls 8U: Elmwood G&CC Par 70, Ydg 3700

1 Mae McTavish, Canora, SK, F, 7                                           48-50 (98)

2 Makinlee McCrystal, Regina, SK, F                                       61-71 (132)

MJT Girls 9-10; Elmwood G&CC: Par 70, Ydg 3700

1 Alyxa Melsted, Wynyard, SK, F, 10                                       46-57 (103)

2 Lila Skeates, Calgary, AB, F, 9                                               48-56 (104)

3 Kensi Bourassa, Saskatoon, SK, F, 9                                     64-72 (136)

MJT Girls 11-12: Elmwood G&CC: Par 70, Ydg 3700

1 Kayden Meyer, Swift Current, SK, F, 12                               50-48 (98)

MJT Boys 8U: Elmwood G&CC: Par 70, Ydg 3700

1 Hudson Deibert, Regina, SK, M, 8                                        34-50 (84)

2 Jackson Orr, Corman Park, SK, M, 8                                     48-50 (98)

3 Raiden Rothenburger, Prince Albert, SK, M, 7                     53-64 (117)

MJT Boys 9-10: Elmwood G&CC: Par 70, Ydg 3700

1 Caleb O'Brien, Melville, SK, M, 9                                          41-44 (85)

2 Cohen Bridge, Corman Park, SK, M, 9                                  45-44 (89)

3 Halen McLean, Eston, SK, M, 9                                            52-47 (99)

MJT Boys 11-12: Elmwood G&CC: Par 70, Ydg 3700

1 Keaton Kreklewich, Melville, SK, M, 11                                36-38 (74)

2 Ryder Bourassa, Saskatoon, SK, M, 11                                 39-40 (79)

3 Thomas Pilon, Saskatoon, SK, M, 12                                    37-44 (81)

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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