Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

July 9, 2023
Fenwick, ON

MJT Mini Tour playoff win for Wang at Sawmill; four qualify for Nationals

The Ontario Mini Tour (12U) circuit of the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Mini Tour, Canada’s number-one played junior tour, teed it up at Sawmill Golf Course in Fenwick, Ontario, on July 9 for the fourth stop of the season.  Players were competing for titles in five divisions plus the chance to qualify for the season-ending MJT Mini Tour National Championship in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, this August.

The players were excited to play the Sawmill Golf Course, a new venue on the MJT Mini Tour circuit, as it was in fantastic shape and a treat to play. Top finisher results and quotes from the winners are noted below, while Closest to the Pin results are noted on the MJT website here.  Low overall titles in Boys and Girls divisions respectively went to Bruce Wang, 10, of Markham, ON, who tapped in for par on the first playoff hole to win the MJT Boys 11-12 Division title, and Grace (HyunYi) Kim, 11, of Burlington, ON, in the MJT Girls 11-12 Division.  Both Kim and Wang earned invitations into the MJT Mini Tour National Championship.

The next stop in the province is the MJT Mini Tour at Beaverdale Golf Club in Cambridge, ON, July 24, 2023 – there is still room, so players can register here.  For more information on Canada’s number one-played Junior Golf Tour, including details of the entire 2023 MJT Mini Tour schedule, please visit the website.

Top Finishers

MJT Girls 8U: Sawmill: Par 72, Ydg 3000, Slope/Rating 0/0.0

1 Lanai Park, Oakville, ON, F, 7                                                                          45-41 (86)

2 Abigail Steinmetz, Waterloo, ON, F, 8                                                          47-45 (92)

3 Cassandra Smith, Brampton, ON, F, 8                                                          47-52 (99)

Lanai Park, 7, of Oakville, ON, won her fourth event in as many tries, defeating her nearest rival by six shots to earn top spot in the MJT 8U Girls Division.  “It feels great,” said Park.  “I hit a good drive on the last hole.”

MJT Girls 9-10: Sawmill: Par 72, Ydg 4405, Slope/Rating 118/68.2

1 Sophia Noh, Richmond Hill, ON, F, 9                                                             46-38 (84)

2 Amanda Zhang, Richmond Hill, ON, F, 10                                                    46-39 (85)

3 Aaliyah Patterson, Toronto, ON, F, 10                                                           55-45 (100)

Sophia Noh, 9, of Richmond Hill, ON, has won back-to-back titles in the MJT Girls 9-10 Division at Sawmill GC.  “It feels fantastic,” said Noh.  “I felt nervous and I felt really good about how I played.”

MJT Girls 11-12: Sawmill: Par 72, Ydg 4405, Slope/Rating 118/68.2

1 Grace (HyunYi) Kim, Burlington, ON, F, 11                                                   38-41 (79)

2 Mirela Boras, Burlington, ON, F, 11                                                                45-40 (85)

Low overall and the MJT Girls 11-12 Division title was won by Grace (HyunYi) Kim, 11, of Burlington, ON, who played solid to edge out her fellow competitor.  “It feels great to win this weekend because I actually thought I had no chance today,” said Kim.  “My mindset was to have fun and forget the bad holes.”

MJT Boys 9-10: Sawmill: Par 72, Ydg 4405, Slope/Rating 118/68.2

1 Derek Zhao, Maple, ON, M, 9                                                                      38-38 (76)

2 Adam DiBernardo, Scarborough, ON, M, 10                                           39-39 (78)

3 Jax Vescan, Mississauga, ON, M, 9                                                             41-38(79)

The Boys 9-10 Division title was won by Derek Zhao, 9, of Maple, ON, who shot back-to-back 38’s to earn the victory.  “It feels good!  I just wanted to play my game and not think about winning,” said Zhao. 

MJT Boys 11-12: Sawmill: Par 71, Ydg 5189, Slope/Rating 119/65.6

1 Bruce Wang, Markham, ON, M, 10                                                              44-39(83) Won Playoff

1 Jack Vitiello, St. Catherines, ON, M, 12                                                     43-40 (83)

3 Dustin Zhao, Maple, ON, M, 11                                                                    39-46 (85)

Bruce Wang, 10, of Markham, ON, made a solid par on the first playoff hole to win the MJT Boys 11-12 Division title over Jack Vitiello of St. Catherines, ON.  “I didn’t hit it well on the back nine,” said Wang. “I only thought about having fun as my mood was bad.”

Qualifiers*:

MJT Mini Tour National Championship at Tsawwassen Springs GC (spot defaults to next highest-ranked player if winner is already exempt): Bruce Wang (Markham), Derek Zhao (Maple), Mirela Boras (Burlington), Abigail Steinmetz (Waterloo)

*Subject to meeting MJT scoring requirement

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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