Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

Over 90 youth came out to participate in Ford-sponsored events on the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s number one Junior Golf Tour, in Kamloops, British Columbia, from July 15-17, in either a free junior clinic sponsored by Dearborn Ford, or a two-day elite tournament, the MJT Ford Series at Rivershore Golf Links.  Players in the tournament were competing for titles in five divisions, the chance to win a new Ford Escape with a hole-in-one, and the opportunity to be short-listed for both MJT Team Canada to the Jack Newton International Junior Classic in New South Wales, Australia, in October, and the National Team Challenge in Fenwick, ON, this September. Results of the tournament, which featured incredible scores, a three-way playoff and more, are detailed below.

 

The reigning BC U19 Boys Champion, Austin Krahn, 16, of Christina Lake, BC, was on fire, blazing his way around the Rivershore course with back-to-back 67’s to finish at 10-under par (-10) for Low Overall and the MJT Junior Boys title. Krahn, who blitzed the golf course with 12 birdies over the two days, hopes to continue his incredible play at the MJT’s Okanagan Golf Club stop in Kelowna later this week before representing MJT Team BC in the Junior America’s Cup in Utah right after.  

 

A fantastic pair of 74’s led to the Low Overall Girl/MJT Girls 15-19 title going to 16-year-old Zhehui (Hui) Yu of Burnaby, BC. Other notable performances resulting in division wins were recorded by Carsen Haddock, 12, of Kamloops, BC, in MJT Peewee Boys (169), Haarjun Lotay, 13, of Burnaby, BC, in MJT Bantam Boys (149), and Christopher Thomson, 16, of Kelowna, BC, in MJT Juvenile Boys (157), who won in a three-way playoff on the first extra hole.

 

Top finisher scores, quotes from the division winners, and the list of qualified players are noted below. Results from the London Drugs Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points can be found here.  

 

The next stop in the province is the MJT BC Order of Merit Series at Okanagan Golf Club in Kelowna on July 18-19.  For more information, please visit the website at www.maplejt.com. 

 

1 Zhehui (Hui) Yu, Burnaby, BC, F, 16                                                  74-74 (148)

2 Darwyn Kormany, Kelowna, BC, F, 17                                              88-83 (171)

3 Poppy Hudye, White Rock, BC, F, 15                                                91-84 (175)

 

The MJT Girls 15-19 Division title was won by Zhehui (Hui) Yu, 16, of Burnaby, BC, her first win on the 2024 circuit.  “I was focused on each individual stroke rather than my total score,” said Yu of her strategy for the event.  “I was prepared and relaxed for these two days of fun.”

 

1 Carsen Haddock, Kamloops, BC, M, 12                                            80-89 (169)

2 Hunter Brandt, Langley, BC, M, 11                                                   103-111 (214)

 

Local talent Carson Haddock, 12, of Kamloops, BC, played steady golf in the heat to claim the MJT Peewee Boys Division title.  “I always like to think of a calm environment and swing smoothly before the round,” said Haddock.  “I try to think of something happy and of breathing.”

 

1 Haarjun Lotay, Burnaby, BC, M, 13                                                   77-72 (149)

2 Luke Traverse, Revelstoke, BC, M, 14                                              74-80 (154)

3 Dylan Pandher, Delta, BC, M, 13                                                       80-84 (164)

 

MJT veteran, Haarjun Lotay, 13, of Burnaby, BC, posted a final round of even par to walk away with the MJT Bantam Division title.  Trailing the first round leader by three shots, Lotay’s even par on the final day sealed the deal.  “I always try to deep breathe if I was going through pressure,” said Lotay. “This win proves I can play with the top players in BC.”

 

1 Christopher Thomson, Kelowna, BC, M, 16                                  80-77 (157) Won Playoff

2 Eshaun Grewal, Kelowna, BC, M, 15                                                81-76 (157)

2 Josh Tatton, Golden, BC, M, 16                                                        80-77 (157)

 

There was a three-way tie for the lead in the fiercely competitive MJT Juvenile Boys Division at 157 total score between Christopher Thomson, 16, of Kelowna, BC, Eshuan Grewal, 15, of Kelowna, BC, and Josh Tatton, 16, of Golden, BC, before Thomson make a solid par on the first extra hole for victory.  “I wasn’t really thinking about much until the playoff,” said Thomson.  “On the first playoff hole all I wanted to do was make a four.”

 

1 Austin Krahn, Christina Lake, BC, M, 16                                           67-67 (134)

2 Max Hager, Kelowna, BC, M, 18                                                         69-78 (147)

3 Mitchell Krahn, Christina Lake, BC, M, 18                                       73-75 (148)

 

British Columbia’s current U19 Champion Austin Krahn, 16, of Christina Lake, BC, finished the two days at ten-under par (-10) to add another trophy to his impressive mantle, claiming Low Overall honours and MJT Boys Junior Division title.  Making 12 birdies over the two days, Krahn down-played just how hot a streak he is on.  “I have been playing well lately,” said Krahn.  “I try to trust and commit to every shot, no matter where the last shot went.  I knew that I have been hitting it good lately, so just needed to trust it (his swing).”

 

MJT Team Canada to Australia (JNJG International Junior Classic): Austin Krahn and Brody Brook

MJT National Team Challenge: Austin Krahn and Zhehui (Hui) Yu

 

About Ford Canada: Ford of Canada and the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) are proud to continue with the successful MJT Ford Go Golf! Junior Clinics - an initiative that introduces golf for free to young people, teaching them a game they can benefit from their entire lives. Many thousands of kids have participated in this program since 2006. Clinics have been held in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan where participating Ford Dealers offer free MJT Ford Go Golf! Junior Clinics conducted by PGA of Canada Professionals to children in their community. Ford and the Ford Dealers Association wish to support amateur sport in their communities by introducing children to golf, encouraging them to learn the fundamentals, and rewarding them for their efforts. www.ford.ca

 

About the MJT: The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is Canada’s #1 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 partners across various tiers, including Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels. The MJT hosts more than 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:  Jessica Parker, marketing@maplejt.com 
Marketing Manager, MJT