Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

Over 100 talented young golfers from three provinces on Canada’s number one Junior Golf Tour gathered for the three-day, WAGR-ranked MJT Edge School Summer Classic on the storm-drenched Wingfield Golf Club in Calgary, AB, on August 6 through 8. Despite the wet conditions, some incredible scores were recorded during this final major event on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Alberta circuit. Six division titles and crucial MJT Order of Merit points were at stake, with players hoping to qualify for the season-ending MJT National Championship presented by adidas Golf at Orange Lake Golf Resort in FLA, USA, this November. The course’s significant undulation and dynamic shaping added an extra layer of challenge, making for an unforgettable golfing experience.
 

Brilliant scoring by 15-year-old Kali Yeske from Calgary, AB, who delivered an outstanding performance with a stellar round of 66 flanked by rounds of 77 and 69 (212), led to her capturing both the Low Overall and MJT Girls 15-19 titles. 

 

Intense competition for the Low Overall Boys Score saw three tie for the honours, with two players in MJT Junior Boys and one in MJT Juvenile Boys finishing all three rounds at 211 total score. It took a thrilling playoff between 17-year-olds Mateo Kern, (71, 69, 71), and Zaiden Dennis, (72, 74, 65), both from Calgary, AB, to determine the MJT Junior Boys winner. Kern sank an epic 30-foot putt to cap off his stellar performance and take the trophy.  Liam Czirjak, 15, from Rocky View County, AB, who shared the impressive low overall score of 211, won the MJT Juvenile Boys division (71, 69, 71).

 

Other outstanding performances led to division victories for Sela Ogada, 14, of Calgary, AB, in MJT Girls U15 (218), Jayden Popik, 14, from Sherwood Park, AB, in MJT Bantam Boys (208), and Erik Petersen,12, from Okotoks, AB, in MJT Peewee Boys (218). 

Top finisher scores and quotes from the division winners are noted below. For full tournament results, please visit the MJT website here; results from the Projekt/2UNDR Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points standings are posted here.
 

The next stop in the province is the MJT PLYR Series at Water Valley Golf Club in Water Valley, AB, August 26-27, 2024. For more information, please visit the MJT website at www.maplejt.com.
 

MJT Junior Boys: Round 1: Hangar/Hawk Nest: Par 72, Ydg 6654, Slope/Rating 121/71.0
Round 2: Hangar/Runway: Par 72, Ydg 6507, Slope/Rating 126/70.6
1. Mateo Kern (17), Calgary, AB | 71, 69, 71 (211) *Won Playoff 

2. Zaiden Dennis (17), Calgary, AB | 72, 74, 65 (211)

3. Desmond White (18), Calgary, AB | 69, 70, 73 (212)

Mateo Kern and Zaiden Dennis, both 17 and from Calgary, AB, found themselves in a high-stakes showdown after tying at 211. Kern brought the drama to a close in style, sinking a jaw-dropping 30-foot putt on the second extra hole to claim the title. "Physically, I prioritized my sleep, which I really enjoyed," noted Kern. "I ate and drank a lot more than I usually do on the course during my round." As for his mental game? "I try and deepen my relationship with God," Kern shared.

MJT Juvenile Boys: Round 1: Hangar/Hawk Nest: Par 72, Ydg 6654, Slope/Rating 121/71.0
Round 2: Hangar/Runway: Par 72, Ydg 6507, Slope/Rating 126/70.6
1. Liam Czirjak (15), Rocky View County, AB | 71, 69, 71 (211)

2. Matthew Keane (16), Calgary, AB | 69, 73, 72 (214)          

2. Jeffrey Langford (16), Edmonton, AB | 71, 69, 74 (214)

Fifteen-year-old Liam Czirjak from Rocky View County, AB, delivered an outstanding performance with impressive rounds of 71, 69, and 71. “I prepared by getting good rest and a solid warmup before each round,” commented Czirjak, showcasing his disciplined approach to the game. With this victory under his belt, Liam’s excitement for the rest of the season is palpable. “This win makes me excited for the rest of the season and to finish strong,” he added, ready to keep the momentum going.

MJT Bantam Boys: Round 1: Hangar/Hawk Nest: Par 72, Ydg 6206, Slope/Rating 116/69.0
Round 2: Hangar/Runway: Par 72, Ydg 6035, Slope/Rating 121/68.4

1. Jayden Popik (14), Sherwood Park, AB | 71, 69, 68 (208)

2. Jeevin Dhaliwal (14), Calgary, AB | 73, 72, 67 (212)           

2. Chase Strang (14), Airdrie, AB | 73, 69, 70 (212)

Jayden Popik, 14, from Sherwood Park, AB, fired off progressively better rounds of 71, 69, and an impressive 68 to secure a strong victory. “I worked a lot on my routine and made sure every shot counted,” Popik explained, revealing the secret to his remarkable consistency. With a laser-focused game plan and unwavering commitment, Jayden stuck to his routine shot after shot, proving that dedication and precision are a winning combination. 
 

MJT Peewee Boys: Round 1: Hangar/Hawk Nest: Par 72, Ydg 5299, Slope/Rating 111/67.0
Round 2: Hangar/Runway: Par 72, Ydg 4989, Slope/Rating 116/66.2

1. Erik Petersen (12), Okotoks, AB | 80, 68, 70 (218)

2. Oscar Gosgnach (11), Edmonton, AB | 75, 74, 76 (225)     

3. Harrison Wells (12), Edmonton, AB | 76, 81, 81 (238)

Twelve-year-old Erik Petersen from Okotoks, AB, is back on the podium with a triumphant finish. Despite a challenging first day, Petersen kept his cool and delivered a winning performance. “I was trying to stay calm after poor shots,” he shared. His resilience paid off in the end, and Petersen couldn't be more thrilled. “It feels great to win after a tough first day,” he added.

 

MJT Girls 15-19: Round 1: Hangar/Hawk Nest: Par 72, Ydg 5735, Slope/Rating 125/71.3
Round 2: Hangar/Runway: Par 72, Ydg 5543, Slope/Rating 124/71.3
1. Kali Yeske (15), Calgary, AB | 77, 66, 69 (212)        

2. Saylar May (15), Rocky Mountain House, AB | 72, 71, 71 (214)     

3. Emma Liu (17), Edmonton, AB | 81, 74, 74 (229)

Kali Yeske, 15, from Calgary, AB, delivered an exceptional second round, carding a blistering 66, six under par. "Remember to be committed to every shot," Yeske emphasized. Reflecting on her performance, she added, "It was great to see that I was able to complete a three-day tournament with an under-par total." Yeske's remarkable effort paid off as she secured the victory with a two-shot lead.

MJT Girls U15: Round 1: Hangar/Hawk Nest: Par 72, Ydg 5299, Slope/Rating 120/68.9
Round 2: Hangar/Runway: Par 72, Ydg 4989, Slope/Rating 118/68.6
1. Sela Ogada (14), Calgary, AB | 76, 71, 71 (218)      

2. Camilla Ruesga (12), Calgary, AB | 80, 76, 75 (231)            

3. Kaitlyn Joy (13), Calgary, AB| 85, 79, 85 (249)

Sela Ogada, a 14-year-old from Calgary, AB, carded consistent rounds on days two and three to decisively snag yet another trophy for her ever-growing collection. “I made sure to practice my putting because it can really make or break your round,” Ogada shared. Running away with the win, Sela’s confidence is now soaring. “This definitely builds my confidence, and hopefully, I’ll carry this momentum into future events,” she added.
 

About Edge School: Edge School is a unique learning community for children in Grades 4-12 to pursue academic excellence while striving to reach their full athletic potential. We accommodate the training requirements of a wide range of sports and disciplines and offer high-performance training in basketball, dance, figure skating, fitness, golf, hockey, and soccer. Edge also offers a training environment for student-athletes in sports (luge, equestrian, skiing, swimming, tennis, etc.) that require a flexible schedule to meet their needs. For more information, visit edgeschool.com.

 

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