Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada's #1 junior tour, teed off its Saskatchewan season in spectacular fashion with a full field of talented young golfers at the Estevan Woodlawn Golf Course in Estevan, this past weekend. The fierce wind whipped across the fairways, adding an exhilarating challenge to the junior golf tournament.

 

Low overall Girl and Boy were Ella Kozak, 18, of Yorkton, SK (72,81=153) and Zostrianos Giordani-Gross, 17, of Brandon, MB (76,31=149), who competed in the MJT Girls 15-19 and MJT Junior Boys divisions respectively. The other high-performing division winners with some great scoring for the two days were Yuna Lee, 14, of Regina, SK, in MJT Girls U15 (182), Jun Lee, 11, of Regina SK, in MJT Peewee Boys (143), Lucas Sturgeon, 14, of Saskatoon, SK, in MJT Bantam Boys (145), and Ethan Hunter, 14, of Casa Rio, SK, in MJT Juvenile Boys (150). 

 

Several juniors qualified for either direct exemptions or short-list consideration into high level competitions such as the PGA Tour Americas-affiliated MJT Future Stars presented by ATB, the East Coast Junior Championship, the FCG Callaway World Golf Championship, and the IMG Junior World Championship. Qualified players are noted below, along with the top finisher scores and winner quotes from each division.

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.

 

Next on the MJT Saskatchewan schedule is the three-day major ranked MJT Golf Saskatchewan Spring Classic at Elmwood Golf and Country Club in Swift Current, May 18-20. For more information, please visit the MJT website at www.maplejt.com.

 

 

1: Zostrianos Giordani-Gross (17), Brandon, MB | 76, 73 (149)         

2: Makstr McIntyre (17), Swift Current, SK | 78, 73 (151)      

3: Brayden Skene (16), Martensville, SK | 75, 76 (151)

 

Making the journey from Brandon, Manitoba, worth his while, Zostrianos Giordani-Gross, 17, emerged as winner of the Low Overall Boys score and MJT Junior Boys division, marking his second title of the 2024 season. “I feel good,” said Giordani-Gross, who has previously qualified for the MJT Future Stars presented by ATB but now adds a direct exemption into the FCG World Championship and shortlisted spot into the IMG Junior World Championships to his resume. “I trusted in God throughout the round to keep me focused while relaxed, and I am happy to come through with the win.”

 

1: Ethan Hunter (14), Casa Rio, SK | 73, 77 (150)       

2: Aricin Franklin (15), Saskatoon, SK | 79, 74 (153)   

3: Brady Guenther (16), Saskatoon , SK | 78, 78 (156)

 

Ethan Hunter, 14, of Casa Rio, SK, showcased his exceptional skills with an impressive back nine on day one, carding a birdie and an eagle to set up for ultimate victory in the MJT Juvenile Boys division. Hunter was the eligible qualifier for invitation to the MJT Future Stars presented by ATB in Edmonton this June, where the ultimate winner is exempt into the PGA Tour America’s ATB Classic. "I feel good and excited to have my first win at Estevan,” stated Hunter, who also qualified for the East Coast Junior Championship. Attributing his success to his driver, he said, ‘it definitely set me up for success.’

 

MJT Girls 15-19: Estevan Woodlawn: Par 72, Ydg 5742, Slope/Rating 133/75.3
1: Ella Kozak (18), Yorkton, SK | 72, 81 (153)  

2. Tayla Perry (15), Regina, SK | 80, 80 (160)

3. Chloe Wills (16), Kyle, SK | 82, 81 (163)

 

Ella Kozak, representing Yorkton, SK, won the MJT Girls 15-19 and Low Overall Girls titles after a strong opening round of 72 set her up for success. Kozal qualified for a direct exemption into the FCG World Championship and shortlisted spot into the IMG Junior World Championships. “I’m happy to be back,” she said, reflecting on her return to the competitive scene. "I feel good (about winning)."

 

1: Yuna Lee (14), Regina, SK | 93, 89 (182)
 

Lee, a fourteen-year-old from Regina, SK, came out to compete in the MJT Girls U15 division and fired 93-89 for a 182 total score, stating for the record, "I’d say my short game was pretty good." Lee also qualified for an age-specific direct exemption into the FCG World Championship and shortlisted spot into the IMG Junior World Championships

 

1: Lucas Sturgeon (14), Saskatoon, SK | 75, 70 (145)

2: Shae Maunula (14), North Battleford, SK | 73, 74 (147)    

3: Austin Nesbitt (12), Pilot Butte, SK | 78, 76 (154)

 

Saskatoon’s 14-year-old Lucas Sturgeon captured his divisional title with a remarkable performance, tallying an impressive 10 birdies for a two-stroke victory in the MJT Bantam Boys division. Sturgeon qualified for a direct exemption into the FCG World Championship and shortlisted spot into the IMG Junior World Championships, and shared, "I feel pretty good, I hit my driver well.” He also acknowledged his fellow competitors, stating, "it was a hard-fought battle."

 

1: Jun Lee (11), Regina, SK | 72, 71 (143)       

2: Keaton Kreklewich (12), Melville, SK | 77, 79 (156)            

3: Cooper Roberge (12), Lloydminster, AB | 91, 90 (181)

 

Eleven-year-old Jun Lee delivered an outstanding performance over the weekend, finishing with impressive scores of 72-71 to claim the MJT Peewee Boys title. Reflecting on his success, Lee remarked, that he ‘played good this week’ and is ‘feeling good’ about the start to the 2024 season in Saskatchewan. Lee also qualified for a direct exemption into the FCG World Championship and shortlisted spot into the IMG Junior World Championships.
 

MJT Future Stars presented by ATB: Ethan Hunter

East Coast Junior Championship: Ethan Hunter, Makstr McIntyre, Brayden Skene

 

Girls 13-14: Yuna Lee (Regina)

Girls15-18: Ella Kozak (Yorkton)

Boys 11-12: Jun Lee (Regina)

Boys 13-14: Lucas Sturgeon (Saskatoon)

Boys 15-18: Zostrianos Giordabi-Gross (Brandon, MB)

 

Girls 13-14: Yuna Lee (Regina)

Girls15-18: Ella Kozak (Yorkton)

Boys 11-12: Jun Lee (Regina)

Boys 13-14: Lucas Sturgeon (Saskatoon)

Boys 15-18: Zostrianos Giordani-Gross (Brandon, MB)

 

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