Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

A great turnout of 140 young golfers, spanning both the MJT Junior (19U) and Mini Tour (12U), came out to compete in a popular Saskatchewan stop on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, Canada’s #1 Junior Tour, over the May long weekend, enduring freezing temperatures and intense winds at Elmwood Golf and Country Club in Swift Current. The Mini Tour for 12U ran on May 18; Junior Tour stop results are detailed below. 

 

This 54-hole World Amateur Golf Ranked-event, the MJT Golf Saskatchewan Spring Classic, ran May 18-20, and featured 114 participants vying for titles in six divisions, bonus MJT Order of Merit points and qualifying spots into the PGA Tour America’s-affiliated MJT Future Stars Invitational presented by ATB in Alberta, the East Coast Junior Championship in New Brunswick, and the World Stars Junior Golf Championship in Nevada, USA.  

 

An impressive closing round of 69 vaulted Chloe Wills, 16, from Kyle, SK, into the lead in MJT Girls 15-19, where she also won Low Overall Honours for the Girls divisions, joining Jalen Apedoe, 15, of Calgary, AB, who shot the Low Overall Boys score after firing outstanding rounds of 72, 72, 71 in MJT Juvenile Boys to finish at one-under-par in exceptionally tough conditions.

 

Other standout performances in the bone-chilling weather awarded division titles to Sela Ogada, 13, of Calgary, AB, in MJT Girls U15 (233), Oscar Gosgnach, 11, of Edmonton, AB, in MJT Peewee Boys (225), Chase Strang, 14, of Airdire, AB, in MJT Bantam Boys (220), and Parker Riou, 17, of Strathmore, AB, in MJT Junior Boys (226), who won in a playoff after fighting the closest race in the tournament. Each division winner was awarded a trophy along with a fabulous Titleist golf bag courtesy of Titleist Canada. 

 

Apedoe secured an invitation to the MJT Future Stars Invitational presented by ATB at Northern Bear Golf Club in Sherwood Park, AB, with his performance, where he has the chance to qualify for a direct exemption into the actual PGA TOUR America’s event at the same facility. Recipients of the other qualifying spots are highlighted below, along with the top finisher scores and quotes from each division winner. Results from the Projekt/2UNDR Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards and Academy Points standings, are posted online here. 

 

Next up on the MJT Saskatchewan schedule is the MJT Maui Jim Series at Wildwood Golf Course in Saskatoon, June 1-2, 2024. For more information, please visit the MJT website at www.maplejt.com. 
 

1. Sela Ogada (13), Calgary, AB | 76, 77, 80 (233)

2. Grace Odnokon (14), Saskatoon, SK | 80, 71, 83 (234)

3. Shylee Kostiuk (13), Spruce Grove, AB | 83, 84, 82 (249)

 

Fresh from securing a division win on the MJT Alberta circuit, 13-year-old Sela Ogada continued her streak by clinching the top spot in the MJT’s Saskatchewan stop at Elmwood with another MJT Girls U15 title. Reflecting on her performance, Ogada noted, "My driver was really good throughout the tournament."

 

1 Chloe Wills (16), Kyle, SK | 80, 79, 69 (228)

2. Niya Friesen (15), Swift Current, SK | 83, 79, 79 (241)

3. Jayla Kucy (18), Camrose, AB | 84, 83, 77 (244)

 

Chloe Wills, 16, from Kyle, SK, displayed consistent improvement throughout the weekend, culminating in a fantastic final round of three-under par, which vaulted her to victory in MJT Girls 15-19 along with the Low Overall title. "It feels really great. I’m very happy to shoot a new personal best in a tournament," said Wills. "I stayed calm and didn’t let my nerves get to me."

 

1. Oscar Gosgnach (11), Edmonton, AB | 74, 72, 79 (225)

2. Jun Lee (11), Regina, SK | 76, 73, 85 (234)

3. Kellen Hunter (11), Casa Rio, SK | 92, 94, 97 (283)

 

Edmonton’s 11-year-old Oscar Gosgnach joined the list of winners heading back to Alberta after taking the MJT Peewee Boys title. Showing remarkable prowess from the outset, Gosgnach's strong start laid the foundation for his lead. Reflecting on his performance, he credits the shape his game was in before the event, stating, "I’m happy it held up."

 

1. Chase Strang (14), Airdrie, AB | 77, 73, 70 (220)   

2. Jayden Arnold (13), Calgary, AB | 74, 75, 73 (222)

3. Austin Nesbitt (12), Pilot Butte, SK | 75, 73, 75 (223)        

3. Jayden Popik (14), Sherwood Park, AB | 74, 73, 76 (223)
 

In the MJT Bantam Boys Division, Chase Strang, 14, of Airdrie, AB, was solid all weekend, putting together three good rounds in tough conditions to win the title. Reflecting on his bounce back, Strang noted, “It feels amazing coming back from three shots down.”

 

1. Jalen Apedoe (15), Calgary, AB | 72, 72, 71 (215)  

2. Aricin Franklin (15), Saskatoon, SK  | 80, 77, 72 (229)        

3. Lyndon Kuryvial (16), Taber, AB | 79, 77, 75 (231)

With an impressive tally of six birdies and three eagles, Jalen Apedoe from Calgary, AB, raked in both the MJT Juvenile Boys and Low Overall titles. “I am very grateful and happy to have won the event this weekend,” Apedoe stated. “I have put a lot of work into my game recently to get prepared for the season, and I am excited to have my game in the place it’s at this early in the year.”
 

1. Parker Riou (17), Strathmore, AB | 76, 73, 77 (226) *Won in playoff
2. Zaiden Dennis (17), Calgary, AB | 75, 77, 74 (226)

3. Daniel Boyle (17), Edmonton, AB | 74, 78, 75 (227)           

3. Darien Herlick (18), Weyburn, SK | 75, 75, 77 (227)           

3. Owen Bruins (16), Medicine Hat, AB | 75, 69, 83 (227)

 

In the tightest race to the top, the MJT Junior Boys division had five players within one stroke of each other, ending in a tie for first place after three rounds of play between 17-year-old Parker Riou of Strathmore, AB, and Zaiden Dennis, also 17, from Calgary, AB. Riou clinched the victory after a two-hole playoff. “I feel thrilled to have held off the competition in the wind and the cold temperatures,” said Riou. This win was extra special for Riou, who was playing for his grandmother: “I won for her!” he added.

Qualified Players:

MJT Future Stars presented by ATB: Jalen Apedoe

East Coast Junior Championship: Sela Ogada, Chloe Wills, Chase Strang, Jalen Apedoe, Parker Riou

World Stars Junior Golf Championship: Grace Odnokon, Niya Friesen, Oscar Gosgnach, Jayden Arnold, Aricin Franklin, Zaiden Dennis
 

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