Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

Over 100 junior golfers descended from four provinces upon the stunning 27-hole Links-style championship Moon Lake Golf and Country Club in Saskatoon, SK, July 29-30, for the finale in the multi-stop MJT Zeal Series on Canada’s number one Junior Golf Tour. In beautiful weather amid a picturesque setting, this Maple Leaf Junior Tour event proved to be an electrifying conclusion to the five tournaments in the national Zeal Series. 

 

The young golfers peppered the challenging fairways of Moon Lake with birdies in a showcase of skill and determination. Low overall honours for Boys and Girls respectively went to Brady Guenther, 16, of Saskatoon, SK, in MJT Juvenile Boys (69, 75=144) and Grace Odnokon, 14, of Saskatoon, SK, in MJT Girls U15 (74, 72=146). Other leading performances led to division titles for Dane Giesbrecht, 16, from Warman, SK, in MJT Junior Boys (147), Tayla Perry, 15, from Regina, SK, in MJT Girls 15-19 (164), Shae Maunula, 14, of North Battleford, SK, in MJT Bantam Boys (146), and Keaton Kreklewich, 12, of Melville, SK, in MJT Peewee Boys (154).

 

Top finisher scores and quotes from each division winner, who each received a stylish pair of Zeal sunglasses, follow 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 Elk Ridge Resort in Waskesiu, SK, August 10-11, 2024. For more information, please visit the MJT website at www.maplejt.com.

 

MJT Junior Boys: Moon Lake: Par 72, Ydg 6209, Slope/Rating 126/70.5

1. Dane Giesbrecht (16), Warman, SK | 73, 74 (147)

2. Hudson Heistad (17), Avonlea, SK | 72, 78 (150)

3. Makstr McIntyre (17), Swift Current, SK | 74, 77 (151)

Sixteen-year-old Dane Giesbrecht from Warman, SK, snagged his first MJT Junior Boys win of the season at the MJT Zeal Series finale. Giesbrecht shared his strategy: "I prepared by coming to the course in a proper mental state and bringing enough water to get through my round." 

 

1. Brady Guenther (16), Saskatoon, SK | 69, 75 (144)

2. Aricin Franklin (15), Saskatoon, SK | 68, 77 (145)   

3. Lincoln Rogers (16), Prince Albert, SK | 70, 77 (147)

Brady Guenther, 16, from Saskatoon, SK, lit up the scoreboard with an awe-inspiring nine birdies, finishing the first round at three under par, setting himself up for victory in MJT Juvenile Boys along with the Low Overall title. His secret? "I focused on the process, stuck to my routine, and hit fairways coming down the closing stretch," said Guenther. Reflecting on the tournament, he added, "I would rate this a 10/10. The course was in really good shape, and I played well." 

 

1. Shae Maunula (14), North Battleford, SK | 70, 76 (146)

2. Matty Schmiess (14), Swift Current, SK | 73, 74 (147)       

3. Hunter Oakden (13), Brandon, MB | 74, 74 (148)

Shae Maunula, a 14-year-old from North Battleford, SK, turned heads by carding a jaw-dropping six birdies and two eagles, finishing the first round at two under par which helped clinch the MJT Bantam Boys title. When asked about his strategy for success, Maunula revealed, "I stay focused by keeping my eye on the prize and just try my best to keep as calm as possible." 

 

1. Keaton Kreklewich (12), Melville, SK | 80, 74 (154)            

2. Emmett McDougall (12), Prince Albert, SK | 86, 81 (167)  

3. Dalton Stephens (12), Craik, SK | 85, 84 (169)

Twelve-year-old Keaton Kreklewich from Melville, SK, delivered a strong performance in his second round to take the win in MJT Peewee Boys, proving that practice—and a little help from dad—makes perfect. "My dad's been helping me with my routine to stay calm and focused. He also helped me with some deep breathing to relax," Kreklewich explained. With his first-ever Junior Tour win under his belt, Kreklewich couldn't be more thrilled: "It feels good to win one!"

MJT Girls 15-19: Moon Lake: Par 72, Ydg 5147, Slope/Rating 122/70.3
1. Tayla Perry (15), Regina, SK | 84, 80 (164)

2. Ino Li (17), Saskatoon, SK | 85, 85 (170)     

3. Poppy Hudye (15), White Rock, BC | 90, 89 (179)  

3. Claire Kosolofski (15), Kindersley, SK | 84, 95 (179)

Tayla Perry, 15, from Regina, SK, showcased her hard work and dedication on the green, winning the MJT Girls 15-19 title. "I prepared for this tournament by having a lesson with my coach and practicing my short game a lot," she shared, proving that precision pays off. With a solid performance under her belt, Perry declared, "It was a good confidence booster, and my plan is to take a little break from tournament play to enjoy my vacation."

 

1. Grace Odnokon (14), Saskatoon, SK | 74, 72 (146)

2. Miranda Merriman (14), La Ronge, SK | 98, 103 (201)       

3. Kayden Meyer (13), Swift Current, SK | 109, 106 (215)

Fourteen-year-old Grace Odnokon from Saskatoon, SK, is on a roll, clinching her third MJT Girls U15 victory of the season. With a whopping eight birdies, Odnokon dominated the MJT Girls U15 division plus won Low Overall for the Girls divisions. "This means a lot, like every win," she said, "I just focus on my own game." 

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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