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The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA ProfessionalsPress Release
May 19-20, 2024
Winnipeg, MB
Juniors overcome challenging weather conditions in MJT Zeal Series at St. Boniface
Over the May long weekend, 80 juniors on the Manitoba circuit of the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) came out to compete in either a Junior or Mini Tour stop, battling strong winds and wet conditions. The MJT Mini Tour stop at Maplewood Golf Course in St. Pierre Jolys on May 18 saw winds reaching up to 78 km per hour, forcing the tournament to be cut short after just nine holes. Tough weather persisted for the MJT Zeal Series tournament for U19 held at St. Boniface Golf Club in Winnipeg on May 19 and 20, testing the mettle of the resilient and skilled competitors. Results from this two-day tournament, where each division winner was rewarded with a stylish pair of Zeal sunglasses, are highlighted here.
In the MJT Junior Tour Girls Divisions, 17-year-old India Young from Carman, MB, captured both the Low Overall honors and the MJT Girls 15-19 title with steady scores of 84, 81=165. There was a tie for Low Overall score in the Boys divisions between Austin Boge, 18, from Winnipeg, MB, in MJT Junior Boys, and Hudson Hunnie, 15, of Winnipeg, in MJT Juvenile Boys, after both carded identical rounds of 77-73 (150). Each player received an exemption into the PGA TOUR America’s-affiliated MJT Future Stars Invitational presented by ATB at Northern Bear Golf Club in Sherwood Park, AB, this June.
Other top performing division winners were Maisy Shewchuk, 11, of Winnipeg, MB, in MJT Girls U15 (183), Grant Secord, 12, from La Salle, MB, in the MJT Peewee Boys (177), Ryder St. Laurent, 13, from Île Des Chênes, MB, in the MJT Bantam Boys Division (157), and MJT Juvenile Boys winner, Hudson Hunnie, 15, of Winnipeg, MB, (150). Each division winner automatically qualified for the East Coast Junior Championship in Moncton, NB, this July
Top finisher scores and quotes from the division winners are noted below, along with the list of qualified players. Results from the Projekt/2UNDR Long Drive, PLYR Closest to the Pin, Booster Juice BounceBack Awards, and Academy Points standings, are posted here; for full tournament results, please visit the MJT website here.
The next stop in the province is the MJT Maui Jim Series at Transcona Golf Club, in Winnipeg, MB, June 22-23, 2024. For more information, please visit the MJT website at www.maplejt.com.
Top Finishers
MJT Girls U15: St. Boniface: Par 72, Ydg 5719, Slope/Rating 130/73.2
1. Maisy Shewchuk (11), Winnipeg, MB | 87, 96 (183)
Maisy Shewchuk, 11, from Winnipeg, MB, came out to compete in the MJT Girls U15 division and kept the ball in play with her driver to shoot 87, 96 in challenging weather. “My drives and long shots stood out for me,” said Shewchuk.
MJT Girls 15-19: St. Boniface: Par 72, Ydg 5719, Slope/Rating 130/73.2
1. India Young (17), Carman, MB | 84, 81 (165)
2. Gracie McMillan (16), Oakbank, MB | 87, 95 (182)
3. Keira Krahn (17), Carman, MB | 88, 95 (183)
India Young, 17, from Carman, MB, played steady golf to win both the MJT Girls U15 Division and Low Overall titles. “I’m happy that I was able to play solid today,” said Young, who carded two birdies on the back nine in round one. “I was able to keep my tee shots in the fairway, giving me birdie chances.”
MJT Peewee Boys: St. Boniface: Par 72, Ydg 5719, Slope/Rating 119/67.9
1. Grant Secord (12), La Salle, MB | 91, 86 (177)
2. Ty Montour (10), Oakville, MB | 92, 88 (180)
3. Jackson Kippen (10), Winnipeg, MB | 98, 98 (196)
Grant Secord, 12, the 2023 MJT Manitoba Order of Merit winner, added another victory to his growing resume by clinching the MJT Peewee Boys title. Demonstrating remarkable perseverance in round two, Secord remarked, "It felt good to win because in the middle of the second round I was down by four strokes, but I came back and won."
MJT Bantam Boys: St. Boniface: Par 72, Ydg 6104, Slope/Rating 127/69.6
2. Hunter Oakden (13), Brandon, MB | 80, 85 (165)
3. Rhett Dyck (12), Morden, MB | 92, 88 (180)
In the MJT Bantam Boys Division, Ryder St. Laurent, 13, from Île Des Chênes, MB, set the pace from the outset of the event. Reflecting on his victory, St. Laurent said, "It feels good to come out on top. Everyone played well, and I had to hit the right spots to win."
MJT Juvenile Boys: St. Boniface: Par 72, Ydg 6348, Slope/Rating 127/70.7
1. Hudson Hunnie (15), Winnipeg, MB | 77, 73 (150)
2. Adam Blair (16), Winnipeg, MB | 75, 78 (153)
2. Gavin Carver (15), La Salle, MB | 74, 79 (153)
Hudson Hunnie, 15, of Winnipeg, MB, showcased his skills with an impressive front nine on day two, carding two birdies to set up for ultimate victory in the MJT Juvenile Boys division and an exemption into the MJT Future Stars Invitational presented by ATB. "(I feel) excited to start off the year with a win,” stated Hunnie, who also qualified for the East Coast Junior Championship.
MJT Junior Boys: St. Boniface: Par 72, Ydg 6348, Slope/Rating 127/70.7
1. Austin Boge (18), Winnipeg, MB | 77, 73 (150)
2. Payne Wood (17), Winnipeg, MB | 76, 76 (152)
3. Spencer Malbranck- Nuytten (18), Winnipeg, MB | 81, 76 (157)
MJT veteran, Austin Boge, 18, of Winnipeg, MB, delivered a strong performance in the second round, firing a 73 to come from behind and win the MJT Junior Boys title. This impressive play secured him joint Low Overall honours with Hunnie (in Juvenile Boys) as well as the MJT Future Stars Invitational exemption.
Qualified Players:
MJT Future Stars presented by ATB: Hudson Hunnie and Austin Boge
East Coast Junior Championship: Austin Boge, Hudson Hunnie, Ryder St. Laurent, Grant Secord, India Young, Maisy Shewchuk
World Stars Junior Golf Championship: Gracie McMillan, Hunter Oakden, Adam Blair, Gavin Carver, Payne Wood
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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.