Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

Royal Niagara Golf Club in Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario, a "must play" course of international standing, was host to Canada’s number one Junior Golf Tour, the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, on May 18-19. The two-day tournament also served as a qualifier for three major events: the PGA Tour America’s-affiliated MJT Future Stars presented by ATB in Sherwood Park, AB, the East Coast Junior Championship in Moncton, NB, and the Golf Ontario U17 Championship. Solid scores showcased the talent of up-and-coming Canadian golfing talent across all six age divisions. 

 

Despite fog delays to start both days, weather conditions turned out to be exceptional in the end, and the perfectly conditioned course challenged players for two days of great golf. Tristan Zhang, 16, of Toronto, ON, clinched Low Overall and the MJT Junior Boys Division Title with an impressive six stroke lead (70,76=146). Zhang receives an exemption into the MJT Future Stars and Golf Ontario U17 Championship as a result. 

 

In the Girls Divisions, 16-year-old Grace Mayer, of Cobourg, ON, won Low Overall honours and the MJT Girls 15-19 Division title (81,74=155), securing her Golf Ontario U17 Championship exemption. A notable performance by Dawson Dermatas, 15, of St. Catharines, ON, in the MJT Juvenile Boys Division, saw him secure an exciting first win on the MJT after a playoff with co-leader, Josh Ye, 15, of Markham, ON, ended in Dermatas’ favour on the first extra hole.

 

Other top performing division winners were Justin Chu, 14, of North York, ON, in MJT Bantam Boys (144), Evelyn Li, 14, of Mississauga, ON, in MJT Girls U15 (163), and Gerry Kou, 12, from Markham, ON, in MJT Peewee Boys (158). Each division winner automatically qualified for the East Coast Junior Championship. 

 

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. Top finisher scores and quotes from division winners are featured below.

 

Next on the MJT Ontario schedule is the MJT adidas Golf Series at Tarandowah Golfers Club in Springfield on May 25-26, another event with great qualifying opportunities such as for MJT Team Canada to Australia this October, and the National Team Challenge at Sawmill Golf Club in Fenwick, ON, this September. For more information on the MJT, please visit the website at www.maplejt.com. 

 

 

1. Evelyn Li (14), Mississauga, ON | 83, 80 (163)        

2. Krisline Truong (13), Mississauga, ON | 81, 86 (167)          

3. Emma Hsiung (13), Markham, ON | 86, 96 (182)
 

Evelyn Li, a 14-year-old talent from Mississauga, secured the MJT Girls U15 title with an impressive four stroke victory. When speaking about her performance, Li stated, “I had a couple of bad holes, but also had some great ones.” She continued, “My long game and putting were pretty strong today.” 

 

1. Grace Mayer (16), Cobourg, ON | 81, 74 (155)      

2. Ziqing (Judy) Lin (16), Markham, ON | 79, 82 (161)           

3. Rachel Sidor (19), Stouffville, ON | 94, 84 (178)
 

Grace Mayer, 16, from Cobourg, ON, claimed victory in the MJT Girls 15-19 division with a remarkable six-stroke lead, winning low overall Girl’s score. Reflecting on her pre-tournament mindset, Mayer shared, “I thought about going into it with a clear mind and reminding myself that I am a good player.” Thrilled with her performance, she described feeling ‘amazing’ and credited her fellow competitors for making the event so enjoyable.

 

MJT Peewee Boys: Royal Niagara: Par 72, Ydg 5307, Slope/Rating 121/67.4
1. Gerry Kou (12), Markham, ON | 79, 79 (158)         

2. Chi-Shen Lin (12), Toronto, ON | 79, 80 (159)        

3. Max Sue (11), Markham, ON | 84, 78 (162)
 

Twelve-year-old Gerry Kou from Markham, ON, showcased his golfing prowess by securing his second consecutive win in the MJT Peewee Boys division. Winning by a narrow single-stroke lead, Kou attributed his victory to his improved performance, stating, “My irons were way better.”

 

1. Justin Chu (14), North York, ON | 69, 75 (144)       

2. Brennan Turner (14), Fenwick, ON | 81, 75 (156)  

3. Dustin Zhao (12), Maple, ON | 83, 78 (161)

 

Justin Chu, 14, from North York, ON, secured his second MJT title of the season with an impressive even-par finish. Looking back on his achievement, Chu stated, "I feel really happy. I had an amazing first round, but I had to really keep it together in round two. I hit the ball well off the tee." 

 

1. Dawson Dermatas (15), St. Catharines, ON | 77, 80 (157) *Won playoff

2. Josh Ye (15), Markham, ON | 80, 77 (157)  

3. Kris Gopisetty (16), Mississauga, ON | 78, 80 (158)

 

After both 15-year-old Dawson Dermatas from St. Catharines, ON, and Josh Ye, 15, of Markham ON, tied for the lead in MJT Juvenile Boys at 157 total score, Dermatas won the title in a thrilling finish on the first extra hole. “I feel amazing!” Dermatas said. “This was my first time going into a playoff and it was a great experience.” Reflecting on his performance, Dermatas added, “I think I had great bounce backs.” His skill throughout the tournament marked a memorable milestone with his first MJT win.
 

1. Tristan Zhang (15), Toronto, ON | 70, 76 (146)      

2. Nate Ditto (16), St. Catharines, ON | 77, 75 (152)  

3. Eddie McDonald (17), Elora, ON | 80, 78 (158)
 

In a standout performance while playing up a division, Tristan Zhang fired a opening round of 70 to end up winning his inaugural MJT Junior Boys title with a six stroke victory, also finishing as the Low Overall Boys leader. Recounting his success, Zhang noted, "I feel great." He added, "My putting was great. I made most putts inside 10 feet." 

 

East Coast Junior: Evelyn Li, Grace Mayer, Gerry Kou, Justin Chu, Dawson Dermatis, and Tristan Zhang

MJT Future Stars presented by ATB: Tristan Zhang

Golf Ontario U17 Exemptions: Tristan Zhang and Grace Mayer
 

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