The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s number one Junior Tour, faced significant weather challenges at the
MJT Maui Jim Series held at Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club in Thornton, ON, over the June 22-23 weekend. This event, the fourth of six national events in the MJT Maui Jim Series, saw play suspended after nine holes on day one due to inclement weather, while unsettled conditions on day two continued to test the resilience and skills of the junior golfers. Despite these obstacles, the young athletes demonstrated remarkable perseverance and adaptability throughout the tournament.
The full field of juniors showcased strong performances across all six divisions. Alexis Card, 13, of Cambridge, ON, won Low Overall score for the girls along with the MJT Girls U15 title, while Sadiq Habib, 18, from Richmond Hill, ON, secured the Low Overall accolade for the boys and the MJT Junior Boys title. Both players are now shortlisted for Team MJT in the National Team Challenge in Fenwick, ON, this September.
The other high performing division winners were Sarah Xing, 12, of Richmond Hill, ON, in MJT Girls 15-19, Chi-Shen Lin, 12, from Toronto, ON, in MJT Peewee Boys, James Krula, 12, from Mississauga, ON, in MJT Bantam Boys, and Grayson Carter, 15, of Newton, ON, in the MJT Juvenile Boys division. Carter, along with Ethan Frost, 18, from Barrie, ON, were the eligible candidates to be shortlisted for MJT Team Canada to Australia, to compete in the Jack Newton International Junior Classic
Top finisher scores and quotes from the division winners, who each received a pair of fabulous Maui Jim sunglasses, are posted below, along with the list of qualified players. 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 MJT Junior Tour stop in the province is the MJT Zeal Series at Grey Silo Golf Club in Waterloo, ON, on July 13-14. For more information, please visit the website at
www.maplejt.com.
Top Finishers by Division
MJT Girls U15: Tangle Creek: Par 72, Ydg 5424, Slope/Rating 129/71.1
*Round 1 scores adjusted to reflect 9 holes (par 36)
1. Alexis Card (13), Cambridge, ON | 37, 76 (113)
2. Gracie Vescan (14), Mississauga, ON | 38, 86 (124)
3. Mona Zhao (12), Richmond Hill, ON | 42, 85 (127)
Alexis Card from Cambridge, ON, emerged victorious in the MJT Girls U15 Division and secured the Girls Low Overall title. "Everything was great—except for the weather," Card quipped, highlighting the less-than-ideal conditions. Despite the unpredictable elements, Card’s dedication shone through. "I have developed a practice routine to help improve my game," she explained. With her solid routine and a sense of humor, Card managed to outshine the competition and gloomy skies.
MJT Girls 15-19: Tangle Creek: Par 72, Ydg 5242, Slope/Rating 129/71.1
*Round 1 scores adjusted to reflect 9 holes (par 36)
1. Sarah Xing (12), Richmond Hill, ON | 36, 80 (116)
2. Ziqing (Judy) Lin (16), Markham, ON | 39, 84 (123)
3. Rachel Sidor (19), Stouffville, ON | 37, 87 (124)
Sarah Xing, 12, of Richmond Hill, ON, referenced a unique and effective strategy to secure her MJT Girls 15-19 win. "I slept well and ate well to energize myself, and I watched Chicago P.D. to keep myself distracted from the scores," Xing shared, highlighting her unconventional preparation methods. To keep nerves at bay during the competition, Xing revealed, "I talked to one of my groupmates, Judy, often to keep me from being nervous." With a blend of good rest, hearty meals, crime dramas, and a dash of friendly chatter, Xing's approach proved to be a winning formula.
MJT Peewee Boys: Tangle Creek: Par 72, Ydg 5242, Slope/Rating 119/66.3
*Round 1 scores adjusted to reflect 9 holes (par 36)
1. Chi-Shen Lin (12), Toronto, ON | 38, 76 (114)
2. Gerry Kou (12), Markham, ON | 35, 84 (119)
3. Isahak Kelechian (12), Laval, QC | 39, 88 (127)
Chi-Shen Lin, a 12-year-old from Toronto, ON, clinched victory in MJT Peewee Boys with a perfect blend of skill, strategy, and just the right amount of silence. "I prepared by practicing my irons and using my 15th club—my mind," Lin revealed, showcasing his unique approach to the game. When asked about his secret to staying focused on the course, Lin humorously confessed, "I focused by not talking too much." This combination of mental discipline and tactical prowess clearly paid off.
MJT Bantam Boys: Tangle Creek: Par 72, Ydg 5812, Slope/Rating 126/68.3
*Round 1 scores adjusted to reflect 9 holes (par 36)
1. James Krula (13), Mississauga, ON | 37, 75 (112)
2. Callum McDonald (14), Mount Forest, ON | 39, 77 (116)
3. Max Roppel (14), Kincardine, ON | 43, 77 (120)
With six birdies to cap off the weekend, 13-year-old James Krula brought the MJT Bantam Boys Division title home to Mississauga. Discussing his focus on the course, he shared that ‘always committing to the shot and only hitting when you’re ready’ is key. He added, “It can be tough during the closing stages, but I always try to stay focused. I think MJT is a great tour.”
MJT Juvenile Boys: Tangle Creek: Par 72, Ydg 6611, Slope/Rating 136/73.0
*Round 1 scores adjusted to reflect 9 holes (par 36)
1. Grayson Carter (15), Newton, ON | 35, 81 (116)
2. Logan Rossi (16), Virgil, ON | 41, 76 (117)
3. Ryan Broderick (16), Dundalk, ON | 37, 81 (118)
In a closely contested field, 15-year-old Grayson Carter from Newton, ON, edged out the competition to secure his first MJT Juvenile Boys Division title. “I put in lots of work on the course preparing for this event,” said Carter, adding that he ‘mapped the course on 18 Birdies which really helped me execute my shots.’ He also appreciated the support provided, noting, “great tee gifts and when the weather was a problem, everyone was so helpful.”
MJT Junior Boys: Tangle Creek: Par 72, Ydg 6611, Slope/Rating 136/73.0
*Round 1 scores adjusted to reflect 9 holes (par 36)
1. Sadiq Habib (18), Richmond Hill, ON | 39, 74 (113)
2. Ethan Frost (17), Barrie, ON | 40, 76 (116)
3. Ben Levick (17), Newmarket, ON | 39, 78 (117)
Eighteen-year-old Sadiq Habib from Richmond Hill, ON, delivered a strong performance to claim both the Low Overall and MJT Junior Boys Division titles. With an impressive eight birdies, Habib particularly dominated the back nine. “(This) win is unbelievable for the confidence and gives me a good idea for where my game is at for upcoming tournaments and what areas I need to improve on,” Habib stated. This achievement not only highlights Habib's current form but also sets a promising tone for his future competitions.
Qualified Players:
Team MJT at the National Team Challenge Short-Listed Position: Alexis Card and Sadiq Habib
MJT Team Canada to Australia (JNJG International) Short-Listed Position: Ethan Frost and Grayson Carter
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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