Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

Under hot, sunny skies, nearly 90 junior golfers on Canada’s number one Junior Golf Tour descended on Sawmill Golf Course in Fenwick, ON, over the July 20-21 weekend. This picturesque course, set to host the MJT National Team Challenge this September, showcased a new wave of young talent on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, and the only thing hotter than the weather was the intensity of the competition.
 

Players in the tournament competed across six divisions for custom MJT golf bag prizes and the chance to be shortlisted for the National Team Challenge back at Sawmill this September. 

In a MJT Junior Boys showdown of epic proportions, Evan Klein, 18, from Guelph, ON, and Sam Theissler from Barrie, ON, also 18, went into a playoff after both shot 76,73 to tie for the lead at 149. Klein nailed a 30-foot putt for birdie, claiming the playoff victory.

 

In the MJT Juvenile Boys division, Spencer Shropshire, 16, of Ramara, ON, fired excellent scores of 71,68=139 to win the title and Low Overall honours for Boys, while MJT Girls 15-19 winner, Evelyn Li, 14, of Mississauga, ON, took Low Overall for Girls after blazing her way around the course shooting 69,73=142. Following their respective wins, both Shropshire and Li have been short-listed for Team MJT in the National Team Challenge.

 

Other top performances resulted in division wins for Gracie Vescan, 12, from Mississauga, ON, in MJT Girls U15 (147), Oscar Lin, 13, of Markham, ON, in MJT Bantam Boys (150), and Kaige Zhu, 11, of Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, in MJT Peewee Boys (141). 
 

Top finisher scores and quotes from the division winners are noted 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 Ontario Series at Settler's Ghost Golf Course, in Barrie, July 27-28, 2024. For more information, please visit the MJT website at www.maplejt.com.

 

 

MJT Peewee Boys: Sawmill GC: Par 71, Ydg 5189, Slope/Rating 116/65.5

1. Kaige Zhu (11), Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON | 70, 71 (141)    

2. Gerry Kou (12), Markham, ON | 76, 76 (152)         

3. Mark Luan (12), Toronto, ON | 82, 78 (160)           

3. Max Sue (11), Markham, ON | 79, 81 (160)

 

Eleven-year-old Kaige Zhu from Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, has cracked the code for tournament success: practice, family support, and unshakeable confidence. “I prepared for this tournament by practicing every day,” Zhu revealed. When asked about his winning formula, he added, “I stayed focused knowing my family was supporting me.” 

 

1. Oscar Lin (13), Markham, ON | 77, 73 (150)           

2. Ethan Tan (13), Oakville, ON | 78, 75 (153)            

2. Dustin Zhao (12), Maple, ON | 77, 76 (153)

 

Oscar Lin, a 13-year-old from Markham, ON, doubled down on his success with his second win of the season. "Preparing for this tournament, I grinded many putts to ensure my victory this week. This would pay off today, as I made many vital putts," Oscar shared. Reflecting on his triumph, he added, "This (win) means I am more used to being under pressure." 

MJT Juvenile Boys: Sawmill GC: Par 71, Ydg 6572, Slope/Rating 128/71.8

1. Spencer Shropshire (16), Ramara, ON | 71, 68 (139)         

2. Andrew Burciul (16), Thorold, ON | 72, 77 (149)

3. Jett Metaxas (14), Stoney Creek, ON | 77, 73 (150)

Sixteen-year-old Spencer Shropshire from Ramara, ON, has done it again, securing his second consecutive title and proving why he's an MJT podium superstar with two exceptional rounds of 71 and 68 (139). Sharing his winning wisdom, Shropshire advised, "Stay within yourself, only focus on yourself." He added, "This win gives me more confidence for the rest of the year." 

 

1. Evan Klein (18), Guelph, ON | 76, 73 (149) *Won playoff  

2. Sam Theissler (18), Barrie, ON | 76, 73 (149)         

3. Nate Ditto (16), St. Catharines, ON | 74, 79 (153)

 

Evan Klein, 18, from Guelph, ON, and Sam Theissler, 18, from Barrie, ON, finished tied at 149, setting the stage for a showdown. Klein clinched the win on the first extra hole with a jaw-dropping 30-foot birdie putt. When asked about his focus, Klein revealed, "I really zoned in on my putting." And as for the win? "It means a lot! It’s my first MJT win ever. It’s very special, especially winning in a playoff." 

 

MJT Girls U15: Sawmill GC: Par 72, Ydg 5189, Slope/Rating 125/70.9
1. Gracie Vescan (14), Mississauga, ON | 77, 70 (147)           

2. Krisline Truong (13), Mississauga, ON | 84, 77 (161)          

3. Yebeen Lee (12), Oakville, ON | 91, 84 (175)

Gracie Vescan, 14, from Mississauga, ON, left the competition in her wake with a solid performance. "Mentally, I told myself that I am going to try to score my personal best," Vescan shared, revealing her winning mindset. "I kept a smooth tempo as I swing." This victory was extra sweet for Vescan: "This win means a lot as I was able to shoot 70 for my first time ever!" 

MJT Girls 15-19: Sawmill GC: Par 72, Ydg 5189, Slope/Rating 125/70.9

1. Evelyn Li (14), Mississauga, ON | 69, 73 (142)        

2. Sierra Kowalyshyn (15), Stoney Creek, ON | 73, 70 (143)  

3. Ziqing (Judy) Lin (16), Markham, ON | 75, 74 (149)
 

In a display of poise and precision, 14-year-old Evelyn Li from Mississauga, ON, clinched victory by a single stroke, helped by an exceptional first-round score of 3-under par, 69. "I stay focused by trying to stay present. I try not to think about the last hole or my final score," said Li, revealing her strategy for success. "I just concentrate on my target and execute my shot." Her strategy clearly paid off, leading her to a well-deserved win.

 

Qualified Players: Team MJT at the National Team Challenge Short-Listed Position: Evelyn Li and Spencer Shropshire

 

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