Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, renowned as Canada’s number one junior tour, descended upon The Club at Bond Head in Beeton, ON, this past weekend for the highly anticipated MJT Ontario Series. With a heavily weight-listed roster, competitors from Ontario, BC, and even New York braved relentless rain and wind to battle for titles in six divisions, with coveted custom MJT golf bags and the chance to be shortlisted for the prestigious National Team Challenge at Sawmill this September up for grabs. 

 

Excellent scores despite challenging conditions resulted in Low Overall Boy and Girl honours going to Evan Klein, 18, of Guelph, ON, winner of MJT Junior Boys (72,73=145) and Gloria Shen, 15, from Richmond Hill, ON, winner of MJT Girls 15-19 (84,80=164). Following their respective wins, both Klein and Shen have been short-listed for Team MJT at the National Team Challenge.
 

In a nail-biting showdown, 14-year-old Terrence Deng from Toronto and 16-year-old Eric Wen from Waterloo finished neck-and-neck in MJT Juvenile Boys, both posting an impressive score of 146 after two intense rounds of golf. The suspense mounted as the pair went head-to-head in a playoff, battling it out over two extra holes. With nerves of steel, Deng clinched victory, sinking par on both holes to claim the title.
 

Other leading performances led to division titles for Callum McDonald, 14, from Mount Forest, ON, in MJT Bantam Boys (146), Gracie Vescan, 14, of Mississauga, ON, in MJT Girls U15 (165), and Bennett Alexander, 12, from Mississauga, ON, in MJT Peewee Boys (164). 

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 Century Pines Golf Course, in Troy, ON, taking place August 17-18, 2024. For more information, please visit the MJT website at www.maplejt.com.

 

MJT Junior Boys: South Course: Par 72, Ydg 6533, Slope/Rating 124/71.5

1. Evan Klein (18), Guelph, ON | 72, 73 (145)

2. Nathan Le-Nguyen (16), Toronto, ON | 73, 73 (146)          

3. Peter Wojcicki (19), Guelph, ON | 73, 76 (149)

Evan Klein, an 18-year-old golf standout from Guelph, ON, secured a thrilling victory that is sure to propel him into the next chapter of his career. With university golf on the horizon, Klein shared, "This win is great going forward as I am starting my university golf in a few weeks and this win gives me a lot of confidence." Reflecting on the event, he couldn’t have been more pleased, stating, "This event was wonderful; I would give it a 10." Klein's impressive performance and high praise for the event mark a perfect culmination to an exciting season, setting him up for a successful transition to collegiate golf.

 

1. Gloria Shen (15), Richmond Hill, ON | 84, 80 (164)

2. Phoebe Li (15), Maple, ON | 81, 94 (175)

3. Alexandra Terminesi (17), Woodbridge, ON | 93, 97 (190)

Fifteen-year-old Gloria Shen from Richmond Hill, has struck the perfect chord with her latest victory, attributing her success as Low Overall and MJT Girls 15-19 winner to a blend of dedicated practice and personal mindfulness. Shen revealed, "I practice and pray," emphasizing the role of her spiritual and physical preparation. Adding a unique twist to her game, she shared, "I listen to so much music—the song lyrics are in my head, and when I feel stressed, I play music in my head." Shen’s innovative approach and impressive performance have led to a standout win.
            

MJT Girls U15: South Course: Par 72, Ydg 5291, Slope/Rating 120/70.6
1. Gracie Vescan (14), Mississauga, ON | 84, 81 (165)           

2. Danica Suckert (14), Cambridge, ON | 84, 92 (176)           

3. Yebeen Lee (12), Oakville, ON | 87, 90 (177)

Gracie Vescan, 14, from Mississauga, has clinched another victory in MJT Girls U15, showcasing her resilience and skill in challenging conditions. Facing fierce winds that tested her, Vescan shared, "Staying focused was super important as we were playing in super tough conditions with the wind. I took deep breaths and tried zoning into my shots." Her ability to conquer these obstacles has bolstered her confidence significantly. "This win makes me super confident for the rest of the season."

 

1. Terrence Deng (14), Toronto, ON | 71, 75 (146) *Won Playoff

2. Eric Wen (16), Waterloo, ON | 71, 75 (146)           

3. Alexander Battaglia (16), St. Thomas, ON | 80, 71 (151)

In an exciting finale, 14-year-old Terrence Deng from Toronto, ON, emerged victorious in a playoff, securing the MJT Juvenile Boys title after a dramatic tie with Eric Wen, 16, from Waterloo, ON, after both finished at 146. The excitement intensified as Deng sealed his win after two extra holes, showcasing nerves of steel and unwavering focus. Reflecting on his success, Deng said, "I just trust my decisions and make sure I am fully committed to each shot I take." He attributed his triumph to his relentless dedication, adding, "This win is a result of all of the hours of practice I've put in."
 

MJT Bantam Boys: South Course: Par 72, Ydg 5895, Slope/Rating 120/68.3
1. Callum McDonald (14), Mount Forest, ON | 72, 74 (146)  

2. Brennan Turner (14), Fenwick, ON | 73, 78 (151)

3. Oscar Lin (13), Markham, ON | 73, 80 (153)

Fourteen-year-old Callum McDonald from Mount Forest, ON, dazzled with an exceptional performance, recording six birdies over two rounds to secure a standout win in MJT Bantam Boys. McDonald noted, "I practiced every day and just tried to not get ahead of myself." Embracing a relaxed mindset with the mantra, "whatever happens, happens," he demonstrated remarkable composure and skill. McDonald also praised the event, saying, "It was run very smoothly and was at a great course."

MJT Peewee Boys: South Course: Par 72, Ydg 5291, Slope/Rating 112/65.3

1. Bennett Alexander (12), Mississauga, ON | 84, 80 (164)    

2. Hudson Lockwood (12), Oakville, ON | 84, 83 (167)           

3. Wilson Zhou (12), Toronto, ON | 88, 88 (176)

Bennett Alexander, a 12-year-old from Mississauga, has achieved his first win of the season, proving that passion and a playful mindset can lead to great success. With a refreshing attitude towards the game, Alexander shared, "I just try to not think of the position I am in and just play golf for fun." This victory not only highlights his impressive skills but also boosts his confidence. "To win a tournament helps me be more confident in myself," he added.

 

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