Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

A fierce display of talent on Canada’s premier junior golf tour played out over three days from September 13-15 at the 2024 MJT National Team Challenge presented by Canada Life at Sawmill Golf Course in Fenwick, ON. The 54-hole WAGR-ranked Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour event, which featured provincial and interclub teams battling for national supremacy, lived up to its billing with stellar performances on the top-notch facility of Sawmill Golf Course, which generously treated the juniors in spectacular fashion.

 

Among the many highlights event was the determined performance by Rattlesnake Point Academy (#2) to defend their title from last year. They did so in style, clinching another victory as the top team in the Challenge with an impressive collective score of 871 (296, 288, 287), enough to edge out 11 other teams. Coach Rich Storey expertly led the first-place squad, guiding the talented group of Matthew Simpson (Etobicoke, ON), Connor Campbell (Burlington, ON), Luke Olenyk (Toronto, ON), Will Van Dyk (Oakville, ON), and sisters Nobelle and Kaprice Park (Oakville, ON) to another triumphant finish.
 

Runner-up with daily totals of 298, 299, 284 (881) was Team MJT West, made up of Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour members, Connor Wenig (Camrose, AB), Parker Riou (Strathmore, AB), Ryan LePrieur (Langley, BC), Harrison Kiziak (Fort Saskatchewan, AB), Coryn Tardif (Sylvan Lake, AB), and Charlie Duchnij (Airdrie, AB), who had all qualified provincially to make the travelling team. Under the leadership of MJT Coach, Luke Rundell, the team showcased remarkable unity and individual excellence, their combined effort earning them an impressive second-place finish.
 

Third place with scores of 291, 306, 293 (890) was Team MJT East, made up of Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour members Jaiden Brown (Newcastle, ON), Will Burleigh (Grimsby, ON), Jett Metaxas (Stoney Creek, ON), John Kingdon (Grimsby, ON), Judy Lin (Markham, ON), and Evelyn Li (Mississauga, ON), who had qualified provincially to make the team. Guided by MJT Coach, Gary Byrne, the team maintained a high level of competitiveness throughout the weekend for a well-deserved third-place finish.

 

In individual play, the Boys division spotlight fell on Brayden Card, 15, from Cambridge, ON, who fired brilliant rounds of 73, 68, and 66 to clinch the Low Overall Boy Champion’s title by one stroke over Ryan LePrieur, 16, from Langley, BC.  “I’ve been putting a lot of work in on the putting green, which paid off this weekend,” said Card. “Winning this tournament means a lot!”

 

Meanwhile, in the individual Girls division, 14-year-old Nobelle Park of Oakville, ON, successfully defended her 2023 title in an unforgettable showdown against her sister, Kaprice Park. Both girls had posted stellar scores to finished tied for the lead at 215 after three days: Nobelle fired 74, 72, 69, and Kaprice, 75, 68, 72, forcing the match into a dramatic playoff. In a sibling rivalry for the ages, Nobelle emerged victorious, securing the Low Overall Girls title. “This tournament means a lot to me, especially because I won a playoff against my sister,” said Park. “I worked hard on my distance control on the greens and off the tee, and it really paid off.”

 

Canada Life has sponsored the unique MJT National Team Challenge for many years, and once again the event delivered on its reputation as one of the country’s top junior golf events, continuing to foster the development of future Canadian golf stars. Full Individual results, Closest-to-the-Pin, Long Drive winners and a photo gallery can be viewed on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour website here. Team results are posted here.

As the 2024 MJT Ontario season wraps up, the MJT sends a heartfelt thank you to all members, participants, families, and sponsors for an incredible year. Early Bird Memberships for 2025 will be available starting in December. For more details, visit MJT online at www.maplejt.com.

 

About Canada Life: Founded in 1847, The Canada Life Assurance Company was Canada’s first domestic life insurance company. For more than 170 years, our customers across Canada have trusted us to provide for their financial security needs and to deliver on the promises we have made. Today, Canada Life provides insurance and wealth management products and services in Canada, the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Germany, and in Ireland through Irish Life.  See more here.

 

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