Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) wrapped up the Ontario Mini Tour season in style with the third and final of the MJT VOVEX Golf Series, held at Whispering Ridge Golf Course in Brooklin, ON, on August 24. After a season marked by unpredictable weather, the final event was blessed with fantastic conditions, setting the stage for talented juniors aged 12 and under to compete across six divisions. With the last chance to qualify for the 2025 Champion of Champions World Invitational in Ross Inner, Enniskillen, UK, on the line, the young golfers delivered a great finale.

VOVEX Golf, a pioneering Canadian brand in the golf rangefinder market, were on site to support the young players. Fine scoring led to division titles won by Niklas Zierik, 11, from Collingwood, ON, in MJT Boys 11-12 (80), Sophia Noh, 10, from Richmond Hill, ON, in MJT Girls 11-12 (78), Derek Zhao, 10, of Maple, ON, in MJT Boys 9-10 (72), Brinley Lau, 10, of Toronto, ON, in MJT Girls 9-10 (78), Ethan Cai, 8, from North York, ON, in MJT Boys 8U (91), and Lanai Park, 8, of Oakville, ON, in MJT Girls 8U (77).
 

Top scorers who were not already qualified for the 2025 Champion of Champions World Invitational are listed below along with scores and quotes from the division winners. Full results are posted on the MJT website.

 

As the 2024 MJT Mini Tour season in Ontario comes to a close, we want to thank our members, participants, families, and sponsors for an incredible year. Early Bird Memberships for 2025 will be available in December; more information on the program can be found online at www.maplejt.com.
 

1. Lanai Park (8), Oakville, ON | 77     

2. Islay Oh (8), Toronto, ON | 92        

3. Grace Black (8), Paris, ON | 111

Lanai Park, 8, from Oakville, ON, kept her winning streak alive, staying on course in the winner's circle with another impressive performance. Bursting with enthusiasm, she rated the tournament, "10/10!! You are the best!" Park summed up her success simply with, "I just try my best."

 

1. Brinley Lau (10), Toronto, ON | 78

2. Matea Boras (9), Burlington, ON | 88         

3. Cassandra Smith (9), Brampton, ON | 97

Ten-year-old Brinley Lau from Toronto, ON, maintained a commanding lead throughout the round, showcasing her hard work and mental focus. "I practiced a lot and tried to stay positive no matter where my ball goes," she shared. "I imagine that I'm playing a fun round with my dad and friends.”
 

1. Sophia Noh (10), Richmond Hill, ON | 78

Sophia Noh, 10, from Richmond Hill, ON, had to battle her toughest competitor – herself, in the MJT Girls 11-12 division. "I just kept my swing the same and tried not to think anything negative," she explained. Her secret to staying relaxed? "I would just take a nap in my car," she explained, a unique approach that paid off in style.
 

1. Ethan Cai (8), North York, ON | 91  

2. Griffin Mott (7), Elora, ON | 95

Ethan Cai, an eight-year-old from North York, ON, clinched his third division win of the season with a composed performance. "I prepare for this tournament by practicing the day before and telling myself to play normal," shared Cai, whose consistency on the course continues to shine.
 

1. Derek Zhao (10), Maple, ON | 72    

2. Jax Vescan (10), Mississauga, ON |  83        

3. Jaxon Mitchell (10), Burlington, ON | 86

Ten-year-old Derek Zhao from Maple, ON, soared to victory with two birdies, displaying his poise under pressure. "This win made me feel happy, and my plans are to keep on practicing to improve more," said Zhao, who credits his calm and focused mindset for his success.
 

1. Niklas Zierik (11), Collingwood, ON | 80     

2. Miles Cousineau (11), Toronto, ON | 85     

2. Cooper Pameli (12), North York, ON | 85

Niklas Zierik, 11, from Collingwood, ON, showcased both mental and physical preparation during his round, saying, "Mentally, I made sure to stay calm and not overthink anything. Physically, I've been doing yoga and stretching every day for a while." Trusting his caddy, who happens to be his dad, Niklas focused on playing it safe, saying, "I didn’t worry about my score—I just played golf."
 

Champion of Champions World Invitational qualified players: Lanai Park, Brinley Lau, Sophia Noh

Derek Zhao, Niklas Zierik

About VOVEX Golf: VOVEX, a pioneering Canadian brand in the golf rangefinder market, stands out for its blend of youthful elegance and cutting-edge technology. Our expert team is committed to delivering devices that are not only technologically advanced but also reliable and stylish, aiming to elevate your golf experience. With VOVEX, embrace the thrill of every challenge and the joy of each successful stroke on the golf course, trusted on the Professional Tour. Discover precision and excellence at www.vovexgolf.com

 

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