Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

The Atlantic Canada circuit of the non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s #1 Junior Tour, took center stage under cloudy skies at the picturesque Kingswood Resort on August 3 in Fredericton, NB. With its masterfully bunkered design and wide-open fairways, the course provided the perfect backdrop for nearly 80 golfers competing in two events: the MJT Mini Tour for 12U and the Junior Tour for 19U. Results from the 12U tournament are highlighted below, showcasing the impressive depth of young golfing talent in the region. Competing across five divisions, the athletes vied not only for victory but also for qualification spots in the coveted MJT Mini Tour National Championship at Tsawwassen Springs Golf Course in Tsawwassen, BC, on August 30-31.

Notable performances resulted in division wins for Andrew MacDonald, 11, from Fall River, NS, in MJT Boys 11-12 (76), Brooke Shepard, 12, from Fredericton, NB, in MJT Girls 11-12 (112), Ryan Small, 10, of Winnipeg, MB, in MJT Boys 9-10 (72), Liliana Jokanovic, 10, of Grimsby, ON, in MJT Girls 9-10 (87), Callum Burge, 8, of Amherst, NS, in MJT Boys 8U (73) 

 

Top finisher scores, quotes from each division winner, and the list of qualified players are noted below. Full results are posted on the MJT website here.

 

The next and final MJT Mini Tour stop in the province is at Fredericton Golf Club in Fredericton, NB, on August 24, 2024. To register or for more information, please visit the MJT website at www.maplejt.com.

 

1. Liliana Jokanovic (10), Grimsby, ON | 87

2. Sophie Landry (10), Dieppe, NB | 104

3. Zoey Chishti (9), Fredericton, NB | 133

Liliana Jokanovic, a 10-year-old from Grimsby, ON, is taking her title back to Ontario after maintaining a commanding lead throughout the tournament. "I practiced with purpose, studying the yardage for each hole and preparing specifically for them," Jokanovic shared, revealing her meticulous strategy. Her secret to staying calm? "I think of a one-shot mindset and don’t worry too much. I just focus on my shot and what to do."
 

1. Brooke Shepard (12), Fredericton, NB | 112

Twelve-year-old Brooke Shepard from Fredericton, NB, faced the toughest competitor of all: herself! With no other contenders in her age division, Shepard's biggest challenge was maintaining focus. "I got good sleep and practiced," she said, proving that even solo, preparation is key. Her self-confidence soared, "confidence went from 5 to 9 on a 10 scale!" 
 

1. Callum Burge (8), Amherst, NS | 73

2. Tristan Breault (8), Dieppe, NB | 79

3. Will Boldon (8), Fredericton, NB | 82

Callum Burge, 8, from Amherst, NS, clinched his third MJT Boys 8U division win this season. "I play golf and practice with my dad all the time, and I played in the PGA Atlantic Pro Junior tournament last week," Burge shared, showcasing his dedication. Reflecting on the event, he added, "10 out of 10. It was a beautiful course."
 

1. Ryan Small (10), Winnipeg, MB | 72

2. Alex MacDonald (9), Fall River, NS | 77

3. Gabriel Lombard (10), Church Point, NS | 83

Ten-year-old Ryan Small from Winnipeg, MB, bagged his first MJT Boys 9-10 division win of the season by carding an impressive even par. When asked about his secret to success, Small kept it simple: "play golf." He added, "I focused on one shot at a time.”
 

1. Andrew MacDonald (11), Fall River, NS | 76

2. Drew Marchand (11), Upper Tantallon, NS | 81

3. Joe Ross (12), Fredericton, NB | 82

Andrew MacDonald, 11, from Fall River, NS, has done it again! Undefeated on the MJT this season, MacDonald is now 4 for 4. When asked about his secret, he modestly shared, "I just keep my head in the game and stay in my zone." With that winning streak, it’s safe to say MacDonald’s zone is the place to be!
 

Qualified Players
 

MJT Mini Tour National Championship (highest ranked player not already exempt): Liliana Jokanovic, Will Boldon, Alex MacDonald, Joe Ross
 

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